Ruthless King

Then his words hit her.

“You’re not?” She swallowed, taking a step back. He was an awfully strange thief, standing here talking to her about security.

Which might mean that he really wasn’t here to steal from her. Perhaps he had a more nefarious purpose.

She took another step back, fear flooding her.

Good one, Jilly.

You weren’t afraid until now? Idiot.

“Get . . . get away from me, you cad!”

“Cad? That’s a different one. I haven’t been called that before. I’m not here to harm you. Unless it’s to put you over my knee for walking around at night on your own. Or for not having a bulb in your security light. Or for not screaming for help the instant you noticed a man standing on your stoop.”

Oh, screaming for help.

Good idea.

Why hadn’t she thought of that?

Scream. Scream for Scott. Or Dan.

Except Scott was working tonight. And Dan slept like the dead.

As she took in a deep breath, though, the man moved. A large hand was placed over her mouth. Fear flooded her as she breathed through her nose, getting a hit of his scent.

And whoa . . . what a scent. It was a mix of smokiness and sandalwood. Which might sound odd, but it worked for her.

Itreallyworked for her.

This was wrong. This guy was holding her against her will and here was her body ready to melt into him. What was wrong with her?

She shot her gaze up to his and surprise filled her.

This wasn’t . . . it was . . . oh hell.

This was no stranger.

He wasn’t here to steal from her or attack her.

How had she not recognized his voice?

Well, maybe because you were too busy complaining about the loss of your rice pudding.

Oh. Dear. Lord.

Humiliation filled her as she realized that she had just made a complete jackass of herself.

3

Fuck.

Regent had only intended to scare her a little. To make her see how foolish it was to walk at night on her own. He’d been slightly annoyed when he’d arrived to find the house dark. But he hadn’t become truly concerned until he’d walked up to her door and discovered her security light really wasn’t working.

Because there was no light bulb in it.

Then when she’d breezed her way up the path to the house on foot, at night, without even bothering to take in her surroundings . . . yeah, then his concern and irritation had morphed into full-blown anger.