Free The Lover by Nicole Jordan Page A

state.
    Niall shrugged his bare shoulders as he casually tugged up the plaid to cover his worst bruising. “You do have the most annoying habit of showing up when you are least wanted, mistress.”
    She met his bold gaze impatiently. “I had no intention of interrupting your pleasures. But I hoped you might spare five minutes of your precious time.”
    “I can manage five minutes,” Niall observed with a wicked slant to his lips. “I am entirely at your service, mistress. You command my undivided attention.”
    Oh, but he was bold, Sabrina thought with grudging admiration. The villain was laughing at her. She could see the devilment in his eyes.
    He appeared even more treacherously handsome than she recalled. His raven hair tumbled around his face, accenting the ruggedly sculpted planes and angles and the dazzling blue eyes framed by thick black lashes. Her woman’s heart beat faster just looking at him. She found herself staring at that beautifully shaped, sensually curved mouth and the burning smile that twisted into a mocking curve.
    She almost turned and walked away. But she had vowed to face this situation head-on. She refused to continue suffering the state of uncertainty she’d endured for the past three days. She wanted matters settled between them. “I wonder if you would deign to consider putting on some clothing.”
    “Why? Do you dislike the sight of a naked man?”
    Sabrina opened her mouth to reply and then snapped it shut. That was not a question a lady answered.
    “Or perhaps you are merely faint of heart,” the rogue had the audacity to add.
    “I am
not
faint-hearted—”
    “Then why do you remain standing in the doorway?”
    A scarlet blush rose high and bright in her cheeks. Stiffly Sabrina stepped into the room, but she was careful to leave the door ajar.
    She froze suddenly when, with a languid movement of his body, Niall stretched his powerful arms overhead, making the muscles in his bare chest and torso ripple and flex.
    He grimaced slightly, then laughed at her apprehensive expression, showing white flashing teeth. “Welcome to my den of iniquity, Mistress Duncan.”
    The infuriating gleam made her scowl—but at least it helped her regain some of her composure. “I don’t particularly find this a subject for levity, my lord!”
    “That is quite apparent.”
    “I suppose it
is
in keeping with your dissipated reputation, receiving a lady in a complete state of undress.”
    “Ah…now resumes your continued assault on my character.”
    “In the unelevated circles in which I was raised, taking advantage of serving maids
is
considered indicative of a lack of character.”
    Niall shook his head in feigned hurt. “Why are you always so swift to accuse me of taking advantage of the gentler sex?”
    “Perhaps because in every instance we’ve met, you’ve been engaged in luring females to their ruin.”
    “I am loath to correct a lady, but the females I lure are
never
unwilling.”
    “I doubt that would prove an impediment for you, in any case,” Sabrina remarked archly.
    “I fancy it wouldn’t,” he agreed with a tantalizing spice in his voice.
    “No.” Her tone was grudging. “You are obviously graced with an unreasonable measure of persuasiveness.”
    “To say nothing of my charm and wit.”
    Sabrina shut her eyes for a moment in a silent appeal to heaven. He was the most incredibly arrogant man she had ever met. She devoutly wished she could take him down a peg. “I hardly consider it a virtue to have broken scores of female hearts!”
    “Ah, lass, never would I purposely wound the fairer sex.”
    “Not purposely. I suppose you cannot help it, considering what you are.”
    “And what is that?”
    “A…a womanizer. A…”
    “Hedonist,” he supplied lazily. “Ah, yes, I well recall your opinion of me.”
    “Do you deny it?”
    He cocked his head, considering her. “No, indeed. My infamous repute is well deserved. I am a man of great lusts.”
    She didn’t need