Jacquie D’Alessandro - Touch Me

Yet she needed to recall that she didn’t know this man. And even if she did, it wouldn’t matter. She pressed her gloved hands together, wincing at the soreness in her joints. She wouldn’t, couldn’t allow things between them to advance beyond a mild flirtation under any circumstances. She had no reason to trust him. Indeed, she had more reason to be suspicious of him and of his motives for coming to Little Longstone, for seeking her out. And for borrowing her copy of the Ladies’ Guide. Was he on a simple holiday as he’d claimed-or on a mission to discover Charles Brightmore’s whereabouts? Why had he chosen that particular book? It was a question she needed answered. Now.

He wished to flirt? Fine. She wanted to learn his true motives and had no qualms about playing the coquette to find out what she wished to know.

“Beauty is a lovely name,” she said, “but I suspect Devil might be more apt.”

“Perhaps, but I like challenges.”

She slanted him a sideways glance. “Is that why you borrowed A Ladies’ Guide to the Pursuit of Personal Happiness and Intimate Fulfillment from me? Because you thought reading such a book would present a challenge?”

She watched him carefully, looking for any sign of guilt, but couldn’t detect anything other than a slight sheepishness in his expression. He flashed her one of his disarming smiles. “I suppose it must seem an odd choice, but the title captured my attention.”

“Why? Are you normally in the habit of reading ladies’ guides?”

He gave a light laugh. “No. I hope you don’t mind that I chose to borrow it?”

“No. Merely curious as to why you would.”

“The title struck a chord in my memory. I recalled that there was some scandal attached to the book and its author, so I thought it might be an interesting read. Certainly a departure for me. And I was right.”

Her brows shot up. “You’ve already read it?”

He nodded. “Last night.”

When he offered nothing further, she couldn’t help but ask, “And what did you think of it?”

“Given the explicit nature of the content, I can see why it caused a scandal. I also think Charles Brightmore knows more about women than any man I’ve ever met. Clearly the book required a great deal of research on his part.” “A Whiff of mischief gleamed in his eyes. “He’s a lucky man.”

“And an exiled man.” she said lightly, watching his reaction. “He left England after threats were made against him.”

He frowned then nodded. “Yes, now that you mention it, I recall hearing that as well. Shame. Personally, I think he should be awarded a trophy.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Because his book provides information not readily available anywhere else. I believe knowledge equates to power.”

She couldn’t hide her surprise. “Yet that was what those who made threats against him objected to. They didn’t want women to have such information, or anything for that matter, that might equate to power.”

“Then I can only say that those people are ignorant. Personally, I prefer well-informed, intelligent women.” His intense green gaze roamed her face. “Indeed, you might say I harbor a weakness for them.”

She ignored the warmth spreading through her at his unabashedly admiring regard. “You’re apparently a man of many weaknesses, Mr. Cooper.”

For several seconds he said nothing, just looked at her with an expression she couldn’t decipher other than to know it made her skin feel as if it were on fire. Finally he cleared his throat then said softly, “So it seems.”

She moistened her suddenly dust-dry lips, noting how his gaze dropped to her mouth. “So…you’ve no objection to women having information, even if that knowledge might lead to power?”

“Knowledge, experience, power…I find them all very attractive qualities in a woman.” His gaze again flicked to her lips. “Very attractive.”

“You’re not afraid of being…overpowered?”

His gaze caught fire and seemed to burn into hers. “I suppose that would depend on who was doing the overpowering.”

The certainty that his meaning encompassed more than knowledge rippled a secret thrill through Genevieve, one that set up an insistent throb between her thighs. She’d led the conversation into these treacherous waters to determine if he had any interest in her connection to Charles Brightmore, and, unless he was a superb actor, it appeared he didn’t. That was good, and a huge relief to be sure. The way he made her feel, however-as if her clothes were suddenly too tight and her skin too small-was not good. It was, in fact, most alarming.

Yet, she couldn’t seem to stop herself from wading further into the hot, churning waters he inspired. Wasn’t there a saying about keeping one’s friends close but one’s enemies closer? Perhaps Mr. Cooper wasn’t her enemy, but neither could she call him a friend. Besides, what harm could there be in a little flirting? He wasn’t a titled gentleman looking for a mistress, merely a steward enjoying a brief holiday. They were surrounded by hundreds of people. Nothing could or would come of it. She’d see to that. Indeed, given how he unsettled her, she had no intention of seeing him again after today. So surely there was no reason to deny herself the pleasure of indulging in a little fantasy…to pretend that she didn’t have any physical flaws that would lead to rejection. To feel that she was free to touch and be touched, and to once again simply enjoy the company and admiration of a handsome young man. She could imagine herself…overpowering him. And him retaliating.

A delicious shiver trembled down her spine. She allowed her gaze to drift slowly over him, taking in the breadth of his shoulders, his strong hands holding his now-sleeping dog, the way his snug breeches clung to his muscular thighs, the play of those muscles with every step he took. When she once again met his gaze, she could tell he knew he’d just been ogled. And that he hadn’t minded one bit. “How would someone go about overpowering a man like you, Mr. Cooper?”

“A man like me?”

“Strong. Capable.” Beautiful. Delicious. Physically perfect.

“I suppose it would depend on who was doing the overpowering. Were you referring to someone specific? Such as yourself, perhaps?”

Genevieve’s blood whooshed through her veins. “And if I were? Would I require a pistol or saber?”

Amusement kindled in his gaze. “Do you have a pistol and a saber?”

“Naturally. A woman needs protection, you know.”

“I rather thought that’s what Baxter was for.”

“He certainly deters unwanted attention.”

“When he’s not baking scones.”

Genevieve laughed. “Precisely.”

“Well, in your case, neither a pistol nor a saber would be necessary. Beautiful women have been overpowering strong men for centuries with nothing more than a single touch.”

Genevieve’s fingers curled inside her gloves and she winced at the aching soreness in her joints. A single touch …Yes, at one time she’d been capable of overpowering, seducing a man with her touch. Before the arthritis had stricken her hands-slowly at first, just a few twinges, that had increased in frequency, intensity and duration. The combination of the hot springs and her cream had offered relief and had enabled her to hide her growing discomfort from Richard for months. But when the swelling had begun, she couldn’t hide any longer.

She missed the woman she used be. Yet, since there was no point in dwelling on the past or on things she couldn’t change, she opened her mouth to steer the subject into safer waters. Before she could, however, he added softly, “Of course, if a touch doesn’t quite do the trick, there are other ways.”