Aloud, she said, “It will take more than one romantic evening to convince me.”
“But I haven’t begun to use all the weapons at my disposal.”
Kate cocked an eyebrow at him. “Weapons? I did not realize it was a battle between us.”
“Securing your hand in marriage is indeed a battle.”
Determined to keep the conversation light, she refrained from commenting.
A moment later he proposed a swim, then removed his shirt. When he stood and began to unbutton his breeches, she was pressed into asking, “You mean to swim naked in public?”
“Certainly. There is no one here to see us. Come and join me.” When she hesitated, Deverill’s lips curved. “You are showing your craven side again.”
Wisely ignoring his baiting, Kate politely declined. “I already washed at the cottage this afternoon, and the sea is a bit chilly for my taste. In fact, I would rather utilize a Roman bath. Gabrielle says there is one nearby, fed by a hot spring.”
“We ca
n explore it some other time. Meanwhile, we have the beach all to ourselves.” At her silence, he prodded her further. “You wanted to become more adventuresome, did you not? I am only thinking of you, of broadening your horizons.”
“How very obliging of you,” Kate said sweetly. “Thank you, but I will remain here and enjoy the view.”
“As you wish.”
He stripped off his breeches, but instead of leaving, he remained standing before her, entirely naked. Kate found herself studying him, thinking how bold and daring he was, how magnificent his body was—
She brought her thoughts up short. No doubt Deverill was taunting her in an effort to rouse her desire, displaying himself in so brazen a fashion.
Kate sent him a frown. “You are trying to tempt me, admit it.”
Deverill shrugged, oozing innocence. Not answering, he turned and strode away.
Without volition, she watched as he waded out a short distance, then dove into the dark waves and became lost to sight. Making a scoffing sound, she shook her head at her own frailty. As usual he had succeeded in making her blush, turning her entire body warm.
But two could play that game. In truth if she had any hope of seducing him, she had to make him just as hot as she was. Recalling what she’d planned, she removed her gown and corset, leaving only her muslin shift. Then she poured herself a glass of wine and sat there sipping. A delicious anticipation crawled up her spine as she waited for Deverill to return.
After a time, she spied him wading back toward her. Even in the semidark, she could make out his form. Ordinarily she was not easily awed by a man, yet she found herself riveted by the sight of a Grecian god striding from the water—broad shoulders, narrow waist, rigid belly, lean hips, long, sinewed legs…A god, indeed. His build and physical prowess set him apart from other mere mortals and he put the classical statues to shame.
And when he drew close she could see his stark beauty: his curling locks wet with seawater, the clean strong lines of his face, the sheer power of his body. The display left her breathless.
Her only satisfaction was that she seemed to have caught him by surprise with her own state of undress. His bold eyes skimmed over her before he threw himself down on the blanket beside her.
Yet he made no move to take her in his arms, or even to kiss her. Instead, he poured some wine for himself and with a casual disregard of his nudity, propped himself on one elbow to drink it.
Still, he was watching her with a warm intensity that was unsettling and flattering. Kate was exquisitely aware of Deverill by her side.
“Aren’t you the least chilled?” she finally asked to break the silence.
“No. The evening is fairly warm.”
Perhaps it was. Certainly her body was, as she contemplated her next step.
Taking a breath, she slowly pulled down the straps of her shift, then the bodice.
Deverill’s eyes seemed to flare as the peaks of her breasts were revealed, but he instantly stopped her. “That’s far enough, sweetheart.”
Kate paused but sent him a disapproving look. “I don’t understand why you still refuse to make love to me. You yourself taught me that we can enjoy pleasure without actual coupling.”
“You know why. It is my best leverage.”