Free Tempting Her Reluctant Viscount by Catherine Hemmerling

had convinced herself she was in love with him before she knew him, and now that she was getting to know him in earnest…she wasn’t sure what she felt. Though she was beginning to think she rather liked him.
    Walking over to the bell-pull to ring for a servant, Hope said, “I gather you agree that it is too late to go to the dinner party now?”
    “Yes, plus there is still so much to do here.”
    “We were just beginning to make headway, weren’t we?” Hope said with a small smile. As much as things were awkward when they’d first sat down, the truth was they worked well together. Both anticipating the other’s needs, thoughts, impressions. It was…well…nice.
    …
    “Quite a bit of headway, I’d say,” Michael agreed, suddenly rather relieved they didn’t have to go to the dinner party. The truth was, he was rather enjoying his time with Hope. Not that he had expected anything else, but the way they worked together—so seemingly in tune with one another—surprised him. And, as they became more comfortable together, the better Michael was able to handle the woman’s positively lethal smiles. Lethal to his equilibrium, in any case.
    “Then I will go ahead and have some food brought here, if there are no objections.”
    “I didn’t have any objections when you said it just a moment ago, and nothing has happened in the interim to make me change my mind…yet,” Michael teased, walking back around the desk to where they were previously seated.
    Hope grinned at him as he walked by, and Michael was so distracted he banged his hip into the corner of the desk quite hard. “Ouch,” he yelped, immediately stopping to rub his injury. So much for being able to handle the girl’s smile , Michael thought wryly.
    “Michael!” Hope exclaimed, moving quickly to his side. “What did you do?”
    “Nothing,” Michael replied with grimace. “I just hit my leg on the desk, that’s all.”
    “Oh dear, that must hurt,” Hope said, reaching out to massage the sore muscle. “Here, let me help you.”
    Jumping back the minute Hope’s hands touched his hip—so very near another part of his body—Michael barked out, “Ah, no, no…that’s all right. Thank you.”
    “But—”
    “No, really, it’s all right,” Michael assured her. Then, unable to bear the look of hurt on her face, he added, “Just…help me to my chair…and I will be fine.”
    Apparently happy to be able to do something to help, Hope tucked her arm around Michael’s waist and led him to his chair. It was only a foot or two away, so really, Michael could have made it there on his own, but once Hope had her arm around him and he was able to put his arm around her…nothing could have induced Michael to let her go.
    When he finally had no choice but to sit, he did so in such a way that he could keep his arm around Hope as long as possible. She felt so incredibly good to him. Soft and feminine and…perfect. Feeling himself start to harden, Michael wondered if giving into the urge to hold Hope had been such a good idea. Then she looked into his eyes and all Michael could think was, Yes, that was a damn good idea…and kissing her is absolutely another one .
    When Hope’s gaze locked with Michael’s as she was straightening up from helping him to his chair, he realized just how close she was to him. Just a fraction of an inch and their lips would touch. Michael’s hungry eyes moved down to Hope’s mouth. As he watched, Hope’s tongue flicked out to moisten her lips, and Michael couldn’t help but groan as he moved in to taste the delicacy she was so unwittingly offering.
    Just a whisper away, Michael heard the sound of footsteps coming in their direction. Hope apparently noticed them, too, for she jumped away from Michael like he was on fire (which wasn’t far from the truth) and gasped, “Rivers!”
    Nodding jerkily, Michael shifted in his chair. He was exceedingly uncomfortable and suddenly very glad he was already seated. Walking in his