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The whisperings of the ladies grew to full-on chatter, and the furious look that Kitty threw him hardened his dick. Christ, he needed to get her into bed.

“I was wondering, Katherine, if you wouldn’t mind demonstrating your craft by reading the tasting notes for the next wine.”

Cries of approval and encouragement rang out, and Daniel held out the napkin he’d written on.“Please?” he asked, his wolfish smile growing by the second.

Kitty turned a violent crimson and took a couple of deep breaths, the shape of her small breasts obvious through the thin shirt. Her eyes darted to his, and he met them with what he considered his most smouldering look. He’d practised it since he was a teenager when he’d realised his looks could get him what he wanted.

Kitty fisted the napkin on her plate, her teeth chewing on her bottom lip. For a long beat she stared at her glass, but eventually, she placed a hand on the table and rose slowly. Imaginary fingers curled around Daniel’s balls, and he smiled. She was going to take his bait. Take a bite. Kitty straightened to her full height and stared right at him, a defiant look in her eyes.

“Thank you, Donovan,” she began, a saccharin-sweet smile on her lips. “It would be my pleasure. I only hope I can do your words justice.”

As he handed Kitty his hastily scribbled notes, he winked. She’d purposely used an incorrect name for him. It was a nibble if not a full bite. A small firing shot, but a promise of things to come, he hoped. He liked a woman who didn’t give in to him too easily.

Kitty cleared her throat as Daniel poured her an even larger glass this time. Again, she didn’t protest.

“This second wine is dark and smooth,” she began. “It’s described here as tall, bold, and strong, with gentle, earthy notes, providing a cheeky flourish on the back palette. However, some would define it as an overly confident, young pretender with a definite hint of cheese.”

She was teasinghim, now. Describing him in her own words. And he loved it.

Kitty continued. “I think you’ll find it’s full of overblown and unnecessary complexities that can leave a rather disappointing burn in the gullet. I’ll allow you to decide for yourselves, but I’d suggest the best way to approach this wine is to knock it back soundly.”

Daniel took a breath at her final words as Kitty drained her glass in one go, slamming it down on the table when she’d finished.Amidst applause from the women of the W.C., the triumph on her face lit Daniel’s fuse, and he fought the urge to carry her off to the cellars and bang her brains out.

“Touché,” he mouthed with a grin, and Kitty’s eyes flared before she sat back down.

The afternoon continued in the same pattern. Daniel would pour Kitty a bigger glass than everyone else and then introduce the wine in ever more risqué language. Kitty drank every single one. Daniel could hardly believe nobody noticed his sex-laced commentary, but most of the women hung on his every word. Not unused to female attention, he played it up even more.

As the event wound down, Daniel could see how drunk Kitty was. Hell, evenhewas tipsy. Who knew the W.C. could be so much fun? Her eyes were unfocused, and she was wobbling a little as she stood and headed towards the bathroom.

“Ladies,” he said, standing himself. “Thank you for coming today. I hope you learned a little something about our beautiful British wines. Now, excuse me, I have a little business to attend to.”

When he caught up with Kitty, she looked flushed and was weaving towards the bar unsteadily. Daniel hooked an arm under hers and led her to a bar stool where she could sit. Perhaps he’d gone a little too far. She’d have a shocking hangover tomorrow.

“I need to call a cab,” she said, slurring her words and having trouble focusing on him.

Daniel huffed a laugh. “This isn’t the big city, you know. A tractor ride is the closest thing you’ll get to a cab.”

“Can I get a wheelbarrow then?” she asked, a ridiculous giggle escaping her lips.

Daniel levelled his gaze at her. “Katherine, I believe you’re drunk.”

“I’mdefinitelydrunk,” she said, giving him a wavering thumbs up. “My sister would say it’s been far too long, and I have you to thank for breaking my drought. You’ve been very naughty today. You’re a bad influence, Daniel Cunningham.”

Daniel smiled and lowered his voice to a husky purr.

“I can be as bad as you want. And I think you want me to be wicked.”

Kitty licked her lips and dragged her eyes up to meet his. She leaned closer, and Daniel’s heart sped up as he felt a stirring in his jeans. Was it really going to be this easy?

His eyes raked over her flushed face and full lips, longing to claim them. If he made a move, he was sure she’d kiss him, but this wasn’t the way he wanted it. Not a drunken snog in his pub. He wanted to seduce her. To dazzle her with his charm. He wanted her to desire him in the cold light of day with no booze involved. There was no triumph in anything less.

“I know I’m going to regret this,” he said, taking her arms and gently guiding her body back to upright, “but I won’t take advantage of you. You probably won’t remember most of this afternoon, but I hope you remember how much you want to kiss me right now. If you do, hold that thought, and I promise we’ll revisit it.”

“I need to call a cab,” Kitty slurred again, clearly oblivious to what he’d just said.

Daniel sighed. “Right-o,” he said. “Let’s find Julia and call your cousin to take you home.”

Kitty leaned into him again.