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"I--I don't know," she sta He could see it in her eyes But for the life of hiine why she would lie What did she have to lie about? He closed his eyes for a second, taking a deep breath Perhaps he washer He was so furious and still so much in love he didn't knohat to think

He opened his eyes She was looking away, her gaze focused on a painting across the rooant, sensuous line of her throatand the way one silken curl rested on the bodice of her gown "I think I do want to kiss you, Henry," he murmured

Her eyes flew back to his face "I don't think you do," she said quickly

"I think you're wrong"

"No If you wanted to kissat me like that" She backed up a step and then scooted around a chair, trying to put so at you?"

"Like like"

"Like what, Henry?" He rested his hands on the arerously close to hers

"Like you want me," she said, her voice barely a whisper

"Ah, but Henry, I do want you"

"No You don't" She wanted to flee, wanted to hide, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from his "You want to hurther in place as he circuated the chair "Maybe there's a little of that, too," he said with chilling softness

His lips captured hers It was a hard, cruel kiss, unlike any other he'd given her, and she clearly was not enjoying it "Why so resistant, Hen? Don't you want to marry me?"

She twisted her head away from him

"Don't you want to"Don't you want all I have to offer you? Don't you want security, a comfortable life, and a hogle in his aro still, and he knew he should release her He should let her go, turn around, and walk out of the room and out of her life But he wanted her so much

Lord, he wanted her, and that lust overtook hirew softer, de her jawline to her ear, down her neck to the tender skin ringed by her pale yellow bodice "Tell me you can't feel this," he whispered, his words a dare "Tell naling hi the sense of need he whipped up in her

Dunford heard her whimper with desire, and for a split second he didn't knohether he'd lost or won Then he realized it really didn't matter