Stormy Challenge by Stephanie James, Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

aggressively. Going on the offense was the only thing she could think to do under the circumstances.
    Perhaps she could bluff him.
    "You allowed me to believe you were accepting my invitation and you know it," he returned coolly.
    "You assume far too much!"
    "Because I want you so much," he countered. "Although at the moment I might find it more satisfying to beat you than make love to you!"
    "How did you get in here?" she shot back suspiciously, her mouth hardening with hostility. "The front door was locked. I know it was locked!"
    "Ah, but not with a Brandon Security Systems lock," he murmured. "You really should use the family brand, Leya. It's very good, and living alone in a big house like this you should take every precaution!"
    "This is the first time in two years I've had any reason to worry!"
    "Are you worried, little Leya? If so, then I commend your intelligence."
    "Are you resorting to threats, Court?" she demanded boldly.

    "I told you once I prefer the easiest, least taxing methods."
    "Get out of here!" she hissed violently.
    He moved abruptly, starting toward her with long, lean strides that ate up the distance between them before she could get back into the bathroom and lock the door. Her hand was on the knob behind her when his fingers closed on her bare shoulder.
    He jerked her toward him, bringing her close against his long-sleeved yellow shirt and dark brown slacks. He wasn't wearing a necktie, and the open collar revealed the tanned line of his throat and the beginnings of crisp, curling chest hair.
    "Stop it!" Leya clutched frantically at the towel's insecure fastening, which was threatening to come undone under the violent treatment it was receiving.
    He grasped both of her wrists and puiied them around behind his back, forcing her head to tip up and her eyes to meet his.
    "The only way you're going to keep that towel in place," he pointed out with drawling amusement, "is to stand very close to me. The fact that it's still between us is your best hope right now."
    "Take your hands off me," she snarled, knowing herself physically helpless and hating the sensation. "You're behaving like a ... a ..." Words failed her.
    "Like something besides a gentleman?" he suggested almost mildly, eyes gleaming as he forced her close. "But you have only yourself to blame for that, don't you? A lady who makes plans to break a date shouldn't expect too chivalrous a response from the man involved!"
    "I've told you, I never agreed to go out with you tonight! You ordered me to do so, but for your information, that is not considered the same as an invitation!"
    "Details," he growled softly, lowering his head to touch her forehead and then her cheekbones with his lips. "But I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. Unlike some people I know! Show me you're sorry and I'll show you how lenient I can be. Come on, Leya, a pretty little apology." he coaxed with mocking charm as he feathered her face with more and more warm, tiny kisses. Kisses that beguiled and cajoled just as they had that night she had almost wound up in his bed, Leya reminded herself fiercely, as she tried to retain her basic good sense.
    "Court, you've had your big scene," she muttered, aware of the heat in her body and terribly afraid he must know of it also. She had so little on that she was literally unable to clothe her reactions. "Please get out of here and let me get dressed!"
    "But I like you wearing only a towel," he whispered deeply, his teeth nibbling at her ear and the sensitive area behind it. "You seem much less formidable this way, do you know that? And the softness of your hair is an invitation to any man, especially one who happens to be in your bedroom."
    "Please!" she almost begged, acutely aware of her body's rising tide of response.
    How could she let this—this liar take advantage of her? What was wrong with her?
    But she had been thinking of him all day, and it was as if his sudden and totally unexpected presence in her room was the result of