Page 5 of Seduced By the Rakish Duke

Jenny swallowed. Fire and ash mixed with the scent of whisky flooded her senses, obliterating any coherent thought she had. “I… uh, well, I…”

She chastised herself inwardly.

Come on, Jenny, get your head together. He’s going to think you’re a complete dolt.

The man smiled and let his gaze fall to the rest of her before returning to her eyes. “Also, I highly doubt anyone could forget you were in a room they were in.”

Jenny silently thanked God for the low light that hid her blush. No man had ever stood this close to her and evoked such feelings within her. His words slid over her skin like silk, and she found herself wanting more.

“I assure you…” She laughed. “There are many people who would love to forget my presence.”

The man inhaled deeply as if he were memorizing her scent. It made goosebumps break out all over her skin.

“Imbeciles,” he whispered.

Jenny’s eyes widened as the compliment registered. She tried desperately to control her breathing, but he was standing too close. His eyes were too intense.

Did he intend to kiss her? Was this how she would experience her first kiss? In a darkened library, with a mysterious stranger?

He leaned in again, and she found her body mirroring the movement. She tilted her head towards him, her heart and mind racing with possibilities.

However, just before their lips touched, he stepped to the side. Without another word, he turned around and made his way towards the door. “I suggest you be more careful in the future, kitten. You never know who is hiding in the corner.”

His hand reached for the doorknob, and Jenny felt a sudden twinge of regret. She was desperate to keep the conversation going. This was the most alive she’d felt in a while, and she didn’t want it to end.

“If this conversation is proof, then I shall have no problem handling the next darkened room I enter.” She crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping she baited him enough into staying.

He stopped and let out a laugh. The low rumble went straight to her center and had her knees trembling. He stood just outside a stream of moonlight that cut the room in half. How she wished he took a single small step to his right so she could see what he truly looked like. She could tell his face was well-defined, but her mind was desperate for more information.

“You are a feisty kitten, aren’t you?”

The term of endearment did things to her insides that she only read about in books.

Jenny smiled. Her heart flipped, knowing the conversation would continue just a little bit longer. “I’ve been known to stand on my own two feet if the situation calls for it.”

She mentally cheered her ability to respond. Maybe she was capable of handling such situations.

His low laugh tickled her core again—she had to bite her lip from smiling too wide. They fell silent for a few seconds, yet no one moved. Jenny’s body was buzzing from the electricity that hummed between them.

“So, tell me, kitten, what would you do if a man approached you again?”

Jenny swallowed. She felt as if this was some sort of trick, but her foolish heart wanted to test the waters. “I would remain calm and ask if there was something he needed.”

The man’s eyes narrowed in interest as he slowly made his way back towards her. “Ah. What if this man has bad intentions and does not want to share his thoughts for fear of scaring you off?” His voice was full of mirth, but there was an underlying tone of danger.

Jenny licked her lips. Fear mixed with exhilaration coursed through her. “I would insist that he be a true gentleman and tell me his real intentions.”

“Oh, well, if youinsist,hehasto tell you then.” He lazily trailed one long finger over the backs of the chairs he passed.

Jenny heard the mocking in his voice and squared her shoulders. He was intentionally being insufferable.

She raised an eyebrow. “Ifyourintention is to mock me, then this conversation is over.”

He continued to pursue her, holding her gaze, not allowing her to break that connection. The playfulness and intrigue that once held her interest were quickly disappearing as her fear won out.

A smile slowly spread across his chiseled face. “Ah. There are your true feelings,” he quipped, acknowledging the change in her demeanor. “You shouldbe afraid to be alone with any man, no matter what he says. I assure you, there’s only one reason why a man wants to be alone with a woman, and it is not to read a book,” he said, nodding towards the books that surrounded them.

He stopped in front of her, crowding her. His tall frame towered over her, and she lifted her chin in order to meet his eyes.

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