Page 22 of A Rogue's Rules for Seduction
“I’ve got it,” the baron insisted, even as the bottles slipped in his grip.
“Give over.” Dom strode up, untying his neckcloth.
“I can assure you that the wine bottles don’t need sartorial assistance,” Baron Hunsdon asserted.
Dom rolled his eyes. “I’m not trying to fancy them up.”
He whipped off his neckcloth—revealing an expanse of bare, olive skin—and quickly knotted the fabric. For such large hands, they moved swift and deft as he tied the linen into intricate loops. Then he took the wine from Baron Hunsdon and slipped the bottles into what became evident was a makeshift sling that supported their precious cargo.
“Safe as a babe in a cradle,” he said, handing the contraption back to the baron.
“How did you learn to do that?” Mr. Longbridge asked admiringly.
Dom’s smile was small and wry. “Can’t earn your coin on the London docks without knowing your way around a few knots.”
“How... handy.” Willa’s voice sounded even more breathless than the strenuous climb would warrant. But she couldn’t stop looking at Dom’s naked throat, and her mindinsistedon thinking of all the wonderful, clever things his oversized hands could do to her body.
He caught her staring at him. But he didn’t jeer. Instead, his eyes darkened, and he said in a husky voice, “I’m very good with my hands.”
“Evidently.” Despite the brisk wind that stung her face, her cheeks warmed.
No, no, no.Lusting after Dom ranked high onthe list of terrible ideas, including Pandora deciding to have one little peek inside that box.
“At least the wine is safe.” Despite the breeze whipping around them, her words sounded too loud. “This climb has made me dreadfully thirsty. And hungry.”
Inwardly, she grimaced. Good Lord, could she sound more brainless?
If Dom noticed that she was behaving like the veriest ninny, he didn’t say. Instead, he silently watched her with a predator’s eyes as she marched past him, leading the way toward the promised vantage point. Hopefully, the view would help distract her from the fact that she was just as enticed by Dom as ever. If anything, her attraction to him was growing by the moment.
The picnic was as delightful as Mr. Longbridge had pledged, with delicious food and excellent wine and lovely views. There were cold meats and cheeses and bread and pies both sweet and savory, plus crisp pears grown in Mr. Longbridge’s own greenhouse. Yet Willa’s attention kept being pulled to Dom, reclining on the ground, massive and dark against the steel-gray water behind him. When the other guests laughed and talked, he was silent—all the while radiating potent energy that continually lured her in.
Indifference would be so much better than this bewildering muddle of desire and anger and uncertainty. But then, things were never simple between her and Dom. Perhaps shehadbeen merely a princess and a prize to him, just as he’d been a kind of defiant trophy for her. But those roles weren’t holding any longer. Not in this place that seemed to strip them of their pretenses.
“We ought to head back,” Mr. Longbridge said when the last iced cake had been consumed and the wine bottles were empty. “It will give us enough time to rest and bathe before dinner.”
“I could grow acclimated to this indulgent existence,” Kieran said as he stood. He helped Celeste to her feet and was especially solicitous in brushing stray blades of grass that stuck to her skirts—paying particular attention to minuscule bits clinging to his wife’s bosom and bottom.
“As if your every waking moment wasn’t spent indulging yourself,” Finn answered.
“A sybarite born and bred,” Kieran replied. “Much to our parents’ dismay.”
Finn shook his head. “Can you say you’re a Ransome brother if youhaven’tdissatisfied our parents?”
“Other than our eldest brother and eternal prig, Simon,” Willa said sardonically, “allof our parents’ children proved disappointments.”
She started to rise, but Dom’s broad hand appeared in her vision. After a moment’s hesitation, she slid her ungloved hand into his so he could help her stand. How much rougher his skin was against hers, the temperature of his flesh searing.
Hot sensation collected in her palm and shot up her arm to spread through her body. His nostrils flared and he drew in a quick, uneven breath.
He lifted her to her feet as if she weighed nothing more than thistledown. But he held on to her, and she kept her hand in his, staring down at the sight. Until she regained her senses and pulled away slowly, her fingers dragging against his palm. Old calluses lined his skin, but the abrasion made her shiver.
She fussed with her skirts, pretending to shake off any crumbs from the cakes she’d eaten, though she shot a glance toward Dom. He was talking with Finn and Kieran, yet at his side, he flexed his hand.
“Now we return to my humble lodgings,” Mr. Longbridge declared once the picnic supplies had been gathered up. “March, my charming army!”
“I’ll see everyone back at the house,” Dom said.
“You aren’t coming with us?” Willa asked in surprise. “How will you find your way back?”
