Page 28 of Heart of Iron
“Or is itsomeone?”He leaned against the closed door and crossed his arms over his chest.
“It’s none of your business, Barrons.”She glided sinuously toward him, the creamy flesh of her décolletage displayed invitingly.A ploy, of course, meant to draw men’s eyes, make them forget to watch her hands.
He’d never been that foolish.The woman was dangerous and Leo knew it.She’d like nothing better than to see him and the Duke of Caine dead, their House nothing but a memory.Still…the view was tempting.
“Get out of my way,” she commanded.Another step brought her closer, her full skirts sweeping against his ankles.As if she thought he’d obey.
“Why would I?”Leo took a step closer.Her skirts brushed his thighs, and her chin tilted up.“It’s a beautiful night and you’re a beautiful woman.”He held a hand out, gesturing to the room with a mocking smile.“And we’re all alone.”
A quick movement.He caught her wrist, moonlight flashing off the bejeweled hilt of a dagger.Their eyes met.There was no sign of her discomposure.Nothing but the quirk of her brow.
An ice princess.
Suddenly he wanted to melt her cool mask.
Spinning her back against the door, he forced her wrist—and the dagger—high.Her other hand moved in a chopping motion but he caught that too.Slammed it back against the hard wood.
Pinned.
Aramina’s breath caught.“Don’t think this makes me any less dangerous.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he murmured.The scent of her perfume curled through his nose.Spicy cinnamon.Alluring.Almost enough to make his grip soften, his body lean into hers.
Almost.
“A knee to the balls?”he asked.
She smiled.There was no warmth in it.“A knife would be preferable.”
Leo winced.“You’re merciless, my dear.”
“I can be.”Aramina’s gaze lowered.Examined his mouth.
Leo froze.The softening of her expression drew him in, a moth to the flame.The woman was his enemy, her House and his at blood feud with each other.And yet he couldn’t deny that she fascinated him.
“I can be merciless too,” he whispered, his face lowering to hers.“But you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
She wet her lips.Turned her face away.Leo’s breath stirred the curls at her ear.His heart pounded as his lips brushed against her jaw.The sweet kick of her carotid proved she wasn’t as immune to him as she pretended.He slid his lips over it, felt the pulse through her veins.Heat flared, his cock grinding against her.Somehow his hands were on her hips.
“You should look to your House,” she whispered.
He traced the curve of her throat with his tongue, teeth grazing the vein.God, how he wanted her blood.“What do you mean by that?”
A soft laugh.Aramina’s face turned to his, her lips brushing his cheek as she whispered in his ear.“Where’s your ward, Barrons?”
Something sharp dug into his groin.The knife.
He hissed.“What have you done with her?”
“Me?Nothing.”Aramina lifted on her toes, her breasts brushing against his chest.“That,” she said, “was almost too easy.”
The blade forced him away from her.Aramina opened the door, glancing casually over her shoulder.The dagger had vanished.“I was actually trying to do the girl a good deed.I like her.”A swift smile.“And she has her uses.”Slipping through the door, she threw over her shoulder, “You’ll find her in the powder room.”
***
Lena strode down the hallway, checking room after room.The skin on her arms and neck prickled, knowing that Will watched.She couldn’t see him anywhere, yet his presence gave her the kind of confidence she’d not felt in a long time.
Easing the door to Lord Harker’s study closed, she froze.What was that?A soft cry in the dark?Taking a quiet step toward the library, she kept her head cocked.
