might be open to a trade,” Pierce heard himself say before his gaze shifted down to her lips, at present only a hair’s breadth away from his own.
At the sound of his voice or perhaps the feel of his breath fanning over her skin, his little mouse stilled, and her eyes shifted to meet his own, her focus moving from the pouch to the man.
Drawing in a slow breath, Pierce watched her face as he lifted his free hand and settled it around her waist, pulling her to him. “What will you do, little mouse? How much does this mean to you?” From the weight and feel of it, Pierce had no doubt that he would find a bundle of banknotes if he were to open the pouch.
And a lot of them.
Huffing out an indignant breath, she tried to pull away, but he held on to her. “Release me,” she snapped, her hands coming to settle upon his shoulders, trying to push him away.
“Or what?” he asked, grinning.
Her eyes narrowed, and he could see that her mind was far from frozen in shock. Indeed, he thought he could almost hear the little cogs working inside her head. And then a slow smile began to spread over her lovely face, full of confidence and imminent triumph, and Pierce thought his heart would stop. “If you do not return what’s mine,” she whispered as her brows rose in challenge, “I shall simply take what’s yours.”
For a moment, Pierce was utterly confused…
…but then her hands moved to settle upon his face, her fingertips brushing against his skin, and despite the tantalizing jolt he felt at her touch, Pierce suddenly knew what she was about.
His mask!
The little mix was going to unmask him!
“Don’t you dare!” he growled, fighting the laughter that threatened to spill from his lips. Indeed, she was magnificent!
“My possession if you please,” she said politely, her large, blue eyes fixed on his, the hint of a warning in them. “Do try and act like a gentleman, for I assure you I will make good on my threat.” Again, her brows rose. This time for emphasis. “And I’m quick.”
Pierce had no doubt she was.
Gritting his teeth against the smile that tugged on his lips, he moved his arm from behind his back, slowly bringing it forward and holding out the pouch to her. Never in his life had he enjoyed losing to another. It would seem there was a first time for everything!
Her gaze moved to the pouch, but her hands remained on his face, her elbows resting on his upper arms, maintaining the distance his arm on her back sought to minimize.
“Will you risk reaching for it?” he teased, curious to see what she would do.
Her jaw tensed as she contemplated her options and her gaze traveled around their surroundings, from the windows to the open door before they returned to him. For a moment, she held his gaze as though trying to weigh his character.
Then she moved.
Onto his lap!
Pierce froze.
Her blue eyes held his as she moved closer, sliding all the way onto his lap. Never once did she blink or look away, but held his gaze as though willing him to sit still.
Pierce couldn’t have moved if his life had depended on it.
With her dark eyes still on his, she sighed before her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Then her gaze dropped to his mouth.
Pierce could hear the blood pounding in his veins as she leaned in, her lips closing in on his, her warm breath mingling with his own. His heart beat wildly in his chest and his arm tightened on her, bringing her closer still. Anticipation drummed in every fiber of his being, and he closed his eyes and lifted his head, his lips straining to meet hers.
Pierce wasn’t quite sure what happened next.
Or first.
Or in what order.
What he did realize, however—even though the realization came far too late!—was that his little mouse had never intended to kiss him. Oh, no, she was far too crafty to simply give in! He should’ve known. He should’ve seen it coming!
Instead of the soft touch of her lips on his, Pierce felt the leather pouch jerked from his hand and then the heel of a boot connecting rather painfully with his left shin. In the next instant, her warmth vanished as she all but jumped from his lap and darted out the door, slamming it shut behind her.
Fortunately, there was no way for her to lock it. However,