Free Two Shades of Seduction by Monica Burns

smile was without artifice, but there was a hint of flirtation in the curve of her lip.
    The power of Sophie’s smile slammed into him with an unexpected force. Quentin sucked in a sharp breath at his reaction before he quickly turned away to lead her horse to a nearby shrub. It gave him time to reconcile his reaction to Sophie’s smile with the lust she incited in him. The woman was a natural seductress.
    Not about to let his desire rule his head, he quickly twisted the horse’s leather reins around a branch to ensure the animal wouldn’t bolt. Quentin turned to see Sophie bent over the wolfhounds. Beast was already on his back begging her to scratch his belly, while Caesar was trying to lick her face. She’d conquered them already. The small scene reminded him of a time when he’d watched his mother playing with the new puppy his father brought home. It was a bittersweet memory that tightened his jaw with tension.
    “Beast. Caesar. Enough.” The dogs immediately came to attention at the stern note in his voice. Sophie smiled up at him.
    “They’re quite playful. Which one is which?” she asked.
    “Beast is the gray. Caesar is the sandy-colored one.”
    She gave both animals one last caress then turned and followed him to the picnic blanket. She waited just on the edge of the spread, her fingers clenching the riding gloves she’d removed. Not waiting on her, he sank down onto his knees and sat back on his heels, watching her with an amused smile. She frowned and stared at him from edge of the checkered coverlet spread out on the grass.
    “Your manners are appalling, my lord,” she snapped. “You could have at least offered me your hand.”
    “Forgive me, my lady,” he said with amusement.
    In a split second, he grasped her wrist and pulled her downward. A soft cry of surprise escaped her lovely mouth as she tumbled into his arms. The sound made him chuckle as he resisted the temptation to press her backward into the blanket then kiss her until her glare was one of desire.
    “You make it difficult to forgive you, my lord,” she huffed.
    “Do I?” He arched an eyebrow at her and grinned, thoroughly enjoying the way she bristled at his teasing.
    “You would not be laughing at me otherwise,” she snapped. There was a sudden glimmer of pain in her eyes that made Quentin frown.
    “I’m not making fun of you, Sophie,” he said quietly and grazed her cheek with his forefinger. “I might lack refinement at times, but I have no wish to injure your feelings.”
    The shadow of pain slowly faded from her gaze, and it sent a bolt of relief through him. His insides knotted up at how easily Sophie held his senses captive. With a small grimace, he helped her take a seat next to him on the large blanket. Suddenly eager to see her smile again, he gestured toward the covered dishes he’d brought with them.
    “Cook prepared cold chicken, cheeses, bread, and an apple pie for desert.”
    “Shall I serve?” she asked with a small smile.
    “By all means. Of course I’d much rather have you for lunch.” Quentin eyed her with amusement as she flushed beneath his gaze. Despite the lovely shade of pink filling her cheeks, she didn’t hesitate with her reply.
    “I fear you’d suffer from indigestion, my lord.”
    “Oh, I doubt that.” He laughed. “In fact, I’m certain I’ll find you a tasty morsel.”
    “I thought we were here to get to know each other,” she said in a prim tone of voice designed to put him off. “A speedy courtship to convince everyone we are suitable for each other.”
    “Would you prefer I simply forego any pretense of courtship and anticipate the marriage bed and all its sinful pleasures?”
    For a moment, she stared at him aghast. Then to his surprise, she laughed. It was a robust and musical sound, and Quentin found it quite pleasant to his ears. She shook her head and directed a skeptical smile at him.
    “You really are a rogue. I think you’re deliberately trying to shock