His eyes began to do his own survey.
She was a slight thing, probably less than half his size. His eyes settled on her breasts. There was nothing spectacular about them but they weren't what made his member throb. It was her confidence and that cocky smile she had when she rescued Mr. Kingston.
His eyes rose to meet hers again. He laughed, not only because of Mr. Kingston's insistence to leave his Wildcat alone, but how quickly her skin flushed under his gaze.
Oh, she would make a very responsive lover.
The only thing keeping him out of her bed was Mr. Kingston, for he could clearly see she desired him by how her chest heaved heavily under his gaze. It was all about the right price.
"So, how much does he pay you? I'll triple it right now."
Mr. Kingston banged his fisted hand on the table making her jump. Not out of fear, but right out of her daze.
"I said no, man!"
Nicholas drew his eyes away from Wildcat and settled an angry glare at her protector. His insistence was beginning to get on his last nerve.
Wynn leaned close to whisper in his ear, "Townson, she's not worth it. You are about to provoke a brawl."
Nicholas shifted his eyes back to his object of desire. "That is of no concern of mine. I want her," he said aloud, not caring if Mr. Kingston heard him.
Nicholas raised his brow at her new expression. It quickly shifted from surprise to anger.
"Do I have no say in the matter?" she challenged.
Her voice was strong, direct and yet seductive. Nicholas definitely wanted her in his bed, probably longer than a night.
"The only say you have is the amount of monies you want to be paid," he retorted.
She leaned in. "My lord, by the end of the night you will have nothing to offer me to join your bed."
Nicholas laughed then leaned in close and whispered huskily, "Is that so?"
He saw the awareness flash in her eyes before she gained her composure. She leaned back, dragging the cards dealt to her slowly on the table with her. She held them up, her eyes still keen on his. "I hope you came with a heavy purse from England."
Nicholas pulled back, taking his cards with him. "You shouldn't worry about that. I have enough to keep you for a month."
Mr. Kingston banged his fist on the table again. "For goodness sake, man! I will not repeat myself!"
Wynn slapped Nicholas's shoulder. "Townson, Ashworth is not here to help you if a fight erupts!" he whispered anxiously.
Nicholas shifted an unconcerned eye to Mr. Kingston then to Wynn. Then he slowly shifted his eyes back to Wildcat.
"In the interest of keeping the peace," Wildcat began, "why not gamble for it?"
Nicholas smiled, his interest peaked. "Gamble for what?"
She returned the smile. Her thin red lips pulled at him. They were just begging to be kissed. "Let us up the stakes."
Nicholas lifted his brow. "In addition to the fortune you promised to strip me of?"
Her red lips spread into a wider smile. He could imagine one particular place he would enjoy those lips touching...
"Me. When I win three games out of five, you have to abandon your pursuit."
Nicholas liked this, he liked it a lot. "And what of when I win?"
Mr. Fischer scoffed, "Not likely."
"What if I win?" Nicholas asked again, ignoring him.
She exhaled softly then bit down on her lower lip seductively and her desire filled eyes roamed his body making his member jump and tighten harder. "You may shackle me to your bed for a month."
She licked her lower lip, suckled it into her mouth, released it slowly then smiled. Nicholas groaned. She knew what she was doing to him and was taking complete pleasure in his rising need.
Whether or not he won, he was going to bed her before he left American soil. "Well, Wildcat, you have yourself a deal."
He grabbed her hand before she could retract far from his reach. Keeping his eyes locked in her startled ones he lifted her wrist to his lips and pressed a long kiss on the pulse. She drew in a sharp breath the same moment her pulse jumped against his lips.
He pulled in a breath as his eyes roamed her person again. A shade of red moved up from the top of her breasts to her neck and finally her cheeks. He chuckled then released her. "You will enjoy me more than you do your protector."
Her eyes widened, with what he was sure was shock at his boldness. Her protector on the other hand turned red for a different reason, but Nicholas could care less.
*****
It only took two hours for Lydia to beat the Englishman. She knew it was silly to admit it but she was sad the sexual banter had come to an end. It would have taken less than two hours to beat him if she wished it, but she wanted to prolong it. So, she let him win two games and they played one more as the tie breaker.
Sadly, she lain the cards down, "Well, my lord, it seems you'll have to find pleasure in another's arms."
The Englishman leaned back in his chair. He settled a knowing gaze on Lydia which made her uncomfortable. His eyes suggested he knew a secret about her, which she as well as everyone else on the table was not privy to.
"It seems I'm not the only one who's disappointed by the outcome," he said casually.
Yes, that was the secret but she would have preferred that no one else found out. She pulled her lips into a forced smile. "You mistake my exhaustion for disappointment, my lord."
He leaned forward. "Then allow me to escort you home."
Lydia laughed then stood up from her chair. She'd vacated Mr. Kingston's lap before they began the game. His possessiveness was beginning to infuriate her. "Nice try, my lord."
The Englishman stood with her, his laugh reaching his eyes. "I'll admit I've been caught. But you must accept my offer to see you safely to your carriage."
Lydia gave him a look from his leather boots, up his taut legs, powerful thighs, narrow mid, broad torso with equally broad shoulders and thick muscular arms she lusted to have wrapped around her.
Mr. Kingston cleared his throat, interrupting her thoughts. "That will not be necessary," he said as he stood up. "My man Tom is at her disposal."
Lydia's mood quickly changed to irritation. "My lord, I wouldn't mind an escort to the door. Tom must be waiting on me in the carriage."
The Englishman chuckled. "Well then, it's decided. Shall we?" he held his hand out to her.
Her heart skipped. She was suddenly not so sure about being alone with him. His lips spread in a deep grin. He bit on his lower lip like he was attempting to keep from laughing, but the movements of his chest betrayed him. He was laughing at her!
She lifted the cloak and draped it over her shoulders. Ignoring his hand, she turned to the table. "Gentlemen, until next time."
Mr. Kingston grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. "Wildcat..." his voice echoed the doubt and worry she saw on his face. His doubt in her irked her, but it was understandable. The Englishman was a temptation, enough to get a weak minded woman to grant his every wish.
She wasn't a weak minded woman.
She placed her hand over his and squeezed. "I would never betray you," she said sternly but she could still see the struggle in his eyes. It was a big mistake that he depended on her so much. She wasn't the dependable type, but she was loyal.
She leaned closer to him and kissed