Page 38 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
“Is it really so hard to admit that now is not the time for such games?”
She kept her eyes narrowed on him, and Daniel did the same to her.
I should have known that today was too good to be true. A flash in the pan, is what it was, and not at all what I should expect from one as obstinate as Lady Alison.
Dammit, he had enjoyed himself today too. More than he thought was possible. For once, he and Lady Alison were able to stop bickering and fighting, forgetting their tendency toward the adversarial and simply relishing one another’s company.
It had been so unlike Daniel to do so. He could not remember the last time he had such fun. When he hadn’t had to concern himself with appearances or duty, when he had been able to relax and be free for a damn change. And all because of Lady Alison.
Only now…back to how things should be, I suppose.
“I will not apologize,” he said and looked away. “If anything, you should be thanking me.”
“What!” She was up from the couch, placing down her dog, before striding to meet him. “And why on earth should I –”
“Because I took you in!” he snapped, spinning back to find her before him. He started, nearly took a step away but forced himself to stand tall because he refused to back down. “Even when I thought you were lying.”
“Which I was not.”
“Which I did not know until now.”
“Which is why I want an apology.”
“Which is why you will not get one.” He glared at her, begging that she stand down. He needed her too. He needed her to relent, to walk away, to not put him in a position that both knew to be dangerous. “What is done is done,” he spoke carefully, holding her in his glare. “Let us be glad that you are safe and leave it at that.”
“Easy for you to say,” she shot back. Her hands were on her hips, and she was still glaring right at him. “Seeing as you won.”
“This is not about who has won.”
“Then apologize.”
“Never,” he snarled.
Perhaps he should have apologized? Poured water on the flames and given her the victory she so desperately sought. It would have done much to cool tempers and stifle the tension building between them. It would have been the smart move.
But Daniel was past making smart decisions.If I made smart decisions, I wouldn’t have kissed her last night. Is that why she is at me? Does she want another…
His chest tightened and his pulse quickened as he considered. Quickly, his eyes flicked to her plump lips. The taste of her returned to his tongue as if it was just seconds ago when they last kissed. He could feel the temptation building inside him. He could feel the desire creeping slowly until it consumed him.
Daniel had not meant to kiss Lady Alison last evening.
Frustratingly, he had not been able to help it.
He couldn’t stop thinking about her. Even before the kiss. How she badgered him. How she tested his limits. He was so used to always getting his way, never being told no, feared by many because of his status as an Earl. To be denied and fought against by someone like Lady Alison was a tonic he did not know he needed until it touched his lips.
She was stubborn. She was tempestuous. She was in need of authority and discipline. She craved it like oxygen. And each time she poked him… it was as if she was begging for him to give it to her.
“Perhaps I should return home,” she said as she stepped into him. “Take my chances.”
“Do you really expect that to work?”
“Did you not announce yourself as my protector?” she shot back. “Willing to do anything you must to keep me safe.”
“Even I have my limits.”
“Fine.” She widened her eyes at him a final time. “Then I will be going.” She went to step around him.
He blocked her and a hand went to her waist. “I can force you to stay.”
