Unfastening the clasp, he shrugged out of the dark wool. She caught the garment and moved to hang it on a hook near the door. When she turned back toward him, he’d removed his hat and was in the process of stripping away his gloves. The simple act of taking them off made her mouth go dry. The rest of his clothing would soon follow. She imagined the hard planes of his body glowing in the firelight.

Shaking her head, she walked to the table. “Would you like claret?”

“Yes, thank you.”

She poured two glasses. He reached for one, and their fingers brushed against each other. Another jolt of heat stole through her, and thankfully, less of the irritating nervousness. Still, she took a long drink of wine, hoping it would ease her anxiety.

He sipped his claret, standing on the opposite side of the table from her. His dark eyes glimmered with anticipation as his gaze moved over her. She’d dressed simply so it would be easier to disrobe, but now wished she’d taken more care.

Why? It wasn’t as if she needed to lure him. He wasn’t a future protector. He would be her lover, and he was already eager to bed her.

Another surge of disquiet sent her to the basket on the dresser. She had to walk by him and made sure to leave plenty of space so as not to brush him as she passed. “There’s food too—ham, bread, cheese, apples, and biscuits. What can I get for you?” she asked, keeping her back to him.

Setting her glass on the dresser, she opened the basket. The touch of his hand on her shoulder made her jump. She let out a soft gasp and turned.

“Evie?” He looked at her with gentle concern. “Is everything all right?”

She pressed her back against the dresser. “It’s fine.”

“You don’t seem quite…fine. You appear agitated. Have you changed your mind?” He searched her face as if he could discern the answer from her expression.

“I haven’t.” She put her hand on his chest, and it was almost as if she’d been burned, but with only the shock of heat and none of the pain.

Her hand on him was the only place they touched, but it was as if they were bare against each other. Perhaps it was the way he stood before her, effectively pinning her to the dresser. She knew she could move, and he would allow her to. Part of her wanted him to hold her there, to take her in his arms and kiss her, then toss up her skirts and make her come.