Housebound by Anne Stuart

eyes.
    She shook her head in misery, trying to pull out of his arms, but his grasp, for all its gentleness, was binding. After a moment’s struggle she gave up. “I don’t do this,” she said in a small, broken voice.
    â€œDon’t do what, Annie?” he prompted patiently, his hands slowly massaging her tense upper arms even as they held her captive.
    She kept her eyes on the flagstone floor, refusing to look at him. “I don’t kiss my sister’s men in the kitchen while she’sdriving my fiancé home. I don’t fall into strange men’s arms, I don’t sleep with strangers. I can control my emotions and my libido; I don’t go sneaking around necking with house guests,” she said bitterly. “In another minute you could have had me on the bed in the studio, and I wouldn’t have stopped you.”
    â€œActually, I thought on the kitchen countertop might prove more interesting,” he drawled, and she looked up at him then, surprise and outrage warring for control. His hand shot out to catch her chin, holding her face still for his perusal, and a rueful smile twisted the mouth that had just done such devastating things to a usually levelheaded Anne Kirkland. “That’s better,” he murmured, his voice, his hands, his eyes gentle on her lacerated soul. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Annie love. I just seem to have trouble keeping my hands off you. And you, being a normal, healthy female of the species, have been reacting in a normal, healthy way. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. But believe it or not, I’m not usually like this.”
    His hand beneath her chin was inexorable, and she had no choice but to meet his completely frank and open gaze. “Not like what?” she mumbled.
    â€œOn the make,” he said bluntly.
    â€œIs that what you are? On the make?” she questioned, his frankness alleviating some but not all of her nervousness and guilt. What his matter-of-fact behavior was calming, his nearness was still roiling up, and she stood there, still held firmly by his strong hands and his even stronger will.
    His eyes lightened as he considered her question. “No, I guess I’m not,” he allowed. “When you’re on the make you’re out to get any decent-looking female into bed. The only person I want to get in bed is you.”
    She stared at him, openmouthed in surprise, and his grinbroadened. “Does that surprise you? I thought I’d been more than clear as to my intentions.”
    â€œYour intention is to seduce and abandon me?” She matched his mocking tone perfectly.
    â€œOh, Annie love, if only I could,” he sighed, reluctantly releasing his hold on her. “But I think you’re not a woman a man easily abandons. And I think if I were wise I’d keep my distance.” He took a small, symbolic step backward, and she felt a chill pass over her at the withdrawal of his body heat.
    A shadow blocked the light from the stairs, and Anne jumped guiltily. Noah didn’t even turn—he must have been far more aware than she was of the approaching footsteps.
    Her sigh of relief was audible when she met the knowing eyes of her brother. “I thought you two might like to know that Holly just drove in,” Ashley said in a bored tone of voice. “I didn’t fancy you two being caught in flagrante delicto . Holly always had a fiendish temper and the shrillest voice.” He shuddered in theatrical dismay.
    â€œThank you, Ashley,” Anne said quietly.
    â€œDon’t mention it, my dear. Anything for peace and quiet. Come along, Noah.” Despite the lazy tone, there was steel beneath Ashley’s banter, a steel to match Noah’s resolve.
    But Noah’s resolve was no match for Anne’s dark, pleading eyes and his own better judgment. Running a harassed hand through his thick black hair, he managed a resigned shrug. “Heaven spare me