Menace raised his brows. “How foolish.”
“Exactly,” she replied. “I don’t need protection. I—”
“You practically threw your sister at him in order to gain his protection, if I recall.”
He had her there. But Eliza had noticed the attraction between the two when she’d suggested her sister get involved with the duke. “Isabella did need help. Emily and Abigail need him too.”
“But not you…” he murmured.
His voice had dropped so low the sound made her shiver. He’s a rake, she reminded herself. “Not me.”
“But you need my help now?”
Her chin notched up. “Not help. Just information.”
He quirked a one-sided smile that did strange things to her insides as he let out a chuckle. “An important distinction to be certain.”
“What is the harm in giving me a few facts?”
“I don’t know you well enough to know if there is harm in it or not. You seem like you could be dangerous.”
She raised one shoulder. Female pride coursed through her. “I take that as a compliment.”
He pushed off the wall, which brought him closer to her body. So close that she could feel his heat. Her dress came off her shoulders exposing a fair bit of skin including her rather ample cleavage. Which was currently covered in goosepimples.
He brought his hand to her shoulder, large and warm, his fingers fanning out so that his pinky rested just about the swelling flesh of her right breast. She shivered at the touch despite herself.
He dropped his chin lower, angling his sharp green eyes to meet hers. “You shouldn’t.”
Eliza did what she knew she shouldn’t. She’d manipulated a fair number of men, but none were as dangerous as this one. He was confident, in control, and he made her forget her principles every time he drew near. Still, she moved closer, allowing her breasts to just graze his chest. “There must be some way I could convince you.”
Chapter Two
Minx.
Dylan stared down at Eliza. Her eyes tilted at the corners, giving them an almond shape that could make a man beg. He’d like to beg…
Her lips were softly parted, and the brush of her skin made him hard and hot.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
“What are you offering?” If she wanted to play this game, he’d see her bluff and raise her. He owned a gaming hell after all.
The softest sweetest smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “Let me think. I want regular updates about what’s happening in my own life. And you want…” She paused, raising one of her hands and brushing a finger on the plump flesh of her bottom lip.
His trousers grew achingly tight. This woman was going to be his undoing.
Dylan had dallied with a few of society’s elite. He didn’t discriminate when it came to women. The only exception was marriageable maidens.
But Eliza had been without a chaperone for months. Had she been with a man? Her demeanor certainly suggested she had. She knew things. Things a debutante should not.
And he’d take her up on her offer in a second. Hell, he’d pull her into the shadows and lift her skirts right here if he thought he could get away with it but…Bash would kill him.
Then again, might be the way to go. The title and all its debt could go to the next cousin while he died doing what he loved best. “I want—” he started, wrapping a hand about her waist and pulling her body tight against his.
“My lord,” she softly purred. “Someone might see.” She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the room.
He relaxed his hold, easing back. She was right.