Page 63 of Lord Ramsey's Red-Headed Ruin
“I would like to make you happy.”
You could if you told me if you have no list of my associates and friends ready for arrest. “You are too kind, Rene.”
“Not with presents,ma chérie. But with my company.”
She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. “Rene…”
He sat forward. “You have known for a long time that I cannot get you out of my mind.”
She tipped her head. “Rene…”
“Your coyness thrills me, my darling. Do not take me for granted.”
Believe me, I do not.
“I want you to allow me to court you, Amber.”
She gave him a devastating smile. “Rene, I am nocoquette.”
His eyes flashed, brilliant and hard. “You are finished with your previous enchantment?”
Ram. Never.Lest words betray the truth, she merely lowered her lashes.
Vaillancourt reached for her hand. His skin was cool. Bloodless. “Allow me to thrill you. Thrill you regularly. Will you?”
I cannot go to bed with you. Not yet. Not ever. If I can stave that off…I will.She forced herself to appear torn but tempted. “You could begin,oui, Rene.”
“Begin, then, I will.” He grinned at her. “I want you to act as my hostess.”
That is marvelous.“You plan to entertain more often?”
“I do. I want you by my side for that.” He raised her hand and kissed her fingertips. Christ, he was cold.
“Let us begin, then.”
“Soon. I give a party for a few on the staff of the first consul. Friday evening.”
“Wonderful.”
“Will you come consult with my chef and my housekeeper?”
“Of course. When would you like me here?”
“I’d like to have you here often.” His eyes lit with a salacious glint.
He took her question as a double entendre. She fought shutting her eyes to the very thought of himhaving her often.Alone.“Day after tomorrow, then? Say at two?”
He looked like an eager schoolboy. “Two it is. I will be ready for you.”
She lowered her lashes. Blushing was not in her repertoire any longer. But she had to feign it, didn’t she? “Please, René. I may not seem like a delicate person. But I am. I truly am. Please don’t expect that I can rush into a relationship…”
He stood and led her to stand, too. Against his hard, slim body, she forced herself not to scream. He lifted her chin and began to kiss her.
She turned her head. “Please, René. I beg you to allow me to decide the time and place.”
He kissed her cheek. “Of course, my darling. You will be my guide.”
*
