All's Fair in Lust & War by Amber Page Page B

turned his back on her. She heard a great deal of rustling, then boxes being ripped. Unable to hide her curiosity, she walked up behind him and stood on her tiptoes, trying to see what he was working on.
    He turned and she quickly stepped back, nearly falling in the process.
    When she caught her balance she saw that he was holding two... plastic swords?
    Mark looked at her, a serious expression on his face.
    “I would like to challenge you to a duel,” he said.
    “A what?”
    “A duel. To settle the problems we seem to be having this morning. If I win you have to give up the attitude. If you win I’ll...well, I’ll do whatever you want. Leave. Stay. Draw pictures of monkeys. Whatever.”
    Becky wanted to laugh, but he didn’t seem to think what he was proposing was funny.
    “Are you serious?”
    “As a heart attack.”
    She licked her lips. “All right.”
    “Good,” he said, a smile quirking at the corners of his mouth. “Do you want to be red or blue?”
    “Um...red.”
    She reached out to take it. “This is actually kind of cool,” she said, taking a few test swings.
    He nodded, and brought his sword up into fighting position.
    “Ready?”
    “Sure,” she said, imitating his stance.
    He started to advance and they circled each other warily.
    Suddenly he struck, aiming for her stomach. She moved her sword into position just in time, batting his out of the way before striking back.
    He parried her blow and the fight was on. Soon they were whirling around the room, their swords crashing and crackling. Mark kept his expression serious, but Becky felt herself grinning.
    She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun with a guy. Or at all.
    Mark lunged forward and she backpedaled before stepping on something sharp and cold. The award she’d thrown last night. She cursed at the sudden pain, then grabbed Mark’s arm to try and keep herself from falling. Instead she overbalanced, and they fell into a heap, Mark’s big body pinning hers to the ground. He pulled one arm free and lightly tapped her forehead with his saber.
    “You’re dead,” he said.
    Becky gave in to the laughter frothing in her throat.
    “I guess you won, fair and square,” she said between giggles.
    He grinned down at her.
    “Yep. No more attitude from you, Sir knight.”
    “I don’t think I could frown if I tried right now,” she said.
    “Good. I like you better when you’re laughing.” His dark eyes took on a liquid sheen. “In fact, there’s only one expression I’d rather see,” he said.
    And without warning he took her lips with his.
    His lips crushed down on hers with an urgent demand that she give in to the heat that had been building between them—not just today, but every day since she’d returned from Vegas. And, God help her, but she couldn’t ignore it. Couldn’t say no.
    She let her mouth fall open in silent surrender, giving in to the hunger his searing kisses awakened in her. His tongue plundered her mouth, claiming every inch of it for his own.
    She twined her hands in his dark hair and pulled him closer, wanting all that he had to give. She gave up on thought, letting instinct drive her as she arched her body upward, wanting still more.
    He took that as the invitation it was, sliding one hand down her body to cup her through her panties.
    “Mmm...” he rumbled. “You’re already hot for me.”
    Becky heard herself moan as he slid his hand back up, leaving the sensitive nub of nerves that she wanted him to touch so badly. She grabbed it and put it back, whimpering.
    “Wait. Not yet,” he said. “I want you naked first.”
    “Then help me get my clothes off,” she growled, starting to squirm out of her shirt.
    He pulled it quickly over her head, then whipped her leggings off.
    “Yours, too,” she said, and within seconds his clothes had joined hers on the floor.
    Clothes gone, he lowered himself on top of her and kissed her lips again. She let him in, losing herself in the feel of