“You’ve been wounded by words—told things that were not true. So I will prove myself in deeds.”

“Deeds?”

“I am going to prove to you by action that I am worthy of your trust.”

She gripped the arms of her chair. “Why…why is that important to you?” She waited with bated breath for his answer.

“Because if you never trust someone again, then you will be lonely the rest of your life. I don’t want that to happen to you.”

“I am not alone. I have Malcolm. He is all I need.”

“You need more than that. You need friends, acquaintances…lovers.”

Lovers. Not “lover,” but “lovers.” That certainly said a lot about Devon St. John. Kat eyed him with a dark frown. “It is none of your concern what relationships I choose or don’t choose to have.” Or whom she chose to have them with, for that matter. Although, if she were honest, in the years since Stephen, she hadn’t really been attracted to any man. Except Devon.

His mouth quirked into a half smile so delectable that her heart thudded an extra beat. “Kat, do you think you can trust me for five minutes.”

“Five minutes?”

He nodded. “During that five minutes, I can do anything to you that I want providing it doesn’t hurt you in any way.”

“Do?” her voice quavered just a bit, but Kat couldn’t help it. Her entire body was afire with his suggestion. “What—” She licked her dry lips. “What would you do?”

“Nothing to cause you harm. Only pleasure.”

It was a ludicrous idea, although…it intrigued her. “What if I wanted you to stop?”

“Then you say ‘stop’ and I stop.” His gaze dripped over her, lingering on her breasts before returning to her face. “And I promise only to touch you in ways that will keep you gasping in delight.”

Kat’s face heated until she thought it would catch fire. “I—I don’t know—”

He was before her now, standing in front of the chair. He looked so handsome. But it was more than that. Between them pulsed a physical longing that swept over them both like waves of the sea. It was a feeling Kat had almost forgotten.

The truth was, she wanted this man. But she also knew that she had begun to care for him and that any other step in their relationship would only jeopardize her heart all the more.

The question was, could she continue without further risking her heart?

He knelt before her. “Five minutes, Kat. No more.”

She swallowed, aware that she only had to reach out and an entire world of pleasure was hers. “Why?” she finally managed to whisper. “Why me?”

He lifted his hand and lightly traced the line of her cheek. “Because you are the most exciting, beautiful, intelligent woman I have ever met.”