Lessons from a Scandalous Bride (Forgotten Princesses #2)(31)

He arched a dark brow at her in that infuriating way of his.

She snorted. “I’m not jealous. I’m merely pointing out your duplicitous nature.”

“Have no fear, sweetheart—”

“Don’t call me that.”

He continued as though he hadn’t heard her speak. Leaning in closer, his arm brushed her cheek. “I’ve not changed my mind.”

She ignored the small thrill his words created in her. “I really couldn’t care one way or another, Lord McKinney.”

He drew in a deep breath. The motion lifted his broad chest, grazing the front of her dress. Her breasts tightened, the tips hardening in the most treacherous manner.

“You’re a horrible liar. You care.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. Her heart seized at the touch. “And I really think you should start calling me Logan.”

“That wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“After all we’ve shared . . . the least we can do is address each other by our Christian names.”

Her face burned at the reminder of her past transgressions.

“I’m a breath away from gaining a proposal from Thrumgoodie. I don’t think you should be touching me like this . . . or continuing engaging me in these private discussions.”

His hand stilled on her face. “You’ll not do it. You’ll not marry that old man.”

“You think not?” She lifted her chin, cursing that her voice shook.

He nodded. “You won’t go through with it.”

“I wouldn’t wager on that. For months now I’ve been working toward that very goal.”

“Why?” he demanded, his voice hard. “You don’t care for him.”

“Cast no stones here,” she charged. “You were pursuing Libba, a girl you don’t care for—“

“And I’ve come to my senses. I want you.”

“Merely because I’m the more tolerable choice,” she sneered. “You wouldn’t be standing here if not for my bridal settlement.”

“What do you want me to say?” he asked, his words a growling rush. “That I’m not in need of funds? I am. Yes, you have the money my family desperately needs. But you also have my undivided interest. You fill my thoughts. I ache for you. More than any female I’ve met since leaving home. Hell, even before then. What more can I say?”

Their gazes locked, clung. She searched his face, both reveling in and frightened from his stark declaration. In his expression she thought she read a small measure of discomfort . . . as if the declaration had surprised him, too.

She ignored the slight softening of her heart and pushed the echo of his words from her mind.

“I don’t want you to say anything,” she whispered. “Again.” Please, no more words like that. “I-I don’t care,” she stammered.

“Do you want me to profess my love?”

She choked and jerked as though slapped. “N-no! I would not believe you if you did.”

At his decidedly relieved look, she rolled her eyes. Apparently he believed in the sentiment of love as much as she did.

Desperate to end this, she shoved past him, but he grabbed her arm and turned her back around. “You feel something for me. I know it.” His hand flexed and she felt the imprint of each of his fingers like a brand.

She exhaled thinly through her nostrils. “Again, your high opinion of yourself staggers me.” She jabbed a finger dead center in his chest. “You and your smoldering looks and your impressive—” She motioned wildly to his person, biting back the word body, refusing to reveal how much she had made a study of him. “It may work on every other lady within sight—”

“You find me impressive?” He smiled again and she yearned to wipe the smirk from his handsome face.

“I’m not some wee lass from the local village ready to swoon at the mere sight of you.”

He scowled at her mocking imitation of his slight burr, but she didn’t allow herself the smallest stab of guilt. She couldn’t relent when it came to him. He was too tempting by far, and she could never let him suspect that she found him appealing.

He shook his head as if her words finally penetrated.

She didn’t want what other girls wanted. She didn’t want some young swain, virile and strapping and handsome of face. He had to understand that. Those were merely superficial trappings. Attraction never lasted. It only plunged a woman into degradation and pain. In the complete loss of one’s self.

“Are you beginning to understand? Your energies are best served elsewhere.” She hadn’t the time for this. For him. Roger’s wretched face and words flashed across her mind.

His gaze narrowed. “I think perhaps I know you better than yourself.”

She opened her mouth to let him know precisely what she thought of that outrageous claim when his head suddenly dipped toward her, smothering her words.

His mouth took hers completely, roughly. He crushed her against him, trapping her hands between them. His lips devoured hers. His tongue slid inside her mouth, tasting, possessing. She was helpless against the onslaught. She sagged against him, incapable of standing without the support of his solid length holding her up.

His hands cupped her cheeks, positioning her for him. The rasping sensation of his broad palms on her face made her knees tremble.