Laird of the Game by Lori Leigh

young man stood in front of her, picked up her hand, and kissed her fingertips.
    His dark wavy hair gave him a very sophisticated appearance. Daniel was elegant, she thought to herself. His emotions were held tightly in check, and the outward smile was practiced and meant to deceive. The depth of this charming man captivated her.
    His smile slowly changed, and she got a glimpse of the excruciatingly, gorgeous man beneath the facade. His devastating green eyes reflected a smoldering sensuality that was just barely held in place. His physique was made for a sculptor, with fine lines in his face, lean waist, and broad shoulders. He could be her David and pose for her any time.
    “Beautiful lady,” Daniel said gently.
    His scrutiny was as intense as hers and had similar results, she guessed. “You see way beyond the sight of most men, Daniel,” she said with a voice that was suddenly wispy.
    Her gaze held his for a moment and Daniel felt wonderful from her attention. They were well aware of their charisma when it came to the ladies. The four older brothers were well acquainted with the boudoirs and social functions in London.
    “Gideon,” Alex growled in her ear.
    Gideon bent and kissed her lips. “Cherished one,” he said gallantly. Melissa gazed up at him and smiled. His resistance perished instantly.
    “You have a special gift, and I am honored to meet you, Gideon.” He was also tall and lean like his brothers but also had strength in his spirit. His presence had a calming affect on her, and she felt like she could sit down and tell him anything and he would listen and care. He, too, hadn’t shaved in awhile and had the beginnings of a dark beard and mustache and much longer hair that was tied with a leather thong at the base of his neck. He was ruggedly handsome and very sensual.
    “Robert.” Alex watched her carefully as Robert stepped forward. He was a special favorite with the ladies in London. Tall, lean, and muscular, his reputation for pleasing women was well earned.
    He had long straight hair that was loose around his shoulders and gave him a look of untamed sultry sexuality, just waiting to be caressed. His eyes, she noticed, were a green and gray fringed in dark lashes. He bowed and then kissed her lightly on the lips.
    “You are a maker of worlds, Robert.”
    Alex tightened his hold on her waist. “Are ye all right, lass? Do ye need a glass of water? Take a few deep breaths. That will help.”
    Melissa thought a fire hose would be appropriate to cool her down. She nodded and let out a long, slow sigh.
    Alex noted his brothers were pleased with her reaction. They weren’t called playboys because they were monks. He looked at his brothers with his mouth set in a grim line and his eyes narrowed. It was a, don’t you even think about it kind of look that made them back down.
    They were testing her and his patience. He was proud of her. So far they hadn’t managed to persuade her to leave his side. Of course, he did have an iron grip on her. The reaction was expected. It was their best effort, and she seemed only mildly affected, compared to the reaction she had when Alex had kissed her.
    “Iain is one of the twins.”
    “My escort,” she mentioned. It was Iain who had come to bring her downstairs. His dark hair was also curly and down to his shirt collar. His eyes were almost blue-green and long dark lashes that gave him a look that said: I am in that secret garden waiting for you and will make love to you beyond your wildest dreams.
    Iain dropped on one knee in front of her and kissed her hand. “I am yours for eternity.”
    Alex knew he was just looking at her bare belly and growled a warning in Gaelic.
    “Evan is the other twin,” Alex said.
    Melissa’s smile was radiant. “I remember you. You are intuitive, Evan.”
    Evan smiled in that devil-may-care way that Alex used on her. Their charisma was genuine, she surmised, and Evan bent down, gently lifted her chin with the tip of his finger,