Touch Me by Jacquie D'Alessandro

Cooper.”
    “Yes, in the morning or afternoon. Or even the early evening. At midnight, however, it is merely an aggravation.” He scowled at his pet who’d already fallen asleep, then shifted his attention back to Genevieve. “Would you like a dog?”
    She laughed at his disgruntled tone. “No, thank you. If I brought home a puppy, I’m certain Sophia would be most displeased.”
    “Would you like to trade pets?”
    “I’m almost tempted to agree just to call your bluff. You adore that puppy and you know it.”
    “ Now I do. She’s an angel when she’s sleeping.”
    “What happened to the man who enjoyed a challenge?”
    “He’s right here—out of breath from all the running he’s done after that mischievous beast…and looking at you.” He moved to the edge of the spring and crouched down, resting his forearms on his knees. “And what an exquisite view it is. Now it’s your turn. What are you doing here?”
    “Surely that is obvious. I’m taking the waters.”
    “At this time of night?” He looked around. “Alone?”
    “I often take the waters at night. It helps me to sleep.And I was alone—until you and Beauty crashed into the clearing.”
    He lowered one arm and dipped his fingertips into the water. “Baxter isn’t nearby to protect you?”
    “No.”
    “As protective as he is of you, I can only assume he doesn’t know you’re here.”
    “No, he doesn’t. Not that it’s any of his concern. Or yours. I have my pistol for protection. But this isn’t London, Mr. Cooper. There aren’t footpads lurking in the shadows. Indeed, this is the first time I’ve ever encountered anyone on one of my nocturnal visits.”
    “So you do this often—come here at night?”
    She pulled her gaze away from the oddly arousing sight of his long fingers slowly circling the surface of the water and hiked up her chin another notch. “As a matter of fact I do, yes.”
    “And you came tonight because you couldn’t sleep.” His soft, husky words were a statement rather than a question.
    “Yes. That and the fact that the weather is perfect for a brisk walk and a soak.”
    “Why couldn’t you sleep?”
    Because I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Imagining you touching me. Kissing me. Making love to me. Because the desire I feel for you is so overwhelming, I can barely think properly . “No particular reason. I just have a great deal on my mind.”
    “Something we have in common. I couldn’t sleep either. That is why I thought to take Beauty for a walk—to tire us both out.”
    She arched a glance toward the sleeping dog. “It worked very well for Beauty.”
    “Yes. Not so well for me.”
    Silence swelled between them. His eyes glittered and his hand kept drawing those slow, hypnotic circles in the water. Genevieve had to fight to keep her breathing slow and steady under his unwavering regard. Her better judgment coughed to life, demanding she tell him to leave. Immediately. But she couldn’t seem to force the words from her suddenly dry throat. Indeed, all she could do was stare back at him. And wonder if he was experiencing this same stifling tension and profound attraction that was all but suffocating her.
    His gaze flicked to his circling hand. “The water feels good. Warm.”
    She nodded and forced out the only word she could manage. “Yes.”
    His gaze burned into hers. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I couldn’t sleep?”
    She had to swallow twice to locate her voice, and even then it only came out in a whisper. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”
    “Because of you.” He sat down on the ledge and yanked off one of his low boots. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He tossed the boot aside, peeled off his stocking, then applied himself to his other boot.
    She gaped at his bare foot. She opened her mouth to speak—only to discover that her jaw was hanging open. “Wh-what are you doing?”
    “Telling you why I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was your face.