Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart Page A

shrug of his own.
    “‘It seemed the thing to do,’” she said, mocking his tone. She frowned. “That’s not a very good answer.”
    He resisted the urge to smile. Hell, he didn’t know why he’d kissed her. Because the desire to do so had been so overwhelming he hadn’t been able to resist her lips. In fact, he longed to embrace her again, right now. “What would be a good answer?”
    “How the devil should I know?” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “I don’t go around kissing unsuspecting people.”
    “Fair enough. Well then, I kissed you because I wanted to.” Perhaps honesty would appease her curiosity. “Because your mouth is tempting, even though you talk far too much.”
    “That doesn’t even make any sense. Well, the bit about my talking too much, I admit I can be verbose—”
    “You’re doing it again,” he interrupted her. He leaned forward, toward her chair. “Only makes me want to kiss you again.”
    She waved her hand. “That’s ridiculous.”
    “The mere notion of kissing you? Hasn’t any man ever expressed a similar interest?”
    A blush stained her exposed throat, marring her lovely creamy skin. Her hand followed the telltale sign of her embarrassment and she fiddled with the necklace around her throat. She swallowed visibly. “I don’t see how that is any of your business. I’m not even certain how we got on this discussion,” she said.
    “
You
asked me why I kissed you.”
    “Yes, and your answer is unsatisfactory. I shall merely have to conclude that you men are a peculiar lot.” She pointed at him.
    “I’m going to kiss you again, Annabelle,” he said softly.
    Her mouth opened, then slowly closed. “Right now?”
    “Would you like me to kiss you right now?”
    “I cannot answer that.” She shook her head fervently. “It would be utterly improper.”
    “You, a lady going to medical school and assisting me with an undercover investigation of a murder? Last night we broke into a government building. Your behavior hasn’t exactly been the pinnacle of propriety.”
    Her brow furrowed. “That is quite different.” Her tongue darted out and wet her lips.
    He felt a stab of desire, hot and poignant in his gut. Oh yes. He wanted her. Whatever the reason, logical or not, he wanted her quite badly. Too badly, in fact, for him to kiss her now when his passions were so close to the surface. It was entirely too likely they would not be interrupted, that no one would come along and stop him from ruining her here in his parlor.
    “You already answered my question,” he said.
    She frowned. “I don’t believe I did.”
    “Oh yes, Anna, you want me to kiss you very badly. Now that I know that, I’m going to make you wait. For a little longer.”
    “You are an insufferable man!” she said as she came to her feet. “Consider my theory about an alternate weapon, and we can meet again to discuss the possibilities when you aren’t so . . .” She waved her hand at him. “So . . . however one should describe this behavior of yours.”
    He stood and stepped over to her. “You’re rather adorable when you’re indignant.” He stepped even closer, removing almost all of the distance between them, all but a breath’s worth.
    Her eyes dilated and her breathing came out in rapid little puffs. Again her hand came to the chain at her throat. Whatever pendant rested on that necklace dipped lower, into the bodice of her dress. Someday he’d follow that particular piece of jewelry.
    He leaned in as if to kiss her and she sucked in her breath, her eyes fluttering closed. Instead he put his mouth by his ear. “You’ll have to wait for a little longer,” he whispered. They both would.

Chapter Nine
    Of all the infuriating men!
    Anna sat back in her carriage on the short drive home and she still felt the anger flowing through her. It bristled in her fingertips and made it impossible to sit still.
    Make her wait
. Indeed.
    As if she wanted to kiss him.
    But she did. She could