She shook her head helplessly and shifted back. “I don’t know. I’m so stupid.”
“You must know your cooperation indicated consent.”
“No.” She retreated again.
“Watch out.” He grabbed her forearms and hauled her away from the crumbly bank before she ended up in the drink. She trembled in his hold. Whether from her near fall or from his proximity, he wasn’t sure.
“Take me back,” she said on a whisper, without trying to break free.
“After I’ve worked so hard to get you alone? I don’t think so.”
The eyes she raised to his were stark blue. Nervously she licked her lips, and the sight of the pink tip of her tongue blasted heat through him. “You won’t get what you want.”
He couldn’t help laughing, stepping back and drawing her with him. “We both know I can have you on your back in ten minutes. Five if I really try.”
Arrogance was the wrong approach. He realized it the instant temper flashed in her eyes. At least anger dissipated the vulnerability that left him so uncomfortable.
Her body became as rigid as a ruler. “Only if you intend to coerce me.”
She tried to awaken his better self. Little did she know his better self had given up the ghost years ago. “Brave words.”
She tilted her chin and glared at him. “True words.”
“We’ll see.”
“You’re so sure of yourself. It’s not attractive.”
Ranelaw smiled. He loved that she fought him. He’d love it more if she stopped. “So why are you still in my arms?”
“Because you won’t release me.”
He raised his hands palm upward with a mock apologetic gesture. “You’re free, madam.”
He
r eyes darkened with tempestuous emotion. Anger? Desire? Then her lashes swept down and her mouth lengthened with determination.
Would she stay?
Would she run?
Suspense tightened every muscle as he awaited her decision. After a breathless second, she whipped her skirts to the side with haughtiness worthy of a duchess. Her head high, she marched toward her chestnut, peacefully cropping at the rich grass.
Damn it. By now, he should know better than to challenge her.
Chapter Eight
Antonia staggered as a strong, masculine hand curled over her shoulder and whipped her around.
“Oh, no, my lovely,” Ranelaw bit out.
She glared at him, panting with outrage. And, much as she wished otherwise, excitement. She’d known he wouldn’t let her go. The promise he would was just another game on this fine morning that suddenly bristled with danger.
Why in heaven’s name was she here? She’d had a hundred opportunities to turn back. But Ranelaw had lured her with the one bait she couldn’t resist. The overwhelming temptation to find out more about him. In spite of gossip, she knew virtually nothing of the real man.
“You understood what would happen if you came with me.”
Had she? She’d never imagined she was at real risk of losing her nonexistent virtue. But the purposeful light in his eyes and the hard line of his jaw indicated he intended to tumble her on this verdant stream bank.