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‘On if we’re discussing foreplay or something else,’ he drawled.
Her mouth gaped for several amusing seconds before she snapped it shut. ‘Youaretoying with me.’
‘Am I?’
‘Yes,’ she hissed, her chest rising and falling, dragging his attention to the perfect mounds.
‘Why would I do that?’
‘Because I’m certain the last thing you’ll want to be discussing with me is...issex.’
The last word was hushed, and despite her blushing furiously there was a wariness to the word that punched another billow of heat through him. ‘You say it like it’s a dirty word.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Has it become one to you?’
‘If you’re asking me if I’ve grown prudish, the answer is no. But there’s a time and a place—’
‘Like the middle of the night, over a glass of wine when certain subjects are off the table?’ he finished drolly. ‘It seems like the perfect time to discuss why there’s no man in your life. Your name and position alone should have them lining up around the proverbial block,’ he said, gut clenched against the acrid sensation that felt a lot like jealousy.
‘You’re wrong. Besides, I wouldn’t want a man who was attracted to me simply because of my surname. Is that how you pick your lovers?’
‘We’re not talking about me, Lauren.’
Her fingers tightened momentarily around the glass as she turned away. Then he caught her wince as her stole slipped off her shoulder.
‘What’s that?’ The question ejected out of him.
She frowned. Then followed his gaze to the distinct redness on her shoulder. ‘Oh, I got a little sunburn.’
He didn’t realise he’d jerked to his feet until he was moving towards her. When he saw the extent of the burn a wave of fury rolled through his gut... ‘Were you given anything for it?’
She shook her head. ‘It’s nothing.’
His jaw gritted. ‘It’s not nothing. And you shouldn’t keep it covered.’ Reaching for the wrap, he tugged it away and flung it on a nearby seat.
Whirling, he strode out of the living room, along a series of hallways to his bedroom. Retrieving what he needed, he returned.
‘Come here,’ he said.
She remained where she stood. ‘Stop ordering me about.’
‘Come here, Lauren, or I’ll confine you indoors for the remainder of the time while I get on with my day.’
She took her time to weigh his words while the concern-laced fury swirled in his belly. Fortunately, she realised it wasn’t a bluff. With far too arresting movements, she glided back to the divan.
With the wrap out of the way, he couldn’t stop himself from taking in her slim torso, the proud protrusion of her breasts, her trim waist and where her hips started to flare.
Whatever else had happened to her, Lauren Winchester hadn’t lost an ounce of her allure. That confirmation fired straight to his shaft, swelling it with breath-stealing swiftness.
Begrudgingly thankful his tunic masked his reaction to her, he waited for her to sit, then crouched beside her. And immediately realised he’d compounded his situation when the sublime scent of jasmine, eucalyptus and woman filled his senses. He reached blindly for the tub while attempting not to greedily breathe her in.
‘What is it?’
For a charged moment he thought she was addressing his state, but a glance saw hers moving from the container to his face. ‘It’s an organic balm prepared by the Zinabir women. I believe the base ingredient is aloe.’
She reached up and dragged her plait over one shoulder, her fingers gathering any stray strands away from the exposed skin. ‘It smells amazing,’ she murmured.
Shesmelled amazing. Intoxicating.
So much so he wanted to dip his nose into the smooth curve of her shoulder, inhale long and deep. Trail his tongue over that same path, feel goosebumps prickle to life against his lips.
