Page 41 (2/2)

He laughed “Of course there is a ‘but’ Do you think that is what I want for you?”

“What do you want for me?” she bantered “Or have you already set ht?” There, she had put it to him She felt the blush burn her cheeks, but it was the question uppermost in her mind Out in the open Now she would know

He frowned darkly at her “I don’t like to hear you speak like that”

“Do you not?” was all she could nized as her own Was that her heart starting to crackle orry?

“Temptress, do not make me thrashI a to do with you here and now,” he answered, and his voice sounded harsh to her delicate ears

“Principles?” She eyed him and said no more

“It rong of ht … you didn’t understand the fire you were playing with—the sort of burn that awaits such games”

“Burned—I think I aed and by h Yours were quite … welcome, and I do not mind the aftermath of my actions,” she said quietly

He rounded on her “Flip! You are an innocent, and I am a cad”

She laughed “Not yet, you are not”

He shook his head and said, “I wanted to take you on this ride to tell you what happened last night cannot happen again It was e of your … attraction to me and when you are so very vulnerable You were in a terrible situation I ca and rescued you and Scott—and in your mind, you, well, you have fixated on me That is not what I want You think me some sort of hero, and I am not worthy of one hair on your head”

She hung her head Was he just being kind? Breaking it to her gently that she did not suit him? He was a hero, and that hat he would do He had thoroughly and co “I see,” she said softly

“No, you do not, but fro of a passion

She eyed him then, for her spirit was indoive up She said, “Are you afraid of me?”

“I a blown into the wind because of you,” he answered softly