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Dominic could have sworn he saw warmth and pleasure bloom in Amelia’s honey-brown eyes as she looked at him; causing a stir of something similar in his own.

He didn’t like it.

“For whatever reason, thank you,” she replied softly.

Dominic grunted, broke eye contact, then unfolded his hands so he could finish eating his own breakfast.

“I can appreciate your gratitude but it was my duty as the Master of this house,” he told her. “And unlike you, I don’t break contracts.”

“I never broke my contract,” Amelia replied coolly, “I simply found a loophole you were not wise enough to cover.”

Dominic’s gaze snapped up to her, grinding his jaw. He tried to think of a retort but he truly had none. She had been wily with stepping around his rules, and in doing so had outsmarted him.

“Will you be ready to leave by two this afternoon?” He asked, changing the subject.

“I will,” she replied, sounding strong. “Thank you for the reprieve. I feel quite refreshed.”

Again with the thanks. He didn’t like how warm it made him feel. He needed loyalty, not gratitude. He needed to stop it.

“I believe you require a dance lesson before we return,” he said brusquely. “Your performance at our party was quite lacking and since we are certainly going to have to do it again, I must insist that you get better.”

Amelia tsked her tongue and scowled at him.

Ah. That’s better.He enjoyed it better when they fought.

“I can dance just fine,” she shot back.

“That remains to be seen,” he chuckled.

“I was not well, you know that.”

“You will have the same circumstances of our last dance no matter which party we go to,” he pointed out. “You will need to dance despite your nerves, I cannot whisper those dirty scenes in your ear every time you start to panic. Someone is bound to notice that eventually.”

A delicious crimson blush filled her cheeks and Dominic felt his manhood harden instantly at the sight. He’d rather liked that part of the dance, but wasn’t about to admit that to her.

“Icandance,” she insisted again.

“You will have to prove that to me,” he said with a shrug.

“And if I do?” She asked quickly.

He raised a brow; amused.

“You want to strike another deal?” He asked.

“Seems the only way to get what I want,” she answered with slight venom.

Dominic smirked, and he could have sworn he saw her squirm in her seat.

“Very well then. Your terms?” He asked.

“If I can prove to you I can dance, you will teach me how to box this evening after we return to London.”

He looked at her with surprise.

“You already offered to teach me,” she reminded him. “I am simply imposing on the invitation.”

Thoughts of what he’d done to her the last time they were near a punching bag flooded Dominic’s mind; and his already hardened manhood began to pulse and ache. He wondered if he would ever look at the sport the same again after what he’d done.