A Most Inconvenient Wish Read Free Page B

further.
    â€œI would not have hurt you.”
    He moved closer to her and she tensed but did not run away. With the door partially open and cool air circulating, she could control the fear better.
    â€œI know you won’t hurt me.”
    â€œAre you still cold?”
    She shook her head, clutching the edges of his coat to her chest. “Do you wish to have your coat back?”
    â€œNo.”
    He moved closer, slowly, not in a threatening way but with purpose. Sophia could feel her pulse speed up, but she fought the urge to run. He wasn’t an angry man. And she wasn’t fifteen. “What are you doing?”
    â€œTesting a theory.” His voice was soft, gentle.
    â€œI’m not some insect for you to dissect and examine.”
    Ian halted in front of her, scrutinizing her. The panic she had felt earlier didn’t rise up as much this time. She had the open door beside her. She could see the outside. Still, she wanted Ian McDonald at a distance. There was something about him that pulled at emotions within her that she’d not felt in a very long time. Emotions that drove her to make hasty decisions; change the course of her life. More space was needed here. She stepped away from him.
    Ian McDonald must never know how much she was attracted to him. She had no intention of becoming emotionally involved with the son of a steward, no matter how rich and handsome he was.
    He brushed a strand of hair from her face, then another, almost as he would a child. She waited for the panic but none came. Instead was this quivery feeling of anticipation.
    His touch was so gentle, so caring, Sophia closed her eyes to keep him from seeing the longing welling inside her. Her heart longed for more of this cherishing touch, but she couldn’t let herself be ruled by it. She made as if to step back again, put some distance between them, before Ian’s touch, his scent, his very maleness, reeled her in like a fish on a hook.
    â€œDon’t,” he whispered.
    Sophia’s eyes flew to his face and widened at the emotion she saw there. His eyes darkened to the color of the storm clouds outside the doorway. He gazed at her face, her mouth. What did he want from her? Her heart thumped in her chest, but she didn’t fear him. It was a novel feeling.
    Ian stepped closer, and instinctively, Sophia stepped back until she could go no farther, the door frame against her back. Cool, fresh air from the passing rain washed over her face, calming her. He moved closer to her, his hands at his sides, nonthreatening. His eyes focused on her mouth.
    He was going to kiss her. Sophia was torn between wanting to know what his mouth on hers would feel like and worrying that she’d give away how drawn she was to him. His eyes burned a deep, stormy blue. She felt her breathing quicken, her pulse race.
    Ian bent his head to hers, allowing his mouth to brush oh so softly against hers. He lifted his head to see if she was panicking. He dipped his head again, his tongue worrying the spot where she’d bitten her lip.
    The only place where he touched her was her mouth. His stance, his arms remained steady, nonthreatening. But oh, his mouth!
    Sophia’s eyes drifted closed as Ian’s lips fit between hers in a perfect kiss. One kiss followed another. Sophia’s hands itched to touch him, pull him closer. Never had anyone made her feel like this. Never had her blood felt like syrup running through her body.
    He lifted away, ending the kiss. Her eyes opened as she watched him, waiting to see what would happen next. He nodded to himself, as if she’d been some problem he’d worked out in his head.
    â€œDid you discover what you wanted, Mr. McDonald?” she asked.
    â€œNot quite. I think it will require more study.”
    * * *
    Ian watched as Sophia’s jaw tightened in anger, even as her cheeks flushed. She pushed past him and stepped into the rain.
    â€œWhere are you going?” He