Page 24

She scoffed at his accusation but still did not face him.

“Turn around.” Damn, his voice was gruffer than he had expected.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” Her voice wavered, but her ramrod-straight back told him enough to know that she wasn’t going to willingly turn around.

He took a deep breath. “Are you really going to be childish with me?”

She spun around at the accusation.

Interesting.

“I amnotchildish. I just wish not to look at you,” she huffed, picking an imaginary speck of dirt off her sleeve.

“And why is that?” he countered as he leisurely strolled towards her. With every step he took, her breaths became more shallow. “I’ve been told I’m a handsome man. Do you find me lacking?”

He stopped and widened his stance, holding his arms out for her inspection.

Her eyebrows rose, and a blush bloomed on her cheeks. She dropped her eyes to the floor. “I wish not to talk about your appearance. It is of no matter to me.”

He clucked his tongue as he approached her. “I don’t believe you.”

Stubbornness drove her eyes back up. “I could not care less what you look like. Besides, what I think of you doesn’t matter, what with our arrangement,” she said with a shake of her head. “We agreed that you help me find a match and I keep you company.” She pinned him with a glare. “You could look like a giant wart and it wouldn’t affect me one way or another.”

Her childish insult had him grinning. “Ah, but don’t you see? We’ve already started your lessons.”

Her eyes widened as he stood in front of her and traced one finger down her cheek, to her neck. Her eyes fluttered shut as she tilted her head back to allow him more access. He took her chin into his hand, and her eyes opened.

“You need to learn how toflirtwith a man, Miss Bennett,” he whispered. He felt her body shake with anticipation at his words. “I’m quite positive that likening a man to a wart is not flirting.”

He lifted one dark eyebrow, challenging her to disagree.

Embarrassment seeped through her pores as he chuckled. She pushed away from him.

“Ugh. Why must you always toy with me?” Her hands were fidgeting with the ribbons that lined her dress.

His little kitten was a bundle of nerves.

He stepped back and leaned against the desk to the right of the window. “Because you make it so easy.”

“Isthisflirting?” She waved a finger between the two of them. “Because if so, then I need to rethink our arrangement.”

He tilted his head to the side. “If I were flirting with you, you’d know it.”

She rolled her eyes. “How original. How mysterious,” she drawled. “Is there a courting guidebook for men in publication? Because I’m pretty sure I’ve heard other men say this to gullible, naive girls before.”

David’s eyes darkened as he abruptly stood to his full height. Jenny took a step back at the abrupt shift in his mood and stance.

He stalked back to her until they were standing almost toe-to-toe, causing her to crane her neck to look up into his eyes. The alarm in her eyes was more enticing than he cared to admit.

His hand cupped her cheek, while his other slid down her back to her waist and pulled her in. “There is no guidebook when it comes to you, kitten. There’s only one way to learn your truths.”

Her breath came out in small puffs. She leaned into his hand and rose on her tiptoes to meet his lips. Her hands timidly slid up his arms to find purchase on his shoulders.

David lowered his lips to hers, but the sound of voices outside the library had both of them jumping out of each other’s arms.