Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 20

"You wagered your freedom against the sheik's horses?" Anne asked as Cedric paused to finish the last bit of his dinner.

He moved to stand. "Indeed."

"I don't believe you."

"It does not require your belief to be true," he said, passing her by.

"Aren't you going to tell me what really happened?"

"If you would join me on the settee, then I shall."

Anne rose to her feet as well and moved toward him. "And if I don't?" Anne returned cautiously. She had every intention of joining him, but wanted to see just how much he was up to the challenge of wooing her. Emily was right-Cedric needed a challenge to keep him interested.

"Then your curiosity must forever go unsatisfied." Cedric felt his way over to the settee and then seated himself. Anne was on the verge of smiling or snorting at his arrogance, she wasn't sure which.

"You believe my curiosity is that strong? Do you claim to know me so well?"

Cedric smirked. "Only a dimwitted fool would not desperately want to know how I escaped the clutches of an evil slave trader and returned victorious with a pair of the man's best horses. And you, my lovely diamond, are anything but a fool. You cannot resist knowing how I avoided a nasty fate, such as a eunuch for an Arab's harem."

As Cedric spoke, Anne drifted closer and closer to the settee until she surprised herself by sliding into the space left open next to him. Like a foal lured with the promise of sugar cubes, she waited eagerly for him to share the rest of his tale.

"A eunuch? Oh please, tell me the rest!" She didn't even realize she was tugging his sleeve like a spoiled child until he seized her. Cedric wrapped a possessive arm around her waist and dragged her onto his lap. Anne fought off the panic at their sudden proximity, but when his muscles tensed around her she ceased, giving up the fight.

"You really do love to humiliate me, don't you, Lord Sheridan?" She settled herself on his lap, then jerked violently after feeling a particularly stiff part of his anatomy directly beneath her.

"Christ, woman! Easy or I won't be able to demand my marital rights." Cedric eyed her askance before adding, "Maybe that's what you want, you little hellion."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm just not used to..." She waved a hand helplessly at his lap. "That thing making an appearance."

"You've a lot to learn about men. That thing, as you call it, will be making many appearances. And as my wife you'll be attending to it, just as I will be attending to your needs." He leaned close to her, his long brown eyelashes fanning out as his sightless eyes seemed to search in vain for a glimpse of her lips.

"Would you do something for me, Anne, darling?" he asked. He'd called her many endearments, but Anne, darling seemed to stir something deep inside her.

Anne's heart's tempo shot up when he called her my heart. She knew logically that he, like any rake, threw such sweet endearments out frequently and meant nothing by them. She couldn't help but wonder if each pet name he came up with would continue to move her until she was half in love with him.

Cedric nuzzled her cheek, moving down to her throat. Anne shifted on his lap as a wave of lust uncoiled in her belly. She could not give in to his seduction or lose her heart to him. It would devastate her when he would not be willing or able to love her back as she feared.

"So what happened?" she persisted.

Cedric sighed in disappointment. "You are very determined this evening, aren't you?" He moved his face back, his unseeing eyes aimed several inches to the left of her face.

"I am when you tease me with a tale of Arab slave traders, horses and harems."

"Very well, I shall satisfy your curiosity. But know this, you will satisfy me when I come to you with my own desires."

Anne said nothing, forcing herself to regain control before any unbidden images of Cedric and his desires took hold of her focus.

"It was a warm evening in March of last year. Ashton and I were at Berkeley's for the night playing cards with a friend..."