He stood still, hoping she’d lose courage. And perhaps she almost did because she watched him closely and then gave a confused little smile that cut through him like the blade of a knife.

Don’t say it, Flora. Don’t say it and then I won’t have to reject you.

She rubbed her hands nervously down her uniform and took a deep breath. ‘All I wanted to say was that…well, you—you really don’t have to avoid me.’

‘Yes, I do.’ He kept his answer blunt, knowing that it was the only way.

‘Why? Because you kissed me?’ She shrugged awkwardly. ‘Do you ignore every woman you kiss?’

‘No, normally I corrupt them totally before I ignore them. You escaped lightly.’

‘Is that supposed to make me feel lucky?’ The colour bloomed in her cheeks but she didn’t back off. ‘Because it doesn’t.’

Her response almost weakened him and Conner reminded himself ruthlessly that this time he was doing the right thing, not the easy thing.

He watched her for a moment, his eyes fixed on her face. Then he closed the door, slowly and deliberately, giving them privacy. ‘It should make you feel lucky. If they hadn’t turned up I would have taken you, Flora.’ His voice dangerously soft, he closed the distance between them in a single stride. Shock tactics. Perhaps shock tactics would work. ‘You would have been mine. That’s how close you came.’

She shivered with excitement. ‘Yes…’

‘And then I would have dumped you, because that’s what I do with women. And you would have cried.’

She swallowed. ‘Maybe.’

Definitely.

Unable to help himself, Conner lifted a hand to touch her but then saw the trust shining in her dark eyes and took a step backwards, letting his hand drop to his side. ‘You’re the sort of woman who deserves to wake up next to a good man.’ His hand curled into a fist. ‘That isn’t me, Flora.’

‘You’re a good man.’

‘No.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘Because a good man wouldn’t do what I’m about to do,’ he muttered, knowing that he’d lost the fight. He reached out a hand, yanking her against him and crushing his mouth against hers.

A kaleidoscope of colours exploded in his head and any hope of pulling away vanished as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed closer. He kissed her roughly but she gave back willingly and her mouth was sweet and warm under his.

And since when had sweetness had any place in his life?

He released her so suddenly that she swayed dizzily. ‘Conner—’

‘Don’t.’ With a rough jerk he disengaged himself from her arms. ‘Don’t offer yourself to me, Flora.’

‘Why not?’ Clearly sensing the tension and anger boiling inside him, she lifted a hand to his cheek, pushing aside her natural shyness. ‘It’s what I want.’