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“I didn’t know you like to read so much.”
“That’s why she became a chauffeur,” Maddie said with all the self-importance of youth. “So that she would have time to read.”
“Is it indeed?” He murmured appreciatively. “And here I thought it was because she could change a tyre in five minutes flat.”
“Five minutes,” Finn scoffed jokingly. “I could have done it in two if you hadn’t been distracting me.”
His eyes shone as they studied her face. “Madison, it’s time for you to go see your mother.”
“Yes, sir,” she saluted with mock deference, earning a flicker of amusement from Finn.
“Don’t forget, Seraphina,” Madison said earnestly from the door, “that you are going to show me how you can beat up Dougal tomorrow.”
Finn grinned. “It’s a date.”
They watched the young girl move from the room, and though they didn’t know it, it was the happiest she’d been in days. For glimpses of time there, Maddie had been much like her old self.
But Maddie left, and Finn and Caradoc were alone; and all the air of conviviality and relaxation seemed to disappear immediately.
CHAPTER FOUR
Finn had left her hair loose after her shower and it fell down her back, in lustrous waves, right to the curve of her buttock. It was as long and beautiful as he’d hoped.
Her face was scrubbed of makeup, not that she’d worn much anyway, and he lifted a hand to her chin, to hold her face still while he studied it.
Finn knew she should step backwards. He had no reason to touch her. No right to! But she stayed where she was, her eyes mossy pools drowning in his nearness.
“Who is Dougal?” The question surprised her, and a smile tickled her lips.
“Your father’s driver,” she murmured, her tongue heavy in her throat.
“Why are you going to beat up an elderly chauffeur?”
“Elderly? Dougal’s not elderly. He wouldn’t be much older than I am.”
“I see,” he said huskily. His finger strayed from her chin to pad across her lips. Finn shivered. Why was she staying there, letting him touch her as though they were something more than two people who’d known one another a matter of hours. “And why are you going to try kicking his ass?”
“I wasn’t going to try,” she promised thickly. “I was going to use him
for a demonstration.”
“Of?” He prompted, inching his body closer so that finally he felt his hard planes against her slim curves.
“Your sister seems to find it hard to believe that a woman like me could possibly defend herself against a man.”
“You must admit,” he said, lifting his other hand to the small of her back so that he could clamp her against his body. His pulse leaped at her nearness. “You don’t look like you could blow out a birthday candle so much as a house.”
“Don’t I?” And if he’d known her better, he might have seen the glint in her eye as a warning.
“No.” He was unprepared for what came next. Finn lifted her fingers and curled them around his wrist and at the same time, she twisted her foot behind his ankle. She jerked him forward while simultaneously twisting his wrist backwards. His spectacular eyes widened with surprise but not for long. He crashed to the ground, but he pulled her with him, so that she landed against his chest.
“Are you subduing me?” He wondered aloud. “Because, I’ve gotta tell you, Finn, it feels a lot like you’re exciting me instead.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I could subdue you,” she promised. But it would mean moving, and they both understood that she didn’t want to. Their bodies were melded together, his hard against the ancient floors and hers light as a feather but firmly planted to his chest.
Her sweater was tight. It showed off her slim waist and curvaceous breasts. He placed his hands on her sides and slid his fingers beneath the fabric. Finn’s eyes were wide as saucers. She sucked in a breath. Her body seemed to quiver where he touched and goose bumps broke out across her soft skin. Her insides were leaping with adrenalin and unmistakable desire.
But Finn didn’t want to feel such an overwhelming sense of need. And certainly not for this man. He was her client, and she was a professional.
