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Music began again, and the dancing started. At first, the men were segregated from the women, but as the night passed and the ouzo and wine flowed freely, rigid standards were abandoned, and Carter swept her into a dance for which she had no name. She tried to follow the shuffling of feet and sudden jumps, but was soon giggling helplessly.

“It’s getting late,” said Carter. “Most of the guests will be here long after the bride and groom have departed.”

“Should we head back to the inn?” Scarlett asked with a giggle. “This was fun. That dance made my head spin.”

“That and the wine,” Carter said dryly. They bid farewell to their hosts and the other guests, and it took another twenty minutes for them to break away. On the walk back to their inn, Carter kept a firm hold on Scarlett’s arm.

“I’m glad you know where we’re going, because I would get lost in no time. All the twists and turns confuse me.”

“Here we are, so no need to fear getting lost.”

“Nope,” Scarlett said with another giggle and followed him inside. Carter opened the door and they moved inside. Standing in front of the bed, the only bed, that they would be forced to share.

Scarlett’s head was spinning, but she was only slightly tipsy. She was drunker on the sights she’d seen, and the wedding she’d witnessed. The wine had given her a nice buzz, but it had worn off, so she couldn’t blame it for what she was contemplating.

No, it was her own desire that was leading her to wicked thoughts. Her body burned for Carter’s touch, and she wanted him. She walked into the bathroom and stripped down to her underwear, trying to decide if she was brave enough to take what she wanted.

She washed her hands in the sink, but as she was grabbing a towel, she was interrupted by Carter knocking on the door.

13

Carter

After a moment, Carter opened the bathroom door and looked in through the small crack. “Everything all right in there, Scarlett?”

“Um, I’m almost done,” he heard her whisper.

Today in town had been a whole new experience between the two of them. She had been so carefree, easy to talk to. And damn she looked good in everything she wore.

“May I come in?” He needed to brush his teeth, but he was also trying to catch a glimpse of her smooth flesh. Maybe brush past her and get to touch her once again.

“Yes,” she responded. She stood in the plain nightgown they had bought earlier. It was gauzy and practically see through. She was looking at her feet, another sign of her complete innocence. She looked so sweet standing there.

He took of his shirt and tossed it on the floor, walking over to the mirror. As he stood there washing his face she reached out and touched him.

He stiffened as her fingers lightly stroked the scarred tissue of his back. As her hand crept lower, he twisted around, grabbing her wrist. “What kind of game is this?” he demanded, striving to look angry. He wanted her, he knew it, but he couldn’t have her. This would ruin his plan.

At first his angry tone and gaze intimidated her, but then he watched as Scarlett forced her eyes to meet his. He knew what she would find there. Uninhibited lust.

Allowing him to retain his hold on her wrist, Scarlett lifted her other hand to stroke his face. “It’s no game,” she said. “You may hate my father, but you don’t have to hate me. You can trust me, Carter.”

He snorted in disbelief, wishing she would stop her light caresses. It was too distracting to him, he was falling too quickly into her trap. He couldn’t focus. “I can’t trust any Terini,” he said, about to push her away.

She gave him an admonishing look, “You know you can trust me.” Scarlett pressed a kiss to his lips. His grip on her wrist slackened, and he released her arm before pulling her closer to him.

He couldn’t do this, he just couldn’t. She was trying to trick him, to soften him up. The words danced through his mind, but held little meaning. It was hard to believe that this was a ruse, judging by her breathless little moans, and the way she pressed her body to his.

As common sense warred with desire, and eventually lost, Carter deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth with his tongue, making her moans increase in pitch and tempo. She sounded so good, and felt even better. His hands settled on the curve of her waist, holding her firmly against him. He knew he shouldn’t be responding to a Terini, but was powerless to resist, even at the cost of his pride.

He pushed her away slightly, towards the bed.

“You really don’t want me?’ She pouted.

“It’s not that. I want you. But I want to see you,” he growled. His eyes were locked on her hands as she playfully eased the gown up another inch before sliding it back down to her knees. She chewed on her lower lip, pulling the gown up farther, stopping an inch or so before she exposed herself to him.

He waited a moment before his hands were on her. He slowly pulled the nightgown above her head and tossed it away.

Carter forgot how to breathe as he took in the beautiful body below him. She was slender, with rounded hips and surprisingly long legs considering her short height. Her breasts were perfect, perky and round.

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