"Nothing."
The golden eyes abruptly flared with undisguised desire. "Do not be so certain. There is always this ..."
His words trailed away as he slowly lowered his head. Jocelyn knew beyond a doubt he was going to kiss her. Just as she knew that he was giving her ample opportunity to halt him if she so desired. But even as her hands lifted to press against his chest, her lips were parting in an undeniable invitation.
She wanted him to kiss her, she dizzily acknowledged. Despite all logic. Despite all the warnings clamoring in the back of her mind. Despite all the betrayal she had endured. She wanted to know the feel of his mouth against her own.
Keeping her gaze entangled with his own, he continued downward, at last touching her lips in a tender kiss. Jocelyn's breath caught at the soft caress. It was enchanting. Astonishing. Magical.
With gentle care he explored her mouth, urging her to soften against the welcome hardness of his large form.
Warm, sweet pleasure flooded through her, making her knees weak and her head spin. How easy it would be to lose herself in such delicious sensations.
Far too easy.
With a gasp she pulled back to regard him with a guarded unease. "No. Please, do not."
The golden eyes smoldered beneath his lowered lashes. "Do my kisses offend you?"
Offend her? They nearly set her on fire with longing, she reluctantly acknowledged.
"It is not proper," she rasped.
"That was not what I asked. Do you dislike my touch?" he persisted.
"I... I wish to go to my chambers."
"Answer me, Jocelyn." He put a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his relentless gaze. "The truth."
"I do not want to feel this," she whispered.
His lips twitched with rueful humor. "I, on the other hand, could not be more delighted."
Without warning he swooped down to brush a kiss over her forehead. "Now run along to your chambers, my dove. We will begin our game again tomorrow."
Jocelyn did not hesitate.
The moment he shifted aside she was swiftly crossing the room and rushing out the door. It was not until she was safely in her chambers that she at last took a deep breath.
Dear heavens. She had been right. Mr. Valin was dangerous. Perhaps the most dangerous gentleman she had ever encountered.
Lucien watched Jocelyn's hurried departure with a rueful smile. He had not wished to allow her to escape so easily. He had not wanted to allow her to escape at all. Not when he had felt her shiver with longing beneath his touch.
In the silken night his long-denied passions shimmered with incandescent heat. Even now he could still smell the warm scent of her skin and feel the satin of her lips. A tremor raced through him.
Miss Jocelyn Kingly was proving a temptation that he was finding more and more difficult to resist. Only the memory of the stark loneliness in those beautiful eyes kept him from charging down the hall and carrying her off to his cramped garret.
She needed a friend and a savior, he sternly reminded himself. Her danger was all too real.
Not only from Amadeus and his henchmen, but also from the brittle wounds that she harbored deep within.
He sucked in a deep breath.
A friend and savior. His passions would have to wait.
Lucien moved across the room to pour himself a glass of the brandy he had brought from the hotel. He allowed the fiery spirit to slowly slide down his throat as he appreciated the smoky flavor. Perhaps not as satisfying as passions of the flesh, but certainly worthy of enjoyment, he attempted to console himself.
He polished off the last of the brandy as he aimlessly strolled back toward the chessboard.