The Forbidden Innocent by Sharon Kendrick Page B

paused, because the black eyes were now looking at her with a kind of impatience—as if he was waitingfor an explanation. And maybe she should give him one. ‘They’re not my friends—they’re yours.’
    ‘Yes. So they are.’ Slowly, he walked across the room and came to stand beside her. ‘And what did you think of them?’
    Why was he doing that—standing so close that she could barely breathe? From here she could make out the musky scent of soap and sandalwood as well as being aware of the sound of his breathing and the warmth of his body. Was he trying to tantalise her with his proximity—to remind her just how warm and vital he could be? With fingers which were threatening to tremble, Ashley put her hands in her lap where he couldn’t see them. ‘Surely my opinion on your friends is irrelevant.’
    ‘Maybe it is—but I’m very interested to hear what you think. Your judgement always interests me,’ he persisted. ‘Or perhaps you’re prevaricating? What’s the matter, Ashley—don’t you like my friends and are afraid to tell me?’
    ‘I shouldn’t dream of being so rude and neither would I dream of pronouncing judgement on them. But if you insist on having my opinion, then I’ll give you one. I thought Barry was very funny.’
    ‘Oh, he is.’ His black eyes became momentarily flinty. ‘Women are always captivated by his charm—though men can usually see right through it. And Nicole? What did you think of Nicole?’
    ‘She.’ Ashley sucked in a breath. ‘She’s very beautiful.’
    ‘Yes, she is.’
    And even though she hadn’t seen any outward displays of affection, some masochistic urge made Ashley press on. ‘She seems very… fond of you.’
    Black eyes glittered. ‘Can you blame her?’
    ‘“Blame” isn’t a word I usually associate with the giving of affection, Jack.’
    ‘Oh, Ashley,’ he said, his laugh soft and low. ‘Can a man ever win an argument against you?’
    ‘I wasn’t aware that we were arguing.’
    ‘Weren’t you? Then I can only conclude that either you’re extremely naïve or extremely disingenuous.’ His features hardened as his gaze scanned her face like a searchlight, his lips curving into a smile. ‘We often disagree. It’s because we’re deeply attracted to one another—and arguing is just one way of sublimating those feelings. The conflict we create on the surface is merely a foil to hide the desire which simmers beneath the surface. It’s always there, Ashley. Always there.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘Can’t you feel it? It’s simmering now—hot and fierce and relentless. It’s making me want to take you into my arms again just the way I did on the hill, when I kissed you and you responded with a passion which blew me away.’
    ‘Jack—’
    ‘I thought that a break might make me come to my senses. Might make me realise the folly of what nearly happened. I thought if I provided myself with social diversions, that I could dismiss the incident as irrelevant. I thought that perhaps I might make myself interested in Nicole—or Kate.’ His eyes were gleaming now. ‘But
    I can’t,’ he said simply. ‘It’s you I want. I still want you. I can’t get you out of my mind, Ashley—and that’s the truth of it.’
    ‘Jack,’ she whispered again and the word sounded breathless as it caught in her dry throat. He had just said words she had never thought she’d hear—words she had longed for in the dark and sleepless hours of the night. But some bone-deep instinct told her that this was wrong—and Ashley had spent too much of her life reliant on what her instincts were telling her to ignore them now. She shook her head. ‘Please, Jack,’ she finished.
    ‘Please what?’ he questioned, his voice hardening into a husky taunt.
    She swallowed down her own desire. ‘Stop talking that way.’
    ‘What way is that?’
    ‘We
mustn’t
!’
    ‘Stop telling it like it is, you mean?’ he forged on, as if she hadn’t spoken.
    She shook her head,