Page 18 of Sweet Siren
"You're gallant, too. Meanwhile, I dislike my own bad manners and prefer being proud of myself." She took a few steps toward his coach. "Perhaps we should climb into your carriage and end thenight."
"We can. First, agree to swim with me inEngland."
"What?No." She giggled at how he turned the tables on her. But then, she rather liked the idea of swimming with him. Where? "Oh, all right.When?"
"When I return to London inDecember."
"December? So will this be an icebath?"
He donned a rogue's grin and undid her good sense. "Dine with me in December. Swim with me inMay."
She struggled with a grin. "If you're hoping I'll wear cotton drawers and a muslin chemise, you are verymistaken."
"A man can dream. Besides, we're becoming friends." He stepped close to her, the moonlight limning his hair and his rugged complexion. "Wear what pleasesyou."
What would please her would be to wear absolutely nothing. How many years had it been since she wanted a sexual encounter? The very idea had been leeched out of her by the limited circumstances of her marriage.Dear heavens.She should leave. Avoid him. "That would bedangerous."
"I'm up to thechallenge."
Dare she succumb to his charm? "Mister Hanniford, must you tame all the animals who nip atyou?"
He cupped her cheek, his fingers drifting back ever so gently into the hair above her ear. "Itry."
She gave a little laugh, but flowed more securely into his large hand. His palm was warm and moved, full of fond regard. How could he be so sweet, so tempting when the only trait she'd ever heard of him was his utter disregard forothers?
"You now have a dilemma," he said to her in a gruff voice that fueled the fires of her desire forhim.
She closed her eyes as he stroked the corner of her mouth with his thumb. "Whichis?"
"Open your eyes,Olivia."
"Liv."
"Liv," he said her name like a prayer. "You mustchoose."
"What?" she asked as he wrapped one massive arm around her and nestled her against the bulwark of hisbody.
"To kiss me ornot."
"And if I don't?" she said, her voice a hollowwreck.
"We will be friends," he told her as he put his thumb to the center of her lower lip and rolled itdown.
"And if I do?" Her breath gone, her mindfollowed.
"We will be goodfriends."
She clutched him close. Desire was new to her. Passion a glittering land she'd never explored. "You temptme."
"I know." His silver eyes flashed in the gas light. "What will you do with all thattemptation?"
Seize it.She rose on her toes and brushed her lips on his. Could heaven be this tender, wild andmad?
"Liv, look atme."
"No. I'd rather do this." She slanted her lips across his and drifted into enchantment. This was what she craved. Him. She pulled away, her gaze on his,shocked.
"Liv," he beseeched her, "come kiss meagain."
