“And what I do shouldn’t worry you,” she interrupted as her anger suddenly flared. Who was he to insinuate that she was messing up her life? She couldn’t control her tongue. “If I didn’t make it clear before, let me assure you I don’t need another brother, okay? Three half-brothers add up to too many—way too many when it comes to giving advice about my life.” Turning quickly and seething deep inside, she headed toward the French doors. The last thing she needed—the very last thing—was a man telling her what to do.

Before she’d taken three steps he grabbed her elbow, spun her around and kissed her so hard she didn’t know what hit her. She gasped as hot, demanding lips crashed over hers and strong arms surrounded her waist, dragging her close. She started to protest, to push away, but his hands splayed against the exposed skin of her back and a tingle of excitement sped through her blood.

Don’t do this, Katie. Don’t kiss him. This was what was dangerous—emotionally dangerous. Not the Isaac Wells case.

But she didn’t stop and the sound of wanting that reached her ears came from her own throat. Oh, Lord, what was she thinking?

With all her strength she pushed away. “Is—is that what you do?” she asked, drawing in a shaky breath and hating herself for how weak she was when it came to him. “When a woman gets into an argument with you, do you always grab her and kiss her just to make her shut up?”

“Most women don’t get me so riled up,” he admitted.

“Don’t they? Well, good. That’s very good. For you. Because these Neanderthal, 1950s B-movie tactics are ... are . . .” Damn the man! He was actually smiling, amused by her reaction. Her fists balled in frustration.

“Are what? Effective?”

“I was going to say boorish, or antiquated, or at the very least rude and entirely unacceptable!”

He laughed then. Threw back his head so that his blond hair brushed the collar of his shirt and he laughed.

“This is not funny!” She almost stomped her foot, then decided she’d look even more adolescent than she felt. “Good night, Luke. The evening has been ... entertaining, but I think I’d better leave now.”

“And back off from a fight?” he challenged.