To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars 2)

“You are employing the same techniques of seduction you taught me.”

“Is that so?” Drew asked innocently.

“You know it is. You bring me expensive gifts and attempt to flatter me. You look deeply into my eyes and make me the sole focus of your attention. You touch me in order to arouse my senses… Shall I go on?”

Flashing her a slow smile of irresistible charm, he held up his hands. “Guilty as charged. But can you blame me? I know I must use every means at my disposal to convince you to wed me.”

“I don’t want you to shower me with jewels or empty flattery, Drew.”

“My flattery isn’t empty. Come here, sweeting. I want to show you how much I desire you.”

Reaching for her, he drew her into his arms. Discomfited, Roslyn exclaimed in protest. “I don’t want you to kiss me, either.”

“Now that I know isn’t true.” His green gaze intimate, knowing, he smiled softly. “Let me prove it to you, sweet Roslyn…”

Bending his head, he kissed her with controlled expertise while his hands drifted lightly over her body. Every movement was laced with mastery and kindled sparks wherever he touched.

To her dismay, Roslyn soon stopped resisting and surrendered to the clever explorations of his mouth and hands. When he finally pulled back, he left her hot and breathless and dazed.

“The next time we make love,” he murmured in a husky voice, “will be much better than the first.”

She couldn’t imagine how it could be better, but that was hardly the point.

“There will not be a next time,” Roslyn said shakily, moving over to a chair and sinking down. “Not unless we are actually wed.”

“I can see I will have to change your mind.”

She narrowed her gaze on him. “That is just what I would expect of you, you grace, using your sexual prowess to try and sway me.”

“Why shouldn’t I, since it is one of my chief talents?”

“I know.” Roslyn sent him a disgruntled look. “Fanny says you can make women weep with rapture.”

His eyebrow arched. “How could Fanny possibly know? I have never patronized her.”

“She is merely repeating rumor.”

Drew shrugged. “My efforts are not entirely calculating. It makes a man swell with pride, knowing he can please his lover.”

“Not according to Fanny. She says it is extremely rare for a man to consider his lover’s pleasure before his own.”

Drew’s smile was rueful. “Well, I confess I have cultivated my amorous skills so I would be wanted for something other than my wealth and title.”

Roslyn was struck by the odd look in his eyes. It was almost…vulnerable. She found it difficult to believe so powerful nobleman as Drew would have any kind of vulnerability, but she could understand why he wanted to be wanted for himself, not his material assets.

“You certainly succeeded-” Roslyn shook herself abruptly. “How did we stray to this scandalous subject? Yesterday you said you would call on me this morning to further discuss our betrothal.”

“And I meant to. But then I realized I would do better to work on my mother, since she could prove to be a thorn in my side. I intend to stay the night at Arden Castle, by the way. While I’m making my duty visit, I have some estate affairs that need tending. But I’ll return here in time to escort you to the betrothal dinner tomorrow night.”

“You needn’t trouble yourself, Drew. I plan to attend with my friend, Miss Blanchard. It would be best if I am not always seen in your company.”

“Is that the real reason?”

Roslyn flushed. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t want to be alone in a carriage with you.”

“Because you don’t trust yourself with me.”

“Exactly.”