It was far too delightful to touch her in such an intimate manner.
"I am a gentleman who has devoted his life to the study of logic," he admitted dryly. "I am unaccustomed to being ... distracted by young maidens."
He heard her breath catch as her eyes widened in surprise. "You find me distracting?"
"Dangerously so."
She regarded him closely, as if seeking some truth there. "Are you just saying this to try and charm me?"
Sebastian gave a low chuckle, his hand moving to cherish the delicate lines of her face.
"If I desired simply to charm you, I would tell you that your eyes possess the dark velvet beauty of a midnight sky." His fingers brushed over her mouth. "Or that your lips are so lush and full that they entice a gentleman beyond bearing."
He felt a shiver race through her. A shiver that was echoed within himself. Then she gave a breathy laugh.
"I was mistaken."
"Mistaken?"
"You are far more proficient at flirtation than I suspected," she murmured.
His lips twisted with rueful humor. "No, you were quite correct, my dear. As I said, I am a simple scholar and not at all prepared for the likes of you."
A sudden heat filled her cheeks as she gazed at him through the tangle of her long, black lashes.
"Do you mind?"
Finding it absurdly difficult to concentrate upon her words, Sebastian leaned even closer to the damnable temptation of her lips.
"Mind what?"
"Being distracted," she whispered.
"Yes." His mouth hovered a mere breath from her own. "Unfortunately, there appears to be little I can do."
"Oh."
A heartbeat passed as Sebastian trembled on the edge of blissful madness. One move, a mere tilt of his head, and he could explore the sweetness that beckoned him.
Her lips would be warm and satin-soft with the taste of innocence. They would gently part to invite a more intimate exploration as she arched to press her curves next to his aching body.
Sharp, dazzling heat raced through his blood, stirring the dark passions that had lain dormant for so long.
Thankfully, it was that very heat that abruptly brought him back to his sadly forgotten senses.
Sucking in a sudden breath, he surged to his feet. His body felt heavy and tight with an unfamiliar need. A need that he grimly ignored. He had to halt this foolishness. He could not allow himself to be distracted. No matter what the temptation.
"Perhaps we should return our attention to the reason you sought me out," he forced himself to murmur.
For a moment it appeared that she was finding it as difficult as he was to shake off the lingering awareness of what had happened between them. There was a bemused expression and a hint of fire deep in the midnight eyes. Then, with a stifled gasp, she was on her feet.
"William! Good heavens, I nearly forgot. What am I to do?"
He absently pushed his fingers through the hair he had left loose. "For the moment, I fear there is noth-ing to be done."
It was clearly not at all what she wished to hear.
"But what of Mr. Ryan? He is determined to speak with my brother."