Page 14 of Impeccable
“One of the reasons Lucien started the Phoenix Club and why I agreed to support the endeavor was that he wanted to help people. He would offer anything to someone in need.”
“Why? He doesn’t know me.”
“Because he’s the kindest person I know. I assure you, he has no ulterior motive.”
“I look forward to getting to know him. Do I get to flirt with you now?”
Evie laughed, causing Ash to startle. He lifted his head and yawned. “Sorry to wake you, sweet lad.” She stroked his head until he settled back down.
Contemplating how to begin, she wondered if he even needed her help when he had her hanging on his every word and wishing he would chance to touch her again. “You have me thinking about the art of flirtation and how everyone responds to it. What works for some won’t work for others. But I suppose that’s what makes it an art and is how people find their match—you’re either drawn to that person and their manner or not. Perhaps this is a futile exercise. You should just be yourself, and doing so will attract the best partner for you.”
“You’ve a thoughtful, intelligent mind, Mrs. Renshaw. Just the same, I think I’d like you to teach me the basics of general flirting. I understand it may be whatyouwould respond to. I am more than content with that.” His gaze met hers, and she realized she was responding to just him looking at her. Rather, it was the way in which he was doing so, as if he wanted to touch her as much as she desired him to.
She desperately needed to cool this heat surging between them, but if she were to teach him to flirt, she ought to flirt with him. “A demonstration is in order, I think,” she said demurely, holding his gaze as her lips curved into a provocative smile. “This is one way to flirt.”
He swallowed and didn’t look away. “How is that?”
“Eye contact.” She glanced toward the road. “Though in this particular setting, you may wish to look at where you are driving, at least periodically.”
He muttered something indistinguishable under his breath and jerked his head forward. “My apologies,” he said in a louder tone.
“It’s quite all right. We are having a lesson. You can see how exchanging looks can be stirring. There are different ways of using your eyes to convey interest and to flirt.”
Glancing her way, his eyes held a fervent sheen. “What ways are those?”
“If you look at a lady many times throughout an evening—or whatever the occasion is—that will signal you are interested. Lingering looks are another way.”
“Is that what you just did?” he asked.
“Yes, along with applying intensity.”
He nodded. “It seemed urgent that I continue to look into your eyes.”
Evie laughed. “Then I was successful. However, I should not have distracted you from your task. We’ll save further lessons on that front until you are no longer driving.”
“An excellent idea. What else can you teach me now?”
“There is conversation, of course. Depending on what you hope to achieve, you can choose words and a manner of speaking to flirt.”
“Achieve…I hadn’t considered that. I suppose my aim would be to simply spend time with the lady, to get to know her better and determine if we would suit. What else would there be?”
“Some men flirt for more…scandalous reasons. They hope to steal a kiss. Or more.” In truth, it wasmostmen in her experience. “A great many men seek to have a bit of sport and nothing more.”
His lips pressed together, and his eyes narrowed slightly. “I understand. I was looking at this with mostly myself in mind. I am well aware that some men—too many of them, in fact—seek to take more than they should from a woman.”
She heard the anger in his voice, and damn if that didn’t have the same effect as flirtation on her. “Have you witnessed this?”
“More often than I would like to admit. I am embarrassed to say that it took me a while to step in on a woman’s behalf.”
“When you did, was your interference welcome?”
He shot her a look of surprise. “Not always. And I can’t claim to understand why.”
Because just as some men were eager to satisfy their baser urges, women were not immune to those desires. Or, perhaps more accurately, they were not able to decline—for a variety of reasons.
“Women sometimes make choices because they feel they have to, that there is no other way. It was good of you to try,” she said softly. “Now, where were we? Conversation, I believe. If you are just getting to know a lady, I recommend listening carefully and looking for things you have in common. Speaking with her about subjects that are of interest to you both will allow for natural flirtation. I daresay you already do this without realizing.”
“Did I last night?”
