Page 10 of The Princess and the Rogue

The gentleman shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.” He stepped aside and held the door wide for Tess and Jenny to leave.

With no other option, they scurried out, and Anya’s heart thumped in her chest as the man closed the door behind them with a click. Half the room still separated them, but a fizzle of something—not quite fear, more like awareness—prickled under her skin.

Anya held her ground as he prowled toward her. His gaze travelled down her body and back up in a slow, simmering appraisal, lingering for a long moment on her lips, and he let out a short, almost surprised laugh of disbelief.

“Well. I must admit I was skeptical when I heard men swear that Mrs. Haye offered the finest girls in London. But now I see it was nothing short of the truth.”

He took another step closer, and Anya caught a hint of a subtle, masculine scent that made her stomach do another little flip.

His dark eyes met hers. “I’m not a man who wavers over a decision. And considering where we are, I know you don’t need pretty words or meaningless platitudes. Name your price.”

Chapter 6.

Anya was momentarily rendered speechless. She drew herself up, noting that this man was a good head and shoulders taller than herself. Her eyes were level with the diamond pin that sparkled in the folds of his cravat.

“I’m afraid you are mistaken, sir. There’s no amount of money that would induce me to entertain you.”

A flash of something that could have been annoyance, or merely amusement, flared in his eyes. “Oh, come now. There’s no need for games. Just tell me how much. I’ll pay Mrs. Haye, and we’ll both go upstairs.”

Anya could scarcely believe her ears. The part of her that wasn’t rooted to the spot with amazement and irritation was, paradoxically, rather flattered that he seemed so determined to engage her services. A wicked, impish impulse compelled her to say, “And what if I said a night with me would cost you five hundred pounds?”

“Then I would pay it.”

She jerked her shocked gaze to his—and realized he was entirely serious.

Whowasthis man? Jenny had called him “my lord.” He must be both as rich as Croesus, andout of his senses, to squander such an exorbitant sum on one night with a stranger.

This close, she could see the sensual fullness of his lips, the faint hint of dark stubble on his jaw. Her pulse pounded in her throat.

The corner of his mouth quirked up as he leaned closer, as if to impart some choice piece of gossip. “I feel compelled to point out that I don’t actually require your company for the whole night.” His gaze flicked over her features like a caress. “A couple of rather intense hours should accomplish everything I have in mind.”

Anya’s corset seemed inordinately tight. Even the most forward of rakes in the Russian court hadn’t been so direct.

“I’m sure we’ll find ourselves compatible,” he murmured. “But perhaps we should check?”

He stepped closer. It was a matter of pride that she didn’t step back. Soon, barely an inch separated them and the air seemed to thicken, to hum. His dark gaze held hers in challenge as he lifted his hand and stroked his fingers lightly across her cheek.

He’d removed his gloves. Hot and cold prickled where he touched, like snow crystals landing on her skin.

He spread his fingers and slid them along her jaw, his thumb tilting her chin a little higher, and Anya had no doubt she was being seduced by an expert. Her breath was coming in shallow pants, and she didn’t have an ounce of willpower to resist.

Not that she wanted to. Excitement made her stomach swoop as his warm breath sloughed across her cheek. This was too good an opportunity to miss. The man was clearly a rogue, but why deny herself the adventure of allowing him to kiss her? She was both curious and intrigued.

His lips touched hers, neither tentative nor impatient, just the perfect weight, and Anya closed her eyes. He kissed her again, a little firmer this time, and she parted her lips instinctively. His low murmur of approval sent a shiver down her spine.

When he slid his tongue against her lips, her knees almost gave out. Men had tried to kiss her this way before, but she’d always pulled back, repelled. But this, this wasglorious. He wasn’t conscious of rank, afraid to offend. He was simply a man, showing a woman his desire.

His teeth caught the fullness of her lower lip in a playful tug and the delicious sensation sent jolts of heat spearing through her body. Anya rose up on tiptoe, caught the lapels of his jacket, and pulled him down, returning the swirl of his tongue with artless enthusiasm. He tasted like brandy. Like sin. She wanted to keep on doing this forever.

The click of the door barely registered in her mind, but his reflexes were clearly better than hers. He dropped his hand and stepped away with a cool rush of air. By the time Charlotte swept into the room like a lilac-clad angel, a perfectly acceptable distance separated them.

He turned with an ease that belied the throbbing tension in the room. Anya took a flustered step back and sucked in a steadying breath.Good God! What was she doing?

“Lord Mowbray!” Charlotte’s smile was radiant as she held out her hand in greeting. He bowed low over it. “Welcome. We’ve not had the honor of your company here before. But I’m confident we’ll be able to cater to your every need. I see you’ve met my good friend, Miss Brown?”

The man turned back to Anya and his lips twitched in amusement. “We hadn’t got as far as introductions.”

“Oh, well, in that case, Miss Anna Brown, the Earl of Mowbray.”

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