Page 142 of The Burning Mountain
Veer gave her a knowing smile, nodding as if he had already won, and the warmth of arousal turned to annoyance.
Presumptuous man!
“If you don’t turn by the time I’ve removed everything,” he continued, “thenIwill accept defeat and admit that I’ve become a bore and won’t touch you for the rest of our stay here.”
Chandra sent him another sharp glare at his not-so-innocent proposal and blew out a breath. The devil knew this wasn’t what she wanted, either, but she couldn’t admit that withoutaccepting she had only been playing. He had neatly boxed her into accepting his terms or risk looking like a fool.
“All right,” she said, facing the window once again, wincing inwardly when her voice emerged breathless despite her best attempts to sound indifferent.
She heard him move about behind her. Every sound he made was amplified, as she could no longer see him.
“What do you think I should remove first?” he asked playfully, while she had a hard time getting words out.
“Whatever…” She cleared her throat. “Whatever you decide.”
She heard the chink of something metallic hitting the wood of the table. “I’ve removed my sword and the cummerbund.”
She let out a breath. Okay that sounded tame. She could manage this.
“My long scarf. I am glad I am not wearing my turban. That weighs a ton. Should I remove my long coat or my slippers next?”
She couldn’t speak without giving away how much she was affected, so she kept her silence.
“Slippers it is,” he said, deciding for her. She heard thethwackas the leather footwear hit the floor. His feet would be nice, narrow, and…and why was she getting turned on, not even seeing, but imagining a man’s feet?Have I lost it?she thought, palming her forehead. Perhaps she was coming down with a fever. It was unusually warm in the room. Hot enough to cause sweat to bead at her temple.
She heard more rustling sounds. A soft curse. “Sorry, too many damn ties on my coat. I guess I’ll be removing the first few. Gosh, is it just me or is it hot in here? I think I’ll go and turn down the fire some.”
Her mind supplied the images of what she couldn’t see. Long torso corded with muscle. Sweeping pectorals and a trim waist. She whimpered and leaned her neck out the window and intothe cold outside, fanning herself. He was doing this deliberately, stretching the moment. Meanwhile, she was expiring from the lack of breath and from the heat. Dying of heat in the cold of the Vindhyas. She might be the first person to achieve that feat.
“There. I’m back again,” he said. More rustling sounds and then the chink of metal buttons hitting the floor as he dropped the long coat.
“Whew. Got my coat off. So much better. I’m glad I’m not wearing anything like an undershirt. How’s the scenery outside, my dear?”
“Good. Great. Perfectly sculpted,” she said, with no idea if what was coming out of her mouth was appropriate to describe the view outside.
“Is it, now?” he said, and she could discern the suppressed laughter in his voice. “I really should take you to all my favorite places. Of course, not dressed like I’m currently, though. I am afraid I will turn into an icicle. Just the pants now,” he said, a faint hint of warning in his words.
She said nothing, wondering if he would go through with it. She had her answer when she heard thewhooshof a drawstring and flutter of air as he must have dropped his garments to the floor.
Chandra buried her flaming face in her hands, giving up on the pretense. Turning, she peeked behind her fingers.
And saw him sitting at the table, tipping his chair back, arms tucked at the back of his head, while his legs stayed brazenly up on the table. A wide grin crossed his face, and his eyes twinkled with mischief.
He was fully clothed.
She lowered her hands and gaped at him. Understanding hit her, seeing his smirk and she advanced on him. “You wretch, you were doing nothing.”
He laughed, and standing up, caught her around the waist, tipping them both back so they fell on the bed.
“Disappointed? I knew that would catch your interest,” he whispered in her ear.“I win. You’re mine to do with as I please, for the rest of our stay.”
“Oww…” she said, grimacing and putting a hand to her chest.
He reared back immediately, contrite. “Shoot! I’m so sorry. I forgot about your injury. Are you all right? I’m such an idiot. Let me see.”
Chandra grinned and easily wriggled out from under him, evading his searching hands. “Not an idiot, but definitely a rogue,” she said defiantly. “But two can play at this game.”
A reciprocal grin slanted across his face, and he lunged for her. She escaped his reach and laughed as he gave her the chase through the mansion.
