Page 20 of The Tantalizing of a Scandalous Rake

“You deserve better, damn it.”

Rosie threw up her hands. “Better than what? A life of independence? My own living? Would you have me become the mistress of some rich patron perhaps?”

“No, of course not.”

“Because we both know that is all I am good for.”

“Do not say that,” he said through clenched teeth.

She tilted her head. “Adam...”

“You deserve everything, Rosie.”

“Well, perhaps I do not want everything.” A lie, perhaps. Her life satisfied her, for the most part. Why would it not? At least it had until Adam arrived.

“Rosie—”

She held up a hand. “It matters not. The point still stands. How can I expect my patrons to respect me if you are jumping in to fight my battles?”

“Would that you had no battles to fight.”

She smiled. “This is a tavern, Adam. Where men and alcohol mix. It shall never be a peaceful living. If you do not like it, you are free to leave.”

His posture stiffened. “My wound...”

“Yes, your wound,” she said dryly. “Which you forgot about today. You will be in pain tomorrow.”

“I can protect you.”

“I know it might be strange to you but I do not want protection. I simply want a peaceful living.”

He shook his head, a vague smile upon his lips. “So long as you look like that, Rosie—” he gestured up and down her “—your life shall never be peaceful.”

She’d heard hundreds, maybe thousands of comments on her appearance before. It should be nothing new. Yet, somehow, when Adam mentioned her attractiveness she actually…liked it?

Lord, even her cheeks felt warm.

Adam inched forward, closing the gap between them. “Why are you so terrified of depending on someone, Rosie?”

“Terrified?” She shook her head. “I am not scared. Would I command all these men if I were scared?”

“Rosie, be honest with me for but a moment.”

“I am honest. I’m always honest.”

“Except with yourself.”

Well, if she allowed that, she would stop and wonder quite why her attraction to Adam pulled so hard at her heart. And she certainly could not let that happen.

He moved closer and she took a step back, her rear bumping upon the kitchen table, making the empty tankards rattle upon it.

“Be honest, Rosie, what do you want?” he murmured, bringing his body close to hers.

“I want…” She set her jaw with every intention of pushing him away but she saw his eyes darken and felt the flush of heat roll through her.

She wanted something for herself. A kiss, a touch. But if she admitted that, there might be no going back. Her parents left her—and she understood and even encouraged them too. But Adam would do the same too and she could not guarantee he wouldn’t take a part of her strength with him too. She needed that to get through every day of running the inn.

Chapter Eight

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