Wicked Again (The Wickeds #7) - Kathleen Ayers Page 0,17

time leaving the room, perhaps hoping to overhear something salacious.

Marissa would need to have a very pointed discussion with her niece.

Haddon regarded her in silence until the door of the drawing room shut behind Arabella with a soft click. Removing his gloves, he laid them on the arm of the chair and crossed his legs at the ankle. His trousers pulled sharply against his heavily muscled thighs.

Drat.

It was a struggle for her not to look, which Marissa was certain was Haddon’s intent. She had wondered during their previous dalliance what he did with himself which resulted in such a lean, powerful form. Her eyes were drawn to the large hands with their calloused blunt-tipped fingers, and she remembered the way he’d caressed her skin. Not with the hands of a gentleman, which were often as soft and pliant as her own and certainly—

“Marissa?” He watched her intently, one forefinger absently drawing a circle on the arm of the chair. “I see my appearance has surprised you. Are you well? You seem . . . distracted.”

No, she wasn’t well. If she was any closer to Haddon, she might burst into flames. “Perfectly fine, thank you.” It was one thing to decide not to involve herself with Haddon. Quite another for her body to comprehend what that meant.

“Difficult,” he murmured under his breath, almost too quiet for her to hear. His fingers started drumming.

Marissa was certain he meant her. She hadn’t been called difficult by a man in quite some time. “If you are referring to me, I am well aware of my character deficits.”

“I didn’t say it was a deficit.” He looked away for a moment before turning back to her. “I find it makes you more interesting. But then, I’ve told you such before.”

While holding my hand as we lay beside each other after he ravished me at Brushbriar. I thought he would leave and return to his own rooms, but instead he held my hand and whispered to me in the dark.

“I would like to explain . . . after I found out about Reggie—”

“There’s no need, Marissa.” Haddon watched her with an odd expression.

Somewhat flustered, she lifted her chin. “I don’t think it would be wise to continue our previous association. If you have come here to persuade me to continue our—”

“Affair?” he said in a helpful tone.

“Dalliance,” she corrected. “And my answer is no.” She nodded her head slightly and clasped her hands. He would not talk her out of her decision, despite his . . . annoying magnificence.

“I wasn’t aware I’d asked you to dally with me again.” A wrinkle appeared between the dark brows as his fingers continued to drum on the chair. “As alluring as I find you to be.” His gaze briefly dropped to her breasts.

Marissa opened her mouth and then closed it, unsure how to respond.

“Your objections to continuing our dalliance, for your own reasons,” he waved his hand, “are exhausting. I will bow to your superior wisdom in these matters.”

“You will?” It appeared the pretty speech she’d prepared to refuse him wouldn’t be needed.

“Of course, Marissa. Forgive me for being blunt, but I’ve no desire to pursue a dalliance with a woman who has been clear she doesn’t want one. I didn’t come here today to talk you into bed with me again.” He shrugged. “Ancient history, as I said.” His silver eyes gleamed.

Well, that stung a bit. More than she’d thought it would.

Haddon smiled at her, the small grooves around his eyes crinkling, making him even more handsome, if that were possible. “Perhaps I merely require your decorating acumen.” He looked around the drawing room. “You’ve amazing taste. This room is beautiful and a lovely color. I like the floral arrangements.” A large hand waved casually at a vase full of artfully arranged fresh flowers. “Your butler or a maid must be very talented.”

“I arrange my own vases. A hobby of mine. But I doubt you are here to ask me about flowers or draperies.”

“No, indeed. I find I am in need of your expertise in another area.”

“My expertise?” She reached for her cup of tea. It had gone cold, but she needed to do something with her hands.

“While I was relieving your boredom at Pendleton’s house party,” his lips twisted into a mischievous smile, “you mentioned you might help Jordana one day if I brought her to London. I’m here to see if your offer is still good. I find myself in rather dire straits in regard to my