Page 123 of To Catch A Rogue

She cut him a dangerous look.

His craving virus levels must have been higher than hers. It usually took her most of the night to recover from a wound like that.

"That’s better," Charlie breathed, tipping his scalp back under the water. The strong cords of his throat showed in stark relief, water gleaming over the golden muscle of his shoulders.

"What? Getting warm? Or washing the rouge off your cheeks?" she teased.

"Ha, ha. I deserved that."

"You did."

He flipped his head forward, spraying her with water. Droplets of it clung to his chin and the firm line of his lips. Being so close to dawn meant his strong jaw was lined with stubble, and suddenly she couldn’t help wondering what it would feel like against her skin.

He must have sensed it.

Inch by inch they circled closer.

"Whyever are you looking at me like that, Lark?"

"Because… I’m thinking wicked thoughts," she whispered.

His smile held all manner of sins. "I didn’t think you took much convincing to come swimming with me. What sort of wicked thoughts? Are you intending to seduce me?"

She rolled her eyes to hide the sudden flutter inside her. "Would it be difficult?"

Ripples of water edged against her skin as Charlie circled her slowly. "It depends. I have a reputation to consider, you know? But you were very protective of me tonight. I might be inclined toward rewarding you." The soft caress of his words whispered against her skin as he edged behind her. "What now?"

"What do you mean?"

"You’re the one seducing me." He trailed a finger across the slope of her back, brushing a kiss to her shoulder as he circled back in front.

I’m not so sure about that.

She shivered.

"You’re the one with the experience in these types of situations," she whispered.

His head froze at an angle. "What do you mean by that?"

Cheeks burning, she looked away. "I’ve never been with a man."

"I’ve never been with one either," he murmured. "Nor a woman."

"This isn’t amusing."

Charlie paused an inch away from her. "Why do you think I’m joking? I waited for you, Lark. I have no more experience in these matters than you do, beyond conceptual. And whatever I learned from watching Miss Jasmine."

Lark's heart started pounding.

It was one thing to be naked in front of him, quite another to strip herself bare.I waited for you.... She didn't know what to say. Except perhaps....

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Lark drew back, water sluicing around her breasts.

Charlie dipped below the water again, most of his face covered as he glided toward her. He came up, water dripping down his chest and shoulders. "I'm a virgin, Lark. I wanted it to be you."

"Awhat?"

"What do you want me to say?" He waved his arms slowly through the water, stirring drifts of steam. "I'm not entirely innocent. I've kissed girls—"