Jacquie D’Alessandro - Touch Me

Genevieve’s brows shot upward. “I believe that’s what I should ask you, seeing as you’re trespassing on my property.”

“And I’ll be delighted to tell you-as soon as you put down your weapon. Unless you plan to shoot me?”

“You’re fortunate I didn’t.”

Now his brows rose. “Do you know how to use that thing?”

She smiled sweetly. “Perfectly. Would you care for a demonstration?”

“Ah, no. Happy to take your word for it. Now if you wouldn’t mind…” He gave the pistol a pointed look then jerked his head toward the rim of the spring.

“You seem a bit unsettled, Mr. Cooper.”

“Do I? No doubt because I’m surprised. I wasn’t anticipating having a pistol pointed at me.” His gaze swept over her. “Or running across a wet, naked woman.”

Heat that had nothing to do with the warm water rippled through Genevieve. Raising her chin she informed him, “I’m not naked.”

“How…unfortunate.” He gave the pistol another pointed stare. “I assure you that weapon isn’t necessary.”

She slowly set the pistol aside, fighting her reluctance to do so. Even though she didn’t believe he meant her any harm, releasing the cool metal rendered her vulnerable, especially given her lack of clothing and the fact that she was up to her shoulders in water.

After placing the weapon next to her pile of clothing, she quickly submerged her hands and glared up at him, anger replacing her surprise. “You nearly startled me out of my skin. What are you doing here?” She narrowed her eyes. “Are you spying on me?”

“No.” His gaze skimmed over her, lingering for several seconds on the swell of her breasts visible above the bubbling water before returning to her eyes. “Although had I known I’d make such a delightful discovery, I would have-”

“Spied on me?” she asked in her most scathing voice.

“Arrived here sooner.”

His quiet words hung in the air between them, momentarily stealing Genevieve’s ability to speak. If he’d arrived any sooner, or with any sort of stealth, he would have seen her pleasuring herself. Her nipples hardened at the thought and she scooted down a bit lower.

“You still haven’t explained your presence, Mr. Cooper.” Botheration, instead of sounding annoyed, she sounded absolutely breathless.

“Beauty,” he said, nodding toward the edge of the spring. Genevieve turned. His mischievous puppy stood next to her pile of clothing, tongue lolling, tail wagging. Upon hearing her name, Beauty barked twice.

“That beast has run me all over Little Longstone,” Mr. Cooper said. “She managed to chew through her lead and led me on a merry chase that brought me here.”

As he spoke, Beauty let out a huge yawn, circled twice, then settled herself atop Genevieve’s clothing and closed her eyes.

“Oh, that’s rich,” Mr. Cooper said, his voice half amused, half aggravated. “I’ve trotted over half the kingdom trying to catch up with that imp, and now she decides to take a nap.” He shot the sleepy puppy an exasperated look. “Why couldn’t you have decided to do this several miles ago?”

Genevieve pressed her lips together to suppress her amusement. “Exercise is good for both the body and the spirit, Mr. Cooper.”

“Yes, in the morning or afternoon. Or even the early evening. At midnight, however, it is merely an aggravation.” He scowled at his pet who’d already fallen asleep, then shifted his attention back to Genevieve. “Would you like a dog?”

She laughed at his disgruntled tone. “No, thank you. If I brought home a puppy, I’m certain Sophia would be most displeased.”

“Would you like to trade pets?”

“I’m almost tempted to agree just to call your bluff. You adore that puppy and you know it.”

“ Now I do. She’s an angel when she’s sleeping.”

“What happened to the man who enjoyed a challenge?”

“He’s right here-out of breath from all the running he’s done after that mischievous beast…and looking at you.” He moved to the edge of the spring and crouched down, resting his forearms on his knees. “And what an exquisite view it is. Now it’s your turn. What are you doing here?”

“Surely that is obvious. I’m taking the waters.”

“At this time of night?” He looked around. “Alone?”

“I often take the waters at night. It helps me to sleep. And I was alone-until you and Beauty crashed into the clearing.”

He lowered one arm and dipped his fingertips into the water. “Baxter isn’t nearby to protect you?”

“No.”

“As protective as he is of you, I can only assume he doesn’t know you’re here.”

“No, he doesn’t. Not that it’s any of his concern. Or yours. I have my pistol for protection. But this isn’t London, Mr. Cooper. There aren’t footpads lurking in the shadows. Indeed, this is the first time I’ve ever encountered anyone on one of my nocturnal visits.”

“So you do this often-come here at night?”

She pulled her gaze away from the oddly arousing sight of his long fingers slowly circling the surface of the water and hiked up her chin another notch. “As a matter of fact I do, yes.”

“And you came tonight because you couldn’t sleep.” His soft, husky words were a statement rather than a question.

“Yes. That and the fact that the weather is perfect for a brisk walk and a soak.”

“Why couldn’t you sleep?”

Because I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Imagining you touching me. Kissing me. Making love to me. Because the desire I feel for you is so overwhelming, I can barely think properly . “No particular reason. I just have a great deal on my mind.”

“Something we have in common. I couldn’t sleep either. That is why I thought to take Beauty for a walk-to tire us both out.”

She arched a glance toward the sleeping dog. “It worked very well for Beauty.”

“Yes. Not so well for me.”

Silence swelled between them. His eyes glittered and his hand kept drawing those slow, hypnotic circles in the water. Genevieve had to fight to keep her breathing slow and steady under his unwavering regard. Her better judgment coughed to life, demanding she tell him to leave. Immediately. But she couldn’t seem to force the words from her suddenly dry throat. Indeed, all she could do was stare back at him. And wonder if he was experiencing this same stifling tension and profound attraction that was all but suffocating her.

His gaze flicked to his circling hand. “The water feels good. Warm.”

She nodded and forced out the only word she could manage. “Yes.”

His gaze burned into hers. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I couldn’t sleep?”

She had to swallow twice to locate her voice, and even then it only came out in a whisper. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”

“Because of you.” He sat down on the ledge and yanked off one of his low boots. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He tossed the boot aside, peeled off his stocking, then applied himself to his other boot.

She gaped at his bare foot. She opened her mouth to speak-only to discover that her jaw was hanging open. “Wh-what are you doing?”

“Telling you why I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was your face. Your smile. Your eyes. Do you have any idea how extraordinary your eyes are?”

“No-”

“They’re the most gorgeous shade of blue I’ve ever seen. Like a cloudless sky on a summer day. And those gold flecks in them…stunning. And so expressive.” He tossed aside the second boot and stocking. “But they’re not always. Sometimes they’re frustratingly difficult to read-”

“No, I meant what are you doing with your boots.”