“Excellent,” he said gravely. “We’ll get to that in a moment. Now, relax and just enjoy being held. Isn’t this pleasant?”

It was more than pleasant. It was warm and increasingly sensual. She caught his gaze and managed a smile. “You are right; it does feel well.”

“So I think. Kat, you are beautiful, intelligent, and quick-witted. All of which make me want to hold you even more. If there is something wrong with that, you have to tell me.”

When he said it like that, it made her want to wrap her arms about his neck and kiss him in earnest. The feeling startled her, and she cleared her throat. “St. John, what if I say I want to be released?”

He dropped his arms and stepped away immediately, leaving Kat feeling strangely bereft.

“See?” he said quietly. “That is all it takes. One word and I’ll stop.”

She nodded. He meant the gesture to comfort her fears, but it only raised more.

“So,” he said, moving back into place, his thumbs tracing small circles on her back. “May I tell you what I am thinking at the very moment?”

Good Lord, a man who liked to talk while holding you in his arms. It was…frustrating. Kat wanted the kiss he’d promised, and being so close to him was making it hard to even think. Perhaps if she pretended to listen, then she could get her kiss more quickly. “Yes? What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking of all the reasons a dalliance with a tall woman can be beneficial. For one, neither of us has to bend so far.” He lifted a hand and drew his fingers down the side of her face.

The soft, simple touch sent a shiver through her, as did the almost somber tone of his words. “I—I have never been glad I was tall,” Kat said breathlessly.

“You should be. You have amazing legs.” His hand returned to her waist, and he was once again holding her before him.

She looked down at her skirts. “How would you know? You can’t even see them.”

He wagged his brows. “Couldn’t I? When you were riding Thunder, your skirts outlined them. Along with other things.”

Her cheeks heated. “Oh.”

“You have legs that could capture a man and never let him go.”

Heavens. He was certainly bold. And handsome. And yet…there was something almost wistful about him. As if he was searching for something.

She managed a small smile. “Fortunately for us both, I don’t intend to use my legs to capture a man.”

“No?”

“No.” She took a deep breath, aware of the slow build of heat that surged between them. “Mr. St. John, I—”

“Devon.”