Tempting a Gentleman by Smith, Ann (bearly read books .txt) 📕

“You came to visit your friends and not me, then.”

“Don’t be daft; of course, I’ve come to see ye.” A flash of uncertainty crossed her features.

Uncertainty was not a look that suited her. He wanted to see her relaxed and smiling in his home. “Let’s adjourn to the morning room, shall we? Mrs. Gainville, a pot of coffee and tea would be wonderful.”

“Yes, Mr. Neale, right away.” His housekeeper gave Emma a push forward and whispered, “Go on, just tell him.”

Emma nodded and replied, “Me thanks for yer ear.”

Christopher pretended not to have overheard the brief words between the two and swiveled to lead Emma out of the kitchens.

He opened the door to the sparse morning room, where he normally took his morning meal. In fact, he realized all the rooms in his house lacked the warmth of a woman’s presence. Which was highlighted by the energy that trailed Emma as she walked past him.

She walked straight for the window and peered out onto the street. No surprise; Emma had been well trained by the Network to protect its assets. He lacked the mark of a PORF but had slowly accepted the fact that the Network, which had stayed on the fringes of his life as a child, now infiltrated every aspect of his world. Unmarked, he was supposed to be oblivious to the fact his entire household staff were carefully chosen members of the Network, selected to serve and protect him in anticipation of him receiving the mark as soon as he wed. Even as a child, Christopher had noted the subtle protective nature of the Hadfield staff over its masters. And his suspicion that his family was, in fact, one of the three legendary families sworn to protect the royal family was confirmed when Theo fell in love with Lord Archbroke and confessed to having inherited the PORF family volume instead of Landon. Since then, he pretended to not know of Theo and Landon’s clandestine schemes, knowing that if either of them needed his assistance, they would simply ask. But as the months went by, it became clear neither would involve him until he officially became a PORF.

Emma turned, and the sunny smile she gifted him banished his gloomy thoughts. He pulled out a chair for Emma. “I trust Mark and David have relieved Paul and Sean.”

“How do you know your watches' names?” She slid into the chair.

Leaning down to speak next to her ear, he said, “I have impeccable hearing and a mind for names and schedules.”

The scent of lemons caught his attention. But it was the devilish twinkle in her eyes as her gaze slipped to his mouth and then back to his eyes that had his breath catching in his chest.

Scant inches away, Emma twisted her face towards his. Her lips were perfectly aligned with his. The minx’s tongue peeked out at the corner of her mouth. She was pure temptation, and he declined to resist. He leaned in closer. A soft moan escaped as their lips touched. The tender kiss was intoxicating, breathtaking. He pulled back. Emma’s eyes fluttered open.

Barely louder than a whisper, Christopher said, “I’d like to do that every morn.”

Emma’s brow creased into a frown. “Every morn?”

Damnation. She had obliterated his self-control. A barrister knew better than to blurt out his thoughts. He stepped away to take a seat at the table. “Please accept my apology. I don’t know what caused me to speak without forethought.”

Her frown disappeared, and she calmly clasped her hands atop the table.

One of the newly appointed footmen entered and beamed a smile at Emma. It was the first time Christopher had seen the young fellow show any reaction since he appeared within his household. With inherent grace, Emma reached for the pot and poured. Yes, he could quickly become accustomed to her at his table.

“While I am pleased to see you, would you care to share with me the reason for this early morning visit?”

“I came to talk to ye about our agreement.”

“I’m listening.”

“I need ye to agree to hire an assistant.”

“I believe you still owe me the pleasure of your company for three more evenings.”

“Me company?” She narrowed her gaze. “Wot ever for?”

When questioned directly, his first mental response was not for the ears of an innocent.

Before he could formulate an appropriate answer, Emma challenged, “Ye don’t know, do ye?”

“I know that when you are near, I want to linger.” Not the right response.

Emma's frown returned. “Ye can linger with another woman. Me nights are reserved for work.”

“I merely meant I enjoy your company. You did agree to…”

“To dance lessons. Not yer heart stoppin’ kisses.”

He couldn’t help but tease, “So you enjoyed my kisses.”

“Aye, I’ll not deny it.”

He admired her honesty. “If I promise to behave, will you honor me with your company for the next three evenings? We don’t even have to dance, Emma. We could do whatever pleases you. All I wish for is you grant me the pleasure of your company.”

Her eyes shuttered, and she pulled her full bottom lip between her teeth before she lifted her gaze back to his. “Anythin’ I want, huh?”

“Aye.” He’d willing agree to anything for an opportunity to be alone with this mesmerizing woman.

The mouth he so desired curved into a wicked grin. “Do ye know how to sew?”

“No.”

“But ye do know how to sketch.” She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Aye. Ye can meet me at me shop.”

He was skeptical about what she had in mind for him, but he didn’t care. Closing the space between them, he shifted closer. Her breath hitched, and he stilled.

Gaze locked on his, she leaned forward and asked, “Are ye going to kiss me again to seal our bargain?”

“Would you like that?”

The woman didn’t even blink before she responded. “Aye.”

Christopher leaned in and kissed her softly. He limited himself to the pressure of her lips, not daring to seek out the taste of her. She tempted him like no other. He