Free The Woman Sent to Tame Him by Victoria Parker Page B

wall.
    Musing on why she’d cornered herself again, Finn lounged against the arm of an emerald antique sofa a few feet away and faced her. ‘So, what do you fancy for dinner?’
    She sniffed, the action wrinkling her little nose. ‘I’d rather starve.’
    ‘You’ve changed your tune pretty quick. Is it a habit of yours? It was only this afternoon you said, “I wouldn’t be seen dead” in reference to this very establishment. What changed your mind?’
    Pouting those luscious lips, she weighed him up from top to toe, her gaze burning holes in his ten-thousand-pound tux. He felt all but cauterised.
    ‘First off, why don’t you tell me why you’re avoiding me?’
    Because I can’t tell you what you want to hear.
    ‘Because every time I look at you I want to make love to that beautiful mouth of yours. It’s addictive.’ She was like a drug—the prime source of some very intense highs. ‘But you don’t want that, do you, Seraphina?’ he asked, rich and smooth, with a sinful tone he couldn’t quell even if he tried.
    Up came her stubborn chin. ‘No, I don’t.’
    ‘Then I would advise you to stay away. Because sooner or later we’ll have another repeat of last night.’
    It was only a matter of time. Whether she wanted to believe it or not.
    From the way her pulse throbbed wildly at the base of her throat and a soft flush feathered her skin he knew she was thinking about their kiss. Was she still tasting him as he could her?
    ‘I don’t intend to make the same mistake twice. I know a car crash when I see one,’ she said tartly. Then gave herself away by licking her raspberry pout.
    She could taste him, all right. He’d also bet she wanted more and loathed herself for it.
    Cursing inwardly, he allowed himself the luxury of drinking her in before he made his excuses and left.
    Covered in a thin black trench coat, with a high, stiff collar and a straight no-nonsense hem just above the knee, she reminded him of a prissy professor. Though her perfectly sexy knees and her shapely bare calves smothered in luscious ivory skin ruined the imagery. As for her feet...
    Finn clenched his jaw and breathed past the grin begging to be let loose.
    Oh, man , did he want to see under that coat. More than his next breath.
    ‘Do you like to gamble, Miss Scott? Try your chances with Lady Luck?’
    ‘Not particularly. I’m not so sure I believe in luck.’
    Her admission was a prelude to a charge in the air as secrets and lies swirled around them in an electrical storm.
    ‘I’ll make a deal with you,’ he drawled. Risky, Finn —and didn’t that just rouse his desire?He chose his next words very, very carefully. ‘If you do something for me I may grant you one wish. As long as it’s in my power to give.’
    Up came her chin once more, her grey gaze narrow with scepticism as her need fought hand in hand with obvious discomfort. ‘Deal.’
    ‘Show me what you’re wearing beneath that coat.’
    ‘Wh... what ?’
    ‘You heard. Untie that sash, undo those buttons, pull that coat wide and show me.’
    Chaotic emotion and energy writhed around inside him.
    What he was doing he had no idea. All he knew was that common sense and control took a back seat when he was within five feet of her.
    Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, and the sultry swell of her breasts made heat, fast and furious, speed through his body.
    Ah, hell , he should stop her.
    Right now.
    ‘A deal is a deal, Miss Scott. You don’t strike me as the type to renege.’
    She tapped her hands against the ruffle of material at her thigh and slowly, provocatively, tiptoed her fingers up to the knot of her sash.
    Finn gritted his teeth as the ribbon-like belt sank to each side of her hips.
    Every pop of every button was magnified, the sound echoing off the silk-covered walls, until she gripped the sides of the soft black fabric.
    Then she heaved a bashful sigh, rolled her eyes, and pulled the lapels wide, giving him exactlywhat he was looking