Page 72 of Sir Durham’s Disarming Asset

Considering that, are you?

She pressed her whole torso to his length. “You should.” You can. You will.

He narrowed his gaze at her. But did not push her away from him.

She tried to smile and failed. “I will.”

He froze. He was made of ice. But she would have him!

She rose on her toes. “Kiss me.”

“No.”

“I want you.”

“No!”

“I do. You cannot change that.”

“You think you care for me because I took you from that dungeon.”

“My dear fellow! I love you because you showed me how kind and tender, how respectful, a man could be toward a woman.”

“You don’t know… You are so young.”

“Ah.” She rubbed the tip of her nose on his. “And your years have taught you some falsehood that I try to prove wrong but cannot?”

He grabbed her by the shoulders, but in fierce proximity to her, she felt the harder press of his manhood. He had wanted her as he sat in that chair…and now he needed her.

She would not let her advantage slip away. “Years are no barrier to love, dear sir.”

“I could die.”

“Soon?” She arched a brow and let her hand slide down his ribs to his firm, hot groin. My, my. He was impressive.

He clamped his hand over hers.

“I doubt it,” she chided him. “Besides, mischance and disease mean I could die just as soon.”

His face turned mellow. His hands gripped her tenderly. “You won’t. You will live long and well.”

“Thanks only to you.”

He shut his eyes. Shook his head. “Leave me.”

Leave him? That is not what he wants. But is that what he expects? Always? “If I go now, Rafe, you will live alone, a crusty old creature who threw away his only chance to live with utter joy. Oh, my sweet man, how can you condemn us both to that sorrow?”

“You confuse love with…”

Gratitude? She’d be damned if she let him say it again, even think it from now on.

Once more, her hand went to his groin. His manly attributes were very long and very sturdy. “Is this your show of…what? Friendship?” She snorted.

He cursed quietly.

She could not tell if she had won or lost. But at an impasse, once again, she stepped backward, her heart melting at his feet.

She spun, snatched up her cape and robe, and strode to his door. But there, she swirled to face him with one last argument. “I love you, Rafe Durham. I will love you no matter the time, the day, the circumstance. You cannot argue me away. I remain. You cannot forsake me. I will follow. You cannot ignore me. I live in your heart.”