Deck The Halls With Love: Lost Lords Of Pembrook Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

think?”
    She shrugged, wondering why she was prolonging her visit. She had always felt most comfortable with him, even when her thoughts had turned down dark corners where they shouldn’t. Even now she recalled the feel of him behind her, the warmth of his breath on her neck as he’d whispered in her ear. “I don’t know, and I don’t suppose it matters. I should go.”
    “Play billiards with me.”
    His eyes held a challenge that she knew had little to do with the actual game. He was daring her to stay, to risk being with him. Did he know how much she was drawn to him, how very dangerous he was to her?
    “I’ll teach you,” he said.
    She angled her chin haughtily. “I already know how to play. Litton taught me. What do I gain if I win?”
    “What would you like?”
    “For you to leave immediately.”
    He furrowed his brow. “The room?”
    “The manor, the estate, the shire.” She knew the challenge was now in her gaze, and she could see him considering it, perhaps wondering how truly skilled she was.
    “And if I win?” he asked, his voice thrumming with an undercurrent that should have frightened her off. “What do I receive?”
    “Our last night here there is to be another ball. A dance. Whichever one you want. I shall let you sign my card first.”
    He picked up her cue stick and studied it as though he were trying to determine how it had been made. “A kiss.” He shifted his gaze over to her and captured her as though he’d suddenly wrapped his arms around her. “As soon as I sink my last ball.”
    “That would be entirely inappropriate.”
    He gave her a devilish grin. “Which is why I want it.”
    “You always struck me as quite the gentleman.”
    A shadow crossed his features. “Not tonight. I’ve spent too much time contemplating past mistakes. You were one of them, you know. If I had to do it over, I would not have hurt you.”
    Not exactly what she wanted to hear. If he had it to do over, she wanted him to kiss her madly, passionately in the garden, to court her properly, to perhaps ask for her hand on bended knee. But he had never declared any feelings for her, so she had little right to be hurt. “You overstate your importance to me. A kiss from you will have no effect upon me, so I accept the challenge.”
    His eyes darkened, and she was left with the impression that she’d made a terrible mistake.
    “You may break,” he said.
    Yes, she thought, she very well might. Her heart, at least. Where he was concerned, it had once been close to shattering. Then she scolded herself. Silly chit, he was talking about the balls.
    While he went to the wall to examine the selection of cue sticks, she picked up hers, moved to the end of the table, and began to position herself as Litton had taught her.
    “Still not quite right,” Chetwyn said, his voice coming from near enough that she realized he was no longer at the wall.
    She didn’t dare give him the satisfaction of glancing over her shoulder to discern exactly where he was, but when she took a deep breath she filled her nostrils with bergamot. Close then, very close indeed. “Oh?”
    She was quite pleased that she didn’t squeak like a dormouse. Her nerves were suddenly wrung tight, and she couldn’t decide if she wanted the satisfaction of besting him or the gaining of the knowledge of what his kiss was like. She didn’t know why she was suddenly obsessed with the thought of his mouth on hers. Litton had kissed her, so she knew very well that the pressing of lips left a great deal to be desired. She had always thought there would be heat, but all she’d felt was the cold. Perhaps it was because they had been outside, the evening had been cool, and the arrival of her father and brothers had abruptly ended any stirring of embers.
    “Allow me to show you,” Chetwyn said.
    She was tempted to ignore him and smack the balls, but better to let him believe she knew not what she was doing so her victory would leave him flummoxed and