Ethan had not expected her to show up in costume. But she looked so damn adorable in her tight chignon and delicate wire spectacles with her heavily starched apron and notepad, he figured it wasn't his place to complain. Quite obviously, a lot of thought was put into her work. And who was he to spoil such artful planning? Gamely, he immediately suggested they visit the library.
With a hand lightly at her elbow, he guided her away from Thurman, manning the door of Lark House, and through a maze of corridors towards the rear of the house to the room he'd not entered in years.
"Oh, this is lovely," she cooed expressively, moving about the room, taking in the dark paneling and floor to ceiling shelves of books that lined three walls. She turned to Ethan after a moment with an enchanting smile about her that made him nearly hard with desire. "I can see myself getting lost in here." It seemed to him that she stared directly into his eyes when she added, "I don't think I should ever want to leave." And she turned again to the books, running her long, slim fingers lovingly over the numerous volumes.
Ah, she was good. She played her game well, he thought.
Ethan followed her progress around the room, watching her eyes alight with joy as she read aloud some of the titles.
She pulled out a thin volume of sonnets and read beautifully an impassioned verse.
Yes, you may never want to leave, Ethan thought, enjoying her game of pretense but wanting to touch her. He moved closer as she examined yet more titles and authors, seemingly enraptured. Her head bent over an open book created the perfect piece of skin with which to start.
Ethan pressed his lips to the soft, white skin at the nape of her neck, sliding a hand around her waist.
She screamed and jumped, tossing the book into the air.
Ethan was so startled by her reaction, he stepped back, scowling, and only very narrowly missed being clobbered by her flying missile as it descended.
"What the hell?" he growled, pursuing her as she backed around the room, putting furniture between them.
"What are you about, sir?" This, with great indignation.
"I'm all for games, love. But enough is enough. If you want the coin, let us get to business."
She opened her mouth and widened her eyes at the same time, the blue of her shocked gaze as viewed through her spectacles nearly doubled in size. Twice she tried to speak without success but did finally manage on the third attempt to sputter, "You vulgar pig!"
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