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Unnerved by the dark look Nathan aimed in her direction, Chloe realized it was time to pull this thing back from the dangerous edge. Sitting with him here like this, all chummy-chummy, was way too informal, too… What the devil had he put in this wine? It didn’t usually affect her like this. She wanted to lean back, close her eyes, feel his body against hers, his hands touching her, sliding into her.

She was up like a bullet out of a gun and heading for the door, but Nathan was quicker and blocked her exit. She stared at his chest, not trusting herself to look at him. She dodged to one side, then the other, but he mirrored each move.

“I want you, Chloe, and you want me. Before long, you’ll give yourself to me, willingly.”

She glared at him. The arrogance of it, the sheer conceit. “I won’t give myself to you,” she bit out as her head swam and temptation flooded through her. “Now you’ll leave, and I really don’t want you coming back.”

When she went to move around him, he leaned in. “Oh, I’ll be back.” With a slick patience, he skimmed his finger along her jaw and cupped her chin when she tried to turn her head away. With no time to prepare for the bolt of reaction as their gazes clashed, Chloe could only watch him, could only feel the weight in her chest as her lungs locked tight. Her hands came up in reaction, her palms lying flat, and not altogether steady, on his chest. With that same patience, his gaze traveled over her face, taking a long, slow tour of her mouth before journeying back to her eyes.

Chloe increased the pressure on his chest as he moved in. It was reflex, because she wasn’t sure of anything right at that moment. Except she wanted him to stay. Wanted him to move closer, to wrap his arms around her. She wanted to feel those hands… Oh God, those big hands…

“We want each other, and we’ll have each other. I can be a patient man when the occasion demands it, so for now I’ll let you believe your little fantasy that you don’t want me.” He fastened his grip on her chin as she tried to turn her head, and looked deep into her eyes as she fought against leaning in. “When I do get you in bed, and believe me I will,” he added as she opened her mouth to offer a token protest, “it most definitely won’t be panic I see in your eyes.”

It was most definitely panic now, and not just in her eyes—her whole body vibrated with it. Her heart beat against her ribcage, and delicious sensations dragged through her pelvis. She hated herself. Feeling this way over someone so overbearing, so presumptuous. The cheek of him, the sheer unadulterated cheek of him.

“Go away.” She did shove him now. Hard and determined. Not that he budged. Not one inch. But at least he let go of her chin. “Just go away, and stay away. Like I said, there are any number of women—”

“I want you.”

“You can’t have me. When are you going to get that into your thick head?”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, let me spell it out for you—and please listen,” she added in a tone more suited to reprimanding a child.

He folded his arms, exaggerating a look of concentration.

God, this man was so irritating. Stepping back, she wobbled a little, then steadied herself and took a deep breath. “I do not want any sort of relationship right now. I have no time for it, neither have I the inclination. Even if I did, which I don’t,” she added when he stepped forward, “it would not, in a million years, be with you.”

Pleased with herself, Chloe folded her own arms. “Got it?”

“Loud and clear. You going to this ball on Saturday night?”

“What?”

“The Mayor’s Charity Ball. I hear it’s an important event on the social calendar around here.”

Chloe threw up her hands. “I give up.” Then she thumped her fists on her hips and shook her head. “No, I don’t give up. Let me have one more shot at this, and I’ll make sure I use words of one syllable.”

“Come as my guest. I’ve been given two tickets, top table.”

His grin, that easy slide that made his eyes spark, sent her defenses tumbling. “Top table? Now why doesn’t that surprise me.”

Because she’d let her guard down, he was able to move closer. His arms were around her before she could draw breath. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

“I already have a date.” Her hands found his arms, whether to encourage or refute, she wasn’t sure. For now she let them settle there, enjoying the feel of hard muscle beneath her fingers.

“Break it.” As his mouth moved dangerously close, Chloe willed herself not to look at its tempting contours. She kept her eyes locked on his. What harm could it do to accept his invitation? She was a big girl, she could handle him, couldn’t she? She represented a challenge to him, he’d said so himself. If she were no longer a challenge, he’d move on. That’s how it worked, didn’t it? It would mean nothing to either of them. Simple, uncomplicated, temporary, with no chance of forever after.

Maybe it could work. If nothing else it would get him out of her life, and as long as she held tightly to the reins of control…

“Chloe?”

She couldn’t chance it. Already he was lighting up places inside her that she hadn’t known existed. He would tire of her once the challenge was met, while she’d be left raw and hurting.

Plan A remained the best option. “I already have a date,” she repeated, dropping her hands to her sides. “You’ll have to ask someone else.”

Nathan’s eyes flashed. Quick and dark, while the blue in their smoky grey depths intensified. “You’ll deal with me, Chloe. Sometime soon, you’ll deal with me. With us.” His arms tightened around her, yanked her close so the breath expelled from her lungs on a heady gasp. “Until then, perhaps you’d like to consider this.”

His mouth crushed down on hers before she could inhale. She arched into him, slid her hands over his shoulders, and matched his fierce possession of her mouth. When he took the kiss deeper still, she went with him, tightening her arms around his neck and feeling him pull her so close she thought her feet might leave the ground.

The kiss went on and on and her breath came in painful little gasps. She felt like this mass of hot, swirling need, and the ache between her legs was terrifying. Oh Lord. Just what was she doing?

Nathan’s hands covered hers. Gently, he unhooked her fingers from around his neck and pulled away. She studied his face. Raw and unmistakable desire burned in his eyes, heat flared along taut cheekbones, and that full mouth was slightly parted.

“Like I said, consider that.” His voice was scratchy, like gravel, and his breathing fast, uneven. “I’ll see myself out. Make sure you lock the door after me.” Then he turned and was gone.