She pretended to ignore him, hiding her hurt by touching the brush to Harvey’s coat. The bristles were too soft, she quickly determined, and switched to the comb, which would remove the burrs and leaves that had tangled in his fur.
“Clara.”
She took her time turning her head to look up at Alden. “Yes?”
“Leave it. He’ll be full of vermin.”
Clara pretended loftiness, as though anything he said could not cut her. “At least he has wears his unpleasantness on the outside.”
“Damnation.” Alden plucked the comb from Clara’s hand and dropped it on the bench, before he hauled her to her feet. “You have to leave.”
Harvey growled. Clara was too startled to soothe him as she hung in Alden’s very strong grip. Rain dripped from her hat as she tilted her head back to look all the way up at him.
Alden gazed at her for one more frozen moment before he scooped her against him and took her mouth in a hard kiss.
Chapter Four
Clara tasted ofmusic and summertime, of champagne and light. Her lips were soft, her mouth a place of heat.
Alden cupped her face, and Clara sank into him. He expected her to jerk from him, glare at him in horror, perhaps ball her fist and punch him in the nose. But no, she kissed him back, drawing a breath in wonder, daring to slide her tongue against his.
The sensation struck a spark, awakening Alden from the stupor in which he’d lingered for a year. Clara was a warm, lush woman with beautiful eyes and a spirited tongue that he was enjoying the taste of.
He deepened the kiss, hungry for her, as he slid his hands to her hair, which was as silken as he’d thought it would be. Her hat loosened and slipped from her head, falling at Harvey’s feet. Clara paid no attention, gripping the lapels of Alden’s wet coat with shaking but firm fingers.
Harvey growled again and then let out one of his squeaking barks. Alden felt a heavy paw, full of untrimmed claws, hook into the top of his boot.
He jerked, and the kiss broke. Clara sucked in a breath and skittered back from him, her lips red, her cheeks flaming.
Harvey snarled, showing Alden his pointed teeth. The dog had obviously decided Clara was his champion, and now he’d defend her from the world.
“It’s all right, Harvey,” Clara told him. “Alden is a good man. He wasn’t hurting me.”
Alden hid a scoff at being calledgood, but he carefully spread his arms, showing Harvey he no longer restrained Clara.
Harvey unhooked his claws from Alden’s boot, turned his back on him, and moved to Clara, tail waving.
“You really should go,” Alden said, his voice gruff.
He’d tried to push Clara away when she’d placed her compassionate hand on his arm, and had ended up offending her. But sending her off would be for her own good. He’d not be able to remain a gentleman if she stayed.
Clara finally seemed to understand this. Either that, or he’d disgusted her beyond redeeming with that unprovoked kiss.
She retrieved her hat and pressed it to her head. “I will be back in the morning to check on Harvey,” she said, voice unwavering. “I’ll leave the brushes, but you are right. He should be bathed first.”
She left the flask of tea as well, pointedly setting it on the bench where Alden had reposed. Then she brushed past him, invoking his need to kiss her again, and headed for the shed’s door.
Clara yanked it open, sailing out into the rain without pause. Alden grabbed the door before it could bang shut and hastened after her, closing it again to keep Harvey inside. He heard a whimper behind him, then a weak howl.
Clara swung to him. “You can’t leave him.”
“He’ll be all right for a few minutes. I’m not letting you walk home alone in the foul darkness.”
“My house is only three from yours.”
“Clara.” Alden grasped her arm and steered her through his gate and along the muddy path. “Do you ever cease arguing?”
“Not really.”
