Free Nicole Jordan by Master of Temptation Page B

sun-kissed skin lovely. And I can attest that you have an exquisite body.”
    Caro sent him an arch glance. “There is no need to shower me with empty flattery, Mr. Leighton.”
    “It is hardly empty. I find you immensely desirable.”
    Her brows drew together in skepticism.
    Max was surprised by her response. Caro Evers was oblivious to her own beauty, he realized.
    It was true, he thought, surveying her; she didn’t fit the ideal mold of womanliness or femininity. Her outspoken frankness alone set her apart, as did her lack of artifice. Her figure was lithe and slim, more boyish than the accepted fashion, her body firm and lightly muscled, he knew from experience. And she did nothing to enhance her features, favoring dark, practical gowns and wearing her unruly hair scraped back in a stern knot. Her hands, although gentle, were strong and capable rather than dainty and ladylike.
    If he was honest, she was very different from the soft, voluptuous women he’d found appealing in the past. Yet to his surprise, he did consider Caro beautiful. And wholly remarkable.
    Beneath her restrained surface lurked something unexpected, something fierce and passionate and unbelievably sensuous.
    The enchantress he’d known that night on Cyrene had possessed more sensuality than any woman he’d ever encountered. Her innocent, eager response to his lovemaking had turned him inside out. Even now Max felt a rush of heat whenever he remembered.
    And she was courageous and intrepid—many of the qualities he had thought primarily the prerogative of men. From the first he had been struck by her keen intelligence.
    Most importantly, she cared ardently about the things that really mattered. About saving lives, about rescuing her captive friend. He suspected Caro would never do anything by half measures. Thorne had been right when he’d dubbed her singular.
    The thought of Thorne, however, rekindled the spark of jealousy lingering in Max’s breast.
    “So what is your relationship to Christopher Thorne?” he asked. “You aren’t lovers?”
    She blinked at his unexpected change of subject, then gave a soft laugh. “Good heavens, no. He thinks of me as a sister.”
    “So there is no other man in your life?”
    She eyed him with puzzlement. “Why would you ask?”
    “I’m possessive enough to want to be your only lover,” Max admitted.
    He could hear her sharp intake of breath, could see surprise flit across her face.
    A moment later, though, her chin lifted. “If you think to use me merely to pass the time and relieve your boredom, you can abandon that notion at once.”
    Max shook his head. “Dealing with boredom has never been a problem for me. During the war I grew accustomed to long hours of waiting between battles and learned to develop vast reserves of patience.”
    “Then what are you about?” Her eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to provoke me as Thorne suggested? He was entirely wrong about my needing a diversion. I don’t require a seduction to distract me from dwelling on Isabella’s fate, I assure you.”
    “Provoking you wasn’t my design, but I want very much to be your lover again.”
    “Why?” Her tone was challenging.
    “Because ever since a certain moonlit night,” Max replied honestly, “I’ve been obsessed with a ministering angel. I need to know if what I felt for her was real or merely a fantasy.”
    For a long moment Caro remained silent while she struggled with disbelief. “I told you, you were suffering from the stresses of war that night.”
    “Perhaps so. But my mind doesn’t seem to respond to logical arguments. Nor does my body.” His gaze dropped to her breasts. “Does yours?”
    No, certainly not.
She had little control over her body’s sensual reaction to him.
    Lifting his gaze, he smiled in satisfaction, as if guessing her thoughts.
    After a searching glance, she shook her head. “I understand your problem, Mr. Leighton. It
was
merely a fantasy that night. You were affected by