Kathryn Smith - [Friends 03] by Into Temptation Page B

the most satisfying things she had ever seen. Those low, darkly arched brows of his lifted, creasing his forehead and widening his eyes in an expression of thick-lashed amazement.
    "I beg your pardon?" He looked as though he couldn't decide whether to be angry or to laugh.
    She had come this far, she couldn't turn back now. Squaring her shoulders, she met his dark gaze evenly. "It was bad enough that you arrived at my home uninvited, Lord Rexley, even worse that I was forced to offer you any hospitality at all, but to find you prowling about at this hour— "
    "I am not prowling," he interrupted with an amused expression as he held up the book in his hand. "I am reading."
    Heat flushed Sophia's cheeks. Trying to make a fool of her, was he? Well, she didn't need him to do that.
    "You are sitting in my chair," she continued petulantly. "And you are drinking wine that was left here for my purposes."
    Setting aside his book, Julian rose to his feet. He was so tall, so lean and intense. He reminded Sophia of a wolf she'd seen once on display. Long and rangy, the beast had looked more like a lanky dog than a wild animal. It had even let her touch it, but Sophia knew that it would kill her without hesitation if it deemed it necessary.
    What would Julian Rexley do to her if he thought it necessary?
    "Forgive me," he said in a deceptively mild tone. "I had no idea. There is more wine and another glass if you would like some."
    "What I would like," she replied, peevish at his gentlemanly behavior, "is to have some peace and quiet. Can you not take your book and your wine back to your room?"
    His lips tilted upward on one side. It made him look cute and boyish. No doubt he'd rehearsed it many times in his looking glass.
    "It is warmer down here."
    A wave of guilt washed over Sophia. Of course it was. His room was in the far end of the house— the coldest end.
    Despite her earlier thoughts, she really didn't want him to freeze. He might catch cold— and that would mean a lengthier stay.
    "Then you should stay here." How quickly her backbone dissolved where he was concerned! "I will go."
    "The room is not that small," his voice came brusquely as she turned to go. "Cannot we make the best of the situation and share it?"
    Lord, the man didn't live up to only the "wolf" in his name but the "ram" as well. He was as stubborn and single-minded as an old goat. Why did he want her to stay?
    Frowning, she faced him. He seemed hesitant as he met her gaze. Surely he didn't desire her company, did he? No, it was impossible. He despised her— even more than she despised him, blast it all.
    She raised a brow. "I cannot imagine the two of us sharing anything."
    What disgustingly awful choice of words, because it conjured up all kinds of naughty images and painful memories— such as all the breath, touches, and secrets they had once shared.
    Tilting his head to one side, he didn't look as though he agreed with her. "I believe we share something already."
    "What?" Yes, what? A past? A creeping discomfort that was somehow strangely appealing whenever the other was near?
    His expression softened, revealing just a hint of vulnerability. "Affection for my sister."
    Oh! That wasn't what she had expected. "You believe I care for Letitia then? That I am not out to corrupt her with my wickedness?"
    The thinning of his mouth told her that the thought had crossed his mind— and that he hadn't completely given it up, either.
    "She is a difficult young woman, Lady Aberley," he replied. "You must love her, otherwise a woman of your rank would not bother with her."
    Something in the region of Sophia's heart swelled and began to ache. The blackguard. He always seemed to know what to say to her to get the reaction he wanted.
    "Oh." Unable to stare into those bright eyes of his any longer, Sophia dropped her gaze to his neck. His throat was smooth, his flesh shifting over cords and muscle as he moved, his Adam's apple dipping ever so slightly when he swallowed. She