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Damn him, but her friendly, casual demeanor was not at all what he expected and he wasn’t sure what to think, to say.

“I’m to be officially betrothed soon, you know,” she added, sparing him further speculation.

“Is that so? And who is the lucky man?” And why did he suddenly want to wring his neck until death? Whoever he was, Alexander knew he would rather see him dead than allowed to bed Lillian—his Lillian—freely for the rest of his life.

“A friend of my father’s, but I fear he will not be so lucky.”

“Dearest Lillian, any man who won the pleasure of your company would be a lucky man indeed.”

There you go, man. You’ve got her blushing, it’s only a matter of time now. Keep your wits about you, show that you’ve earned that rakish reputation of yours.

“Oh please, Zander, let’s not play those types of games. There’s no need for double entendre between friends. Arnold Halewater will not be a lucky man because I simply refuse to be married off to him. Even if I did obey father’s wishes, I’m sure I would make the old dear absolutely miserable with my wild ways and far from biddable nature.”

“I haven’t heard of any scandal attached to your name, Lillian. Surely your ways can’t be so very wild.”

“Zander, I think we both know how wild I am.” She walked slowly closer, the look of a confidant siren mingling with the humor on her face. “Did you like them?”

“Like what?” Alexander struggled to appear as detached as she seemed, though she stood close enough for him to feel the gentle puff of her breath against his lips, the heat of her body warming the front of his own.

“The photographs, of course. I knew you were the only one I could trust to develop them for me, the only one I could trust to help me win my freedom.” She brought her hand to his in a simple little caress that made his body ache. “Will you help me, Zander? Will you, once more, be my partner in crime?”

“You want me to develop pictures for you?” Surely that couldn’t be all?

“Yes, and photograph me in the nude, as well. If that’s agreeable to you. I don’t have much money to pay you, but I’d hoped—”

“You want me to photograph you in the nude? Surely you realize the scandal—”

“No one will ever know! I have a friend in Paris who will sell them for me and wire the money to my account. Once I’ve sold a few dozen, she assures me that I’ll have enough money to strike out on my own.” She took a deep breath and uncertainty crossed her features for the first time. “Please, Zander, I can’t bear to marry that man. I desperately need your help. You’re the only one I can trust.”

“Are you sure about that, Lillian?” There was anger in his tone as he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her tightly to him. Whether it was anger at her for leading him to believe she wanted more than his professional services, or anger at himself for being so profoundly disappointed, he couldn’t say.

“Zander, what are you—”

“Surely you didn’t believe you could send such images to a man, any man, and not have him expect certain things?” Alexander let his hand smooth up the side of her waist, firm against the bones of her corset until he reached her breast. There he paused, just beneath, and watched her eyes grow wide and her breath come faster.

“Please, I…”

“If you mean to make your way in the world alone, Lillian, you have several lessons you need to learn.” He cupped her breast in his hand and captured her nipple through the thin fabric, squeezing until she cried out. Then he dropped his mouth to hers, swallowing the sound. Her lips were warm, despite the cool ocean breeze, and the softest thing he’d touched in ages.

But soon mere lips were not enough. Alexander swept his tongue across the seam of her mouth and gained his first intimate taste of Lillian Thomas. Behind the hint of lemonade and the salt of the sea air was a darker flavor, an exotic spice that was pure woman, pure passion. She melted into him, meeting his tongue with her own, running her hands down his back, and he knew in that instant that they would be magic together. The intensity of her response, the innocent fervor of her every touch betrayed that she wanted so much more than his photographic skill.

Lillian wanted him in her bed, buried inside of her sweet cunny. He would simply have to enlighten her to the fact.

“But I will make sure that you learn them.” He released her as suddenly as he had taken her into his arms, flicking a casual finger across her hardened nipple before turning and walking away. “Be at my studio tonight. Your lessons begin at nine o’clock sharp.”

He didn’t wait for a reply or turn to see the look on her face. She would be there. He’d bet his career on it. Hell, he was betting his career. If word got out that he’d seduced one of Boston’s innocent daughters and taken pictures of her in the nude, he would be ruined. An affair here or there with a married matron was one thing, the ruination of an unmarried miss quite another. His time as a portraitist to the wealthy would be over.

Too bad he didn’t have the sense to give a damn, and that his aching body would settle for no less than the complete sating of his lust upon Lillian Thomas. He would help her, but he would also have her, of that there was no doubt. Nothing came without a price, as Lillian would learn in lesson number one, beginning tonight.