Free Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins Page A

face flushed, her lips swollen and pink. She had to clutch a small tea table for support. The small candy dish and the globe on the lamp rattled as her weight rocked the table.
    Marcus would have been glad for some extra support himself. He felt as weak-kneed as an hour old colt. His heart pounded in his ears, his chest ached as if he’d been running, his entire body was as taut as a finely drawn bow.
    “That—That was not necessary.” She brushed her mouth with the back of her hand.
    For some reason the childish gesture brought a smile to his lips and he realized that it had been a long, long while since he’d had such a reaction to a woman—to any woman, in fact. “I think it was very necessary. And pleasant, too. Damned pleasant.”
    “I didn’t wish you to kiss me.”
    “And I didn’t wish you to leave.” He crossed his arms over his chest, feeling strangely pleased with himself. B’God, he’d shown her. Better yet, the instant reaction had intrigued him. There was something damned taking about the little Miss Baker-Sneed. Something that begged for more investigation. “I’d say we were even.”
    “And I’d say you are an ass.”
    He lifted his brows. “What did you call me?”
    “An ass. The braying, bullying kind.” Her gaze raked him up and down. “Is this how you get your women? By force?”
    Marcus shrugged. “I have never had to force a woman to do anything.”
    “Oh? You forced me to kiss you.”
    “Forced? You didn’t make a single protest—not a one. Had you done so, I would have released you immediately. Furthermore, by the end, you were kissing me just as much as I was kissing you.”
    Her color bloomed brighter. “You surprised me. I didn’t have time to register a complaint.”
    “Because you didn’t have one to register. You liked that kiss. Admit it.”
    Her nose couldn’t climb any higher. “I will admit no such thing. In fact, I will go so far as to say that I didn’t like that kiss and hope it is never repeated.”
    His brows rose, a faint smile warming him. “Oh? Never?”
    She shook her head. “Never.”
    “That sounds like a challenge. A delightful challenge, at that.” He took a step toward her, and she scrambled away as if chased by flames. Marcus chuckled. “I didn’t steal a kiss from you. I only borrowed one.”
    “I call it theft.”
    “Well then… if that’s true, then I must make restitution.”
    She eyed him uncertainly, and it dawned on him that it nonplused her that he was suddenly in such a good mood. That made him grin the more. “If I stole a kiss from you, then I should give it back.” He leaned forward, his gaze drawn to her lips. “Tell me, my dear, obstinate Miss Baker-Sneed, would you like to have your kiss returned to you now? Or shall we wait until a more auspiciously private time?”
    Outrage heated her cheeks and sent a hot sparkle to her eyes. “You can’t give a kiss back!”
    He moved closer. “Are you certain?”
    She bustled to the opposite side of the chair, all prim outrage and adorable flush. “You, my lord, are incorrigible.”
    “Only when someone denies me that which I want.”
    “I do not give kisses to everyone.”
    His lips twitched. “I was talking about my ring.”
    Her gaze fell to her hand. “Oh.”
    Was that a note of disappointment in her voice? Marcus decided not to find out. Not yet, anyway. The ring was why he was here and, tempting as it was, he didn’t need to become distracted by something as silly as a kiss, even a hot and passionate one. If he wanted that blasted ring back, he would have to move very, very carefully. “I have made a decision.”
    “Oh?”
    “I will consider your request for the seven thousand pounds.”
    Miss Baker-Sneed’s amazing eyes brightened. “Yes?”
    “In the meantime, I want your word that you will not sell that ring to anyone else.”
    Her gaze grew dark as she considered his proposal. “You will consider it? Seriously consider it?”
    “Yes.” Though it would