Page 71 of Sir Durham’s Disarming Asset

She would fix that.

Then, right in front of him, she knelt. Her fingers splayed over his thighs. They were muscular, sculpted, and hard as stone, bare beneath his banyan. “We cannot go on like this. Your staying away, my provoking you. That is not the way we know the best of each other.”

“I want the best for you.”

She was wistful about that. “You are best for me.”

He did not refute her.

She slid her hands farther up his thighs to his hips. His reaction was quick, rigid, and large. She bit her lips to keep from smiling. “I know who you are.”

Rafe grunted. Then took another drink.

“But I have learned I do not know who you think I am.”

Rafe stared at her. Amid the shadows of the room, she could see the beloved contours of his strong face, his ever-vibrant eyes. He was hollowed out.

But she was here to fill him up with all he required.

She slid her splayed fingers higher on his hips. His muscles jumped. A movement of the satin at the apex of his legs told her of his need of her.

Good. She would go on.

“Am I too aggressive? You think me a nuisance? An irritant?”

He shot to his feet. “No! By God, no.”

She fell back, her palms to the carpet.

Weaving like a blind man, he stepped away from her and ran his hand through his wild hair. He strode to his sideboard. She could not see his face, but she heard how he poured another draught of liquor for himself. He did not turn to her, but downed whatever was in his glass. He plunked the crystal down, and she was surprised it did not shatter. Then he spun to face her, shock lining his features when he saw she had remained on the floor.

She was undone. What did she not see that kept him from her? “There was no man in that room tonight whom I want for a husband…save one.”

He stilled.

“And you left me.” She could not catch the sob that came out with her words.

“Oh, God above, my darling! What was I supposed to do?”

She got to her feet, and not elegantly so. But her advantage was that her night rail had a very loose bodice and, without looking down, she could tell her nipples were teasing the lacy edge.

“You should have stayed. We could have danced again.”

“A second time?” He cursed. “I would not ask.”

She harumphed. “I would.”

“No. You know what that would have meant.”

“Scandal! Shocking! A female’s invitation. Oh so not done.” Playful, she was near him once more. This time she ran her arms around his waist and snuggled near. He was big and warm, her massive bear. And he let her have him.

“I adore Charles,” she told him. Rafe’s banyan spread wide, and she dropped a kiss to his hairy, naked chest.

He cupped her cheeks and drew her up to lock his gaze with hers. His eyes glistened like black diamonds. “No, you don’t.”

“For choosing to marry for love?” She liked winning arguments with this obstinate man. “Everyone should.”

He moved his mouth.