Almost Perfect by Denise Domning Page B

of her back. It was more temptation than Lucien could resist. He caught it, this time bringing it to his lips, savoring its silky smoothness and the smell of roses.
    “My lord, I came to Lord Ryecroft’s house party anticipating the card playing. My father is unwilling to open his purse so I might wager,” Cassie said.
    “I beg your pardon?” Lucien asked, too far gone in desire to fully comprehend what she said.
    “I said I haven’t any money with which to wager.” The new tension in her voice caught his attention. “Against that I wondered if you’d consider a game with me and an unconventional wager.”
    Some part of him registered that her question had to do with gambling and wagers. Not that he cared. All that mattered was that he had only a few hooks left to fasten and her shoulders were taut. That meant the instant he finished she’d raise her shawl and back away from him when he most definitely didn’t want any space between them.
    “What sort of wager did you have in mind?” he asked, more to keep her where she stood than out of any interest in her request. He finished the last hook. Just as he expected she jerked her shawl in place and pivoted, backing toward her door.
    “I’d like to offer you a stroll, calling its value two pounds.”
    His interest more than piqued, Lucien studied her. Light from the window at the corridor’s end touched her face, marking her cheekbone and the regal lift of her brow. Her brown eyes looked as warm and rich as chocolate. Lord, but he liked the sultry way her lips curved.
    “That’s an expensive walk,” he replied, wondering if she had anything more alluring to offer.
    Disappointment danced in her eyes, then faded. “I suppose you’d say the same about a dance?”
    The movement of her mouth as she spoke was mesmerizing. It wasn’t a dance he wanted from her, but something far more intimate. “I think I must.”
    “What would you consider an acceptable stake in a game between us?” She nipped at her lower lip, waiting for his response.
    A game between them, a wonderful, exotic game. Desire lapped at Lucien the way the ocean washed over the beach. His eyes closed halfway. His attention wouldn’t shift from her glorious mouth.
    “A kiss,” he said.
    Yes. A kiss. That’s what he wanted from her. That’s what he needed. At that moment if she’d asked him to stake his entire estate against a chance to kiss her he’d have willingly done it.
    “Oh,” Cassie breathed, warm color staining her cheeks. She pressed a hand against her throat and stepped back again only to collide with her door. It swung open, giving Lucien a good view of a chamber strewn with feminine frippery. The chaos only made the neat line of garments on the end of the bed all the more noticeable.
    His gaze caught on the corset. The memory of last night and the waltz returned; with it came the feel of boning against his hand as he held Cassie. She didn’t eschew corsets.
    He glanced at her feet. They were bare inside her shoes. Of course they were. Her stockings lay on the bed’s end.
    Then, what was she doing out here in the corridor naked beneath her gown, pretending she needed his assistance to finish her toilette?
    What else, but seducing him? Knowing that she wanted him the way he wanted her sent Lucien’s longing to have her almost past containment.
    “This was a mistake,” Cassie said, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
    Oh no. She’d desired him enough to play temptress. He wouldn’t let her courage fail her now, not with the need to again run his fingers down the length of her spine tormenting him.
    “You said you wished to play cards,” he crooned, playing spider to her fly. “The stake is nothing more than a single kiss. Barely improper.”
    Again, she nibbled at her lower lip. Dear God, but he wanted the chance to do that for himself. She shook her head. “I can’t.”
    She started to turn toward her chamber. Lucien caught her by the hand, his fingers slipping