will. Incidentally,” he added with a wry grin, “even under the best of circumstances, I don’t devour innocent women. Or boys of any kind, innocent or otherwise.”
A flicker of humor. “I’m relieved, my lord. I was told that innocent women are the only sort who remain safe from your allure. However, I’d heard nothing about boys. I’m delighted to hear that they, too, are excluded from your list of potential prey.”
Laughter rumbled from Dustin’s chest. “I’m going to have to accustom myself to that rapier wit and forthright tongue.”
“If Papa’s complaints about me are valid, you have quite a challenge ahead of you.”
“I knew that from the start. But, Derby—” His gaze delved deep inside her. “Remember that challenges are my forte. Especially those as well worth embracing—and savoring—as you.”
Her lashes swept her cheeks, now flushed in response to his blatant message.
“Continue with your details,” Dustin murmured, easing her back to safe ground. “What else can I do to assuage your anxiety?”
“Only one thing more.” The toe of Nicole’s boot traced lines in the dirt. “My father wants to see you,” she announced uncomfortably. “Today. I told him what happened between us in your study… no!” Her head came up, her expression mortified as she realized what she’d just implied. “I don’t mean I told him what we … that we …” Agitated, she sought the right words. “What I meant was that I explained the outcome of my interview, that you’d deduced who I was and why.”
“I understood what you meant.” Rather than amusement, Dustin felt a surge of acute tenderness at her plight. When was the last time he’d seen a woman try so hard to circumvent any mention of what amounted to no more than a chaste, albeit soul-shattering, kiss? “And I concur wholeheartedly with your decision. The more intimate moments of our exchange should be kept private, not only because hearing about them would upset your father but because there aren’t words to describe the magic that occurs when you’re in my arms.”
He could actually see the tiny shiver that ran through her. “It’s never going to happen again,” she whispered, her tone as unconvincing as her pledge.
“Oh, yes it is.” Dustin’s need to hold her was a palpable ache in his chest—one he refused to succumb to. “Not just again, but again after that. It’s as inevitable as dawn, as compelling as darkness. However, it will be up to you to determine when and where.”
She was struggling to stay afloat. Guilt apprised him that he wasn’t helping.
“Let’s get back to the subject at hand,” he suggested, heeding his inner voice. “Why does your father want to see me?”
“Partially, to discuss the men who are after him. Partially to … to …” Her flush deepened.
“To make certain I won’t take advantage of his daughter,” Dustin finished for her.
She looked startled, her eyes widening in reaction.
“As I told you, Derby, I was raised by a highly principled man. I well understand honor.” He met and held her gaze. “You said that you trust me.”
“I do.”
“Then trust me not to take advantage of you or hurt you in any way. Even if it means sacrificing my own needs. And yours.”
A current of sensual awareness ran between them, softening Nicole’s eyes to a smoky violet. “All right.”
God, how he wanted her. “What time would your father like to meet?”
“At noon. Papa says that’s all the time I’ll need to win Dagger over.”
Dustin chuckled. “I suspect he’s right.”
Nicole didn’t return the smile. “Dustin,” she murmured, unaware she’d even used his given name, “At the risk of overstepping my bounds, would you go to him ? I know that’s an unusual request. You must be accustomed to summoning others, rather than vice versa. But I’m terrified that if Papa leaves the cottage …”
“He should never venture outside that house,” Dustin inserted at
A flicker of humor. “I’m relieved, my lord. I was told that innocent women are the only sort who remain safe from your allure. However, I’d heard nothing about boys. I’m delighted to hear that they, too, are excluded from your list of potential prey.”
Laughter rumbled from Dustin’s chest. “I’m going to have to accustom myself to that rapier wit and forthright tongue.”
“If Papa’s complaints about me are valid, you have quite a challenge ahead of you.”
“I knew that from the start. But, Derby—” His gaze delved deep inside her. “Remember that challenges are my forte. Especially those as well worth embracing—and savoring—as you.”
Her lashes swept her cheeks, now flushed in response to his blatant message.
“Continue with your details,” Dustin murmured, easing her back to safe ground. “What else can I do to assuage your anxiety?”
“Only one thing more.” The toe of Nicole’s boot traced lines in the dirt. “My father wants to see you,” she announced uncomfortably. “Today. I told him what happened between us in your study… no!” Her head came up, her expression mortified as she realized what she’d just implied. “I don’t mean I told him what we … that we …” Agitated, she sought the right words. “What I meant was that I explained the outcome of my interview, that you’d deduced who I was and why.”
“I understood what you meant.” Rather than amusement, Dustin felt a surge of acute tenderness at her plight. When was the last time he’d seen a woman try so hard to circumvent any mention of what amounted to no more than a chaste, albeit soul-shattering, kiss? “And I concur wholeheartedly with your decision. The more intimate moments of our exchange should be kept private, not only because hearing about them would upset your father but because there aren’t words to describe the magic that occurs when you’re in my arms.”
He could actually see the tiny shiver that ran through her. “It’s never going to happen again,” she whispered, her tone as unconvincing as her pledge.
“Oh, yes it is.” Dustin’s need to hold her was a palpable ache in his chest—one he refused to succumb to. “Not just again, but again after that. It’s as inevitable as dawn, as compelling as darkness. However, it will be up to you to determine when and where.”
She was struggling to stay afloat. Guilt apprised him that he wasn’t helping.
“Let’s get back to the subject at hand,” he suggested, heeding his inner voice. “Why does your father want to see me?”
“Partially, to discuss the men who are after him. Partially to … to …” Her flush deepened.
“To make certain I won’t take advantage of his daughter,” Dustin finished for her.
She looked startled, her eyes widening in reaction.
“As I told you, Derby, I was raised by a highly principled man. I well understand honor.” He met and held her gaze. “You said that you trust me.”
“I do.”
“Then trust me not to take advantage of you or hurt you in any way. Even if it means sacrificing my own needs. And yours.”
A current of sensual awareness ran between them, softening Nicole’s eyes to a smoky violet. “All right.”
God, how he wanted her. “What time would your father like to meet?”
“At noon. Papa says that’s all the time I’ll need to win Dagger over.”
Dustin chuckled. “I suspect he’s right.”
Nicole didn’t return the smile. “Dustin,” she murmured, unaware she’d even used his given name, “At the risk of overstepping my bounds, would you go to him ? I know that’s an unusual request. You must be accustomed to summoning others, rather than vice versa. But I’m terrified that if Papa leaves the cottage …”
“He should never venture outside that house,” Dustin inserted at
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