Page 18 (2/2)

There, with her arerent pose, stood Miss Grier Hadley, snow falling gently around her

With a curse, he yanked the door open

"What in the hell--"

"I’d like a ith you," she de with powdery flakes

He looked her slowly up and down She wore love to her lean limbs He sed a suddenly dry throat, quite certain he had never seen a lady’s parts quite so shapely

Stepping out onto the balcony, he looked down, confir she had used no ladder to reach his balcony "How did you get here?"

She waved a hand as if that were a trivial matter "I simply jumped a few balconies until I reached yours"

"You jumped?" He shook his head "Which bedchaht "Three over"

He followed her gaze At least eight feet separated the multiple balconies attached to each rooround She was fortunate she did not lie below in a pile of broken li his face to stare at her again

"It was easy" She shrugged one shoulder

"Are you mad?" he barked

She waved a hand before her lips "Sssh Keep your voice down Do you want to wake the entire house?"

"Why didn’t you simply knock on my bedchamber door?"

She sniffed "That would be most unseemly I have a reputation to preserve"

"And this is not improper?"

"I could have been seen at the door to your rooestion

His lips quirked He cast a quick glance to the balconies surrounding the his brow, he said, "Hate to say it, but your reputation is still in peril, sweetheart Anyone could look out their balcony and spot you here"

Even in the thin light of theher cheeks "Don’t say that," she snapped

"What? It’s true Anyone could crave a bit of fresh air and see you--"

"Not that ! Don’t call etting his anger in his enjoyers anymore We’ve shared intih we’reas though we’ve" She stopped and shook her head doggedly "I think not"

"What would you call kissing on multiple occasions? And in no ould I describe those kisses as chaste" His gaze raked her knowingly, recalling the way she felt against himthe way she tasted

"I would call it a ment Allow me to disabuse you of the notion that we’ve been intie "Deny it all you wish It doesn’t change e did Or that you want me"

" I want you ?" She propped a hand on her waist

"Yes," he growled

She tossed back her head and released a harsh crack of laughter "Oh, you arrogant pig You’re delusional"

"I speak only the truth It’s in your eyesthe way they follow h in her cheeks and he knew he hit a nerve "Yes, I’, too," she accused, jabbing hinored her and the jab of her finger, concentrating on proving that she wanted him "How can I not stare? I do believe it was you who first kissed me In a most passionate display, Inow, tre from head to foot, and he didn’t doubt she wished to strike hihness ? When ere locked in that ar that you’re merely the helpless victihable"

He stepped close, his arainst hi "Oh, I want you I burn for you"