Page 25 of The Tantalizing of a Scandalous Rake

“You cannot continue to take their swill after they threatened you, Rosie.”

Hands to her hips, she lifted her chin. “You cannot tell me what to do. This is my inn.”

“Dear God, even after what he said you would—”

“It is not as easy as all that, Adam. I have to get my ale from somewhere. With any luck, my refusal to take Gerald’s ale shall give him a kick up the behind and he’ll cease watering it down.”

“With any luck,” Adam muttered.

“I cannot rely on having you here to guard me. We are lucky he did not decide to fight you. You are still in no condition and once you are fully healed you shall be gone.”

“I could have taken him if needed,” he muttered. “And who is to say I shall leave?”

“Surely you have lordly things to do? Balls to attend?” She waved a hand. “Whatever it is the nobility does these days.”

He cocked his head. “You are saying I would choose balls instead of protecting you?”

“I do not need protecting!”

“Seems to me, you do.”

She ran a hand over her face and pressed a hot breath through her teeth. Everything felt so muddled and confused since he had...

Well, she could not think on it without her entire body heating. She wanted him, yet she did not. She would inevitably slip the longer he stayed and eventually she’d want more.

Why would she not? He worked hard, was funny and witty and clever and kind. Not to mention handsome and skilled in the bedroom. It did not matter how strong her will of independence was, Adam could crack through if she did not strengthen them.

“Why are you even in the lakes anyway?” she demanded. “I thought you and your brothers rarely spent time here.”

“Someone has been inquiring about me it seems.” He gave a wry smile.

Actually, Harriet had been the one to gather the gossip, but Rosie could not deny she listened quite eagerly when Harriet had spoken of the brothers.

“I run an inn, Adam. There is always gossip.”

“About me?”

“Well, not really,” she admitted. “Just curious as to why you are here. They say it is because there are lots of ladies here but I do not believe for one moment you are inclined to wed such as your brothers have.”

“You are correct.” He moved closer. “Can a man not take in the country air and beautiful scenery?” His gaze darkened when he put hands to her shoulders.

She should have flinched from his touch. He was hiding something. She’d been privy to enough secrets during her time as an innkeeper to understand when a man might try to skirt a sensitive subject.

Maybe he really was here for a wife—a sweet, genteel woman and she was merely a diversion—but she could not fathom a man such as Adam settling for such a match. Whatever it was he kept from her, it was another warning sign. Another reason for her to strengthen her fortress.

But instead, she found herself lifting her chin, meeting his gaze and letting the predictable flow of desire hum through her. Her throat dried while she took in his features and felt the heat of his fingers penetrating the fabric of her sleeves. How easy it would be to get lost again. To kiss him and touch him and forget ale or threats or marriages or secrets.

Rosie jumped back when the door swung open. Harriet paused in the doorway as Adam darted back and raised his fists.

Rosie shook her head and put a hand to his fist to lower it. “It isn’t them.”

“Who?” Harriet’s wide gaze darted between them.

“I told Gerald we would not take his ale and he is not happy about it.”

Harriet’s mouth formed an o shape. “I can imagine. But his ale is terrible these days. We always get complaints.”

Rosie sighed. “I know. But we only have a few barrels left.”

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