I dare, Leeds. Oh, I dare.
She narrowed her eyes on him, her gaze drifting over the droplets covering his chest to the water his torso disappeared under. She sauntered over to the tub, her lips curving into a smile as he opened his eyes again at her approach. A thrillof satisfaction trickled down her spine when she glimpsed the fleeting twitch of his brow.Not that indifferent after all.
She trailed a finger over the edge of the tub before dipping it into the water. “Warm.”
His chest rose and fell. “I told you so.”
“Extremely tempting. Are you sure you can handle me in your tub?”
Two burning eyes locked on her. “I can.”
What had Leonora said again about temptation and seduction? This must be Leeds’s effort at temptingher. She thought back to his unbuttoned shirts, rolled up sleeves, and yesterday’s dressing gown. This must be the next step.
“You have grown quite bold,” Harriet commented. “I suppose this is part of your attempt to woo me?” She paused. “All with the servants’ help, of course.”
He didn’t breathe a word.
Harriet bit back a smug smile. She undid the buttons of her redingote and shrugged out of the garment, tossing it onto the bed with a smile.
His face lost all expression. “What are you doing?”
Her smile turned coy. “Didn’t you want me to join?”
His brows drew together, only slightly, but enough for her to understand that he still wasn’t sure she would actually do it, but he also wasn’t sure she wouldn’t.
“I want.” His voice came out raspy.
“Then you shall have to help me with the buttons of my gown.” She gave him her back. “I can’t reach them.”
A moment of silence.
Then, water sloshed before the light touch of fingers unbuttoned each one with slow deliberation. With each button he unhooked, her pulse seemed to throb harder.
One button.
Two buttons.
Three buttons.
Harriet swallowed, her nerves suddenly battling against her courage.
Dear Lord. What was she doing?
Am I really going through with this?
Too late now, Harriet.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” His whispered breath brushed against her ear, causing a tell-tale shiver to skitter across her skin. He’d done that on purpose, hadn’t he?
“So lovely.” You rogue.
Her mind went blank at the deliberate brush of his fingers, with nothing remaining but the towering presence of him at her back.
Naked.
Harriet shut the erotic memory of her husband standing up from the bathwater out of her mind. Only for it to pop right back in. Lean, rippling muscles. His thighs. And that thing.
Her face flamed.
