Enchanted by Your Kisses Read Online Free Page A

his wicked good looks, for she could think of nothing else that would do it.
    She would not think of it. She would compose herself and then go in and find Cousin Phoebe to tell her she wanted to leave. She'd done what she'd set out to do. She'd made an appearance in society. Even danced a set.
    A dance that has left you shaken.
    No, she corrected herself. It wasn't the dance. It was the man himself. She was honest enough to admit that. There was something about him, something that both frightened and exhilarated her. When he touched his palm to hers, she'd found herself thinking more than once that there was more to him than met the eye. It was that which alerted her to danger and that which piqued her curiosity.
    She found a bench at the edge of the lawn far away from the ballroom and prying eyes. Spreading her lavender skirts, she sat down upon the stone seat. Coldness seeped through her dress, but it failed to chill her. Warmth from her dance still permeated her blood. Was it because she sensed within him a kindred spirit? Someone who also endured his share of rude and offensive looks? Is that what it was? Truly, she did not know.
    "There you are."
    And as if she'd conjured him up, the object of her thoughts stood before her. Light from the ballroom shone on the right side of his face, leaving his left in shadow. And though with the scar he looked roguishly handsome, without it he looked devastatingly handsome. The sight took her breath away. Forceful, silver eyes were like enigmatic pools of mercury, his lips a sensuous invitation that smiled down at her invitingly.
    "You raced away so quickly, we didn't have time to say good-bye."
    And all she did was stare, and with that stare came the oddest emotion. . .almost a desire. But that was ridiculous. She'd only just met the man.
    Slowly she stood. Her dress rustled as she did so, dew collecting upon the edge of her gown and moistening her slippers.
    "You followed me."
    Even in the darkness she could see him lift a wry black brow. "How very astute of you to notice."
    And still a part of her liked his dry humor. Liked it very well indeed. "Yes, well, I truly wish you hadn't. Just right now I wish to be left alone."
    The brow dropped. "Indeed. Off to lick your wounds, my lady?" He invaded her space, not because he moved toward her, but because of the sensual way he looked at her. Even in darkness she could see his eyes flame. "Or are you afraid of me?" And this time he did lean toward her.
    "Why should I be afraid of you?"
    He shrugged broad, powerful shoulders. "No reason."
    The heat increased. Ah, but she was afraid of him, though she refused to let him see it.
    "And I repeat, sir, what concern is it of yours if I run away or not?"
    "Because I refuse to let you do so."
    "I don't need your permission to stay or go."
    "No, but it would be a shame to run away before the game has begun," he said mockingly, his expression one of disappointment.
    "What game?" she asked, confusion filling her.
    He stared down at her, Ariel growing uncomfortable as she waited for his response. He straightened, a gleam in his eyes sparking, or perhaps it was the moonlight. "I've decided to help you."
    "With what?"
    "Getting even."
    She laughed, she couldn't help it. "I see. And what do you propose to do? Help me put snakes in everyone's bedroom? Perhaps cockroaches in their soup?"
    "I would certainly like to join you in a bedroom."
    Her pulse leaped. And though she told herself he behaved exactly like Archie had, she still felt that surge of excitement that he would say such a thing to her. Gracious, but it'd been a long time since a man flirted with her. She forced herself to relax her stance, to look up at the stars.
    "What are you doing?" he asked, when she said nothing further.
    "Looking to see if pigs are flying, for that is about when you will ever find me in a bedroom with you."
    He laughed. She liked his laugh. Deep. Masculine. Hearty.
    "You have quite a tongue on you, my lady."
    "Yes, well, I