Required to Wear the Tycoon's Ring by Maggie Cox Page B

home.
    Seth had done likewise when he’d brought her home from Evergreen that first time, and had ended up spending the night on her couch after he’d surrendered to the emotions that had welled up in him when Imogen had given him the letter. Now she had let her own guard down and done the same.
    She was surprised when he asked if he could accompany her into the house. He was acting as though he enjoyed spending time with her.
    Thinking she should at least make him some coffee, she agreed. Flicking on the lamp just inside the door, she remarked, ‘I’m sorry I fell asleep like that... I think I drank a little too much wine.’
    A faintly teasing smile touched the edges of his mouth. ‘You relaxed enough to enjoy yourself. That’s not something you should regret.’
    â€˜I had a wonderful time.’
    â€˜So did I.’
    Closing the space between them, Seth reached for her hand and drew her in against his chest. The throb of her heart turned hot and heavy. In fact it thumped so loudly she was convinced he must detect it.
    His gaze was intrigued as he asked huskily, ‘Do you still feel like adhering to the idea of no intimacy between us, Imogen?’
    Pausing, because his arms had gone around her waist and she was only too aware of how seductive his strong, fit body felt next to hers, she breathed out a sigh. She knew her naturally pleased response to him might easily betray her true feelings about that...
    Intoxicated by the wine she’d drunk at dinner, and the dangerous attraction that was building inside her, Imogen strove hard to think clearly. ‘I think it’s sensible to have some boundaries in place as far as that’s concerned. After all, this isn’t a real relationship. It’s a partnership that’s come about purely for convenience. That being the case, we can’t afford to make it more personal and spoil it.’
    She started to pull away, but Seth surprised her by holding her fast. She felt the warmth of his breath drift across her face, scented his masculine cologne and turned worryingly weak. The provocative blue eyes watching her suggested that he was amused and aroused at the same time.
    â€˜What’s wrong with us enjoying a little intimacy? We shouldn’t deny our natural needs. It might even make the arrangement more compelling if we gave in to them.’
    â€˜And it might also complicate things... big time .’
    Frowning, Seth drawled lazily, ‘Just exactly what are you afraid of, Imogen?’
    His questions were getting too close for comfort and, wanting to divert him, she retaliated. ‘I might ask you the same question. Is it honestly true that you never feel like engaging your emotions? Why is that? Is it because you’re afraid you’ll get hurt?’
    He immediately released her and stepped away. There was a slight flush beneath his cheekbones. ‘I put myself wholeheartedly into a relationship that damaged me in more ways than one. Not only was the love of my life killed in a devastating accident, but in the lead-up to that I was belittled and scorned by her father. I vowed never to put myself in such a predicament again. Instead, I focused on becoming successful. I won’t ever let anyone degrade me again, nor give my power away by being at the mercy of my feelings.’

CHAPTER SEVEN
    â€˜I SEE . ’ H EARING THE pain and regret in his voice, Imogen honestly felt for him. Having to endure both those things would surely come close to seriously damaging anyone.
    But Seth wasn’t in the mood for her commiserations. ‘Do you?’ he flashed irritably. ‘I’ve answered your question. Now why don’t you answer mine?’
    She could see that she wasn’t going to wriggle out of this easily. She could tell that Seth had already somehow intuited exactly what was on her mind. Had he gleaned that she was far more inexperienced than a woman of her age usually was? If he had, he