Shana Galen by When Dashing Met Danger Page B

used it on Seaton.
    “I told Seaton I was worried because I hadn’t heard from John in some time. He became concerned as well.”
    Alex shrugged. “So?”
    “So!” She threw him an impatient glance. “So, if Seaton knew John was in London, secluded with some trollop, he would have tried to ease my fears,” she explained slowly, her voice pedantic. “He’d tell me that I’d surely hear from John soon and not to worry my pretty little head.” She waved a hand. “Men can’t bear to see a woman in distress. If theycan reassure her, they always will.” She fluttered her eyelids, almost a mock of her earlier seductive gesture.
    Alex raised a brow at her latest naïve observation.
    “Seaton didn’t reassure me,” she said with a decisive nod. “He was concerned about John, too. In fact, he even offered to look into the matter.”
    Alex started forward. “I hope you disabused him of that notion.”
    “I told him that I’d call on him if I required further assistance.” She gave him another flirtatious glance. “Does that meet with your approval, Lord Selbourne?”
    He leaned against the banister again. “Yes. Unfortunately, nothing you’ve said is of much use to me.”
    “What do you mean?” She straightened, hands flying to her hips. “I just told you—”
    “It means I’m no further in my investigation than before.”
    “ We are no further in our investigation than before.” She pointed a finger at him. “And you’re wrong. I’ve just ruled out the possibility that John is in London.”
    “I’ll make that determination after I visit John’s tailors and the other shops he patronizes in the morning.”
    “But that’s wasting precious time. John must have left for the Continent. As I see it, the only matter to be discussed is our next step.”
    She would see it that way. At that moment Alex could have cheerfully reached out and strangled her. He settled for taking firm hold of her arms. Leaning close for emphasis, he said, “I am only going to say this one more time, so listen closely, Lucia. I do not want nor need your help in this matter.”
    His glare met hers, but instead of cool disdain, hefelt a flush of heat radiate from her. Her breathing had shallowed, and he became aware of the softness of her breasts, pressed intimately against him. Her arms above her white satin gloves were warm, the skin itself coming alive in response to his touch. He caressed her arm lightly with his thumbs, liking the feel of her softness under his callused fingers.
    He wanted her—more than he cared to admit. The realization hit him like the smack of heat from an inferno. She irritated and intrigued him all at once, and the mixture of emotions was confusing as hell. He knew one sure way to sort it out.
    He moved his hands down her arms. It would take only the smallest movement to place his hands on her waist, then her hips, then…
    He focused on her mouth, and she chose that moment to open it in reply. Alex placed one finger over her lips, and she gasped at his touch. In the weak light from the Oriental lanterns, her eyes shone wide and luminous.
    And dark. They were dark with desire and promise. If he looked too long, he could drown in the deep waters of her eyes, incapable of breaking free to the surface.
    Unable to stop himself, he stroked her sensitive lower lip with the pad of his thumb. He wanted to lose himself in her, if only for the moment. Her lips were rosy against the bronze skin of his hand, and he paused, absorbed by the contrast. She parted her lips then, and his thumb grazed her front teeth. He felt her tongue taste his skin tentatively, and he wondered who was seducing whom.
    Their gazes locked again, and Alex felt her shiver as she closed her eyes. His thumb traced a path from her lips across the elegant bones of her jaw and cheek,and he cupped her face in his palm, leaning close, wanting to feel the fullness of her lips under his.
    “Lucia?”
    She stiffened.
    “Lucia?” Her name was