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Remember
the bargain.
Cecilia’s
breath caught in her throat. The cad! Why did he look so gal-darn
handsome tonight?
A black
suit jacket she’d not seen before was swept over his shoulder and held
by his hooked finger. The gold vest emphasized his incredible chest, and
the white of his shirt made his tan appear darker. Around his neck, he
had a string tie, adding to his dressy attire. His black trousers molded
to the curve of his hips and thighs, causing her to release a small
sigh. She bit her lip to keep it from being very loud.
James
smiled at her and her heart stopped. She nearly lost feeling in her legs
and dropped to a puddle on the ground. She clenched her hands into
fists, her nails digging into her palms.
No! She
mustn’t act this way. He was a swindler. A thief. And he certainly would
steal her heart if she didn’t take better precautions.
She cleared
her throat. “Good evening, Mr. Lawrence.”
He nodded.
“Evenin’, Miss Ashby.” He faced her and bowed slightly. “Miss Ashby.” He
straightened and held out his elbow like a damn gentleman. “Would you
allow me escort you into the parlor?”
Although
Cecilia wanted to lift her nose and walk away from his gentlemanly
offer, she’d been raised a lady, so she hesitantly placed her hand on
his arm. Warmth from his body blasted through her limb, spreading to her
bosom. She cursed the effect he had on her.
She walked
beside him in silence. The scent of pine and all man enveloped her,
causing her limbs to weaken once again. Lord, help me remove these
sensations.
The moment
she stepped into the parlor, she dropped her hand. Instead of moving
toward the fireplace, she chose the window where the air was cooler.
Heat wouldn’t help her body right now.
“Are you
settled into your house yet?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Yes. You
forget, I don’t have a lot of baggage.”
She leaned
her back against the window. “Why is that, Mr. Lawrence?”
“Because
I’ve been travelin’ from town to town, gamblin’ my way to riches.”
“Then why
haven’t you continued on your way? Why stop here?”
He laid his
jacket across one of the chair, then sauntered toward her. The rhythm of
her heart accelerated, and she crossed her arms over her tingling bosom.
“A couple
of reasons, really.”
She
swallowed hard. “What are they?”
He stopped
mere inches in front of her. She had to tilt her head back to see into
his eyes--eyes darker than before. Curse his hide for his irresistible
charm.
“Once I’d
been stabbed and robbed, I couldn’t very well continue on my journey.”
She nodded.
“True. I see the reasoning behind that.”
“And the
other reason,” he paused as his fingers brushed against her cheek, “is
because I’d met a woman who fascinated me. A woman who came to me durin’
the night and kissed with such passion that I couldn’t get her off my
mind.”
Against her
will, her breathing had quickened, her mouth turned dry as cotton in a
windstorm. She couldn’t even muster enough liquid in her throat to
swallow.
“After I’d
left Doc Copeland’s office,” he continued, “I met another beautiful and
interestin’ woman. A woman I enjoyed bein’ around. She made me laugh,
and she treated me with exceptional kindness.”
He traced
his finger across her parted lips. Thankfully, he didn’t say anything
about the air coming out of her mouth in gushes.
“Tell me,
Miss Ashby, why would I want to leave when every day I can look upon
such beauty it takes my breath away?”
Desire
sparked his gaze, darkening his eyes. He leaned his head closer, and she
drooped her eyelids. If he kissed her right now, she’d be helpless to
stop him. Her hands would refuse to ward him off, and her lips would
refuse to stiffen.
“Mr.
Lawrence,” she said with a squeak in her voice. “You shouldn’t talk this
way.”
He cupped
the side of her face, and as hard as she could, she tried not to snuggle
against his palm. “Miss Ashby, I think you know how much I want you.”
A moan of
despair caught in her throat. “No,” she whispered.
“Yes you
do.” Both hands held her face now, and his body moved closer,
imprisoning her against the window.
“Please...”
The corner
of his tempting mouth lifted higher. “Please what, darlin’?”
Kiss me.
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