Page 4 of Risk It All

She bites her lower lip and I'm a goner. All I can think about is drinking in those sweet pink lips.

Reining in my libido, I fudge the truth a bit and say, “I saw you with your aunt and was drawn to you. It would have been nice if you weren't so sure that I was a louse, but I'm always up for a challenge.”

“Drawn? To me?” She looks around the room and I know she's eying all the other beautiful women who would lie down—literally—for me. Unfortunately, none of them draw my interest.

“Is it one of those wanting what you can't have type of things?”

I shake my head. “No. It's an I'm-drawn-to-you-in-a-way-I-can't-explain kind of thing.” That's the truth. Sure, at first, I just saw a beautiful woman, of which there were many in the room. But Madeleine has a presence the others don't. I can't pinpoint what it is that has me wanting to both goad and kiss her at the same time. Perhaps it's that she's not impressed by stature or wealth. Maybe it's that she's clearly her own woman, not afraid to speak her mind. Whatever it is, I'm hooked.

She eyes me skeptically. “I see. Well, fortunately, those things go away.”

“I don't want it to go away. I don't think you do either.”

One auburn brow arches up. It's adorable, but I keep that to myself.

“You don't know me enough to know what I want, Mr. Delecoeur.” Heat flares, a mixture of green and gold, her in eyes. I wonder if they do that in the heat of passion too.

“I know you're still dancing with me.” I grin at her and finally something seems to break through.

She laughs. “It's the boyish charm. I seem to be attracted to that.”

Now I'm getting somewhere.

“But I don't want a boy.” She pulls away from me.