“I was waiting in his residence when he arrived home. I’ve forbidden him to gamble in the future or spend any more time not tending to his duties.”

He certainly admired her tenacity in seeing after her sisters’ welfare. “How did he take that?”

“Not well, but he understands the import of it. He doesn’t have a very high opinion of you.”

“Few men who owe me money do.”

“And women who owe you? Should they fear you?”

“If you don’t know the answer to that question, then you shouldn’t make any bargains with me.” Crouching, he opened the box, grabbed a book, and held it out to her.

Horror swept over her lovely features as she knelt beside him, took the book, set it aside, and closed her fingers lightly around his wrist. “You really did chaff your skin.”

The rough-hewn abrasion circled just above his hand. He regretted not tugging the sleeves of his shirt or jacket down before offering her the book. He’d not liked one bit how vulnerable he’d felt lying on his bed, unable to free himself. Although now he couldn’t help but contemplate that she was equally bound, her bonds simply invisible. “Did you think I’d lied?”

“No, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.”

“It’ll heal.”

“I fear it will leave behind scars, constant reminders of what I did to you.” Lifting his arm to her mouth, she placed the gentlest of kisses against the still red and raw flesh. His gut tightened into an annoying knot. He didn’t want to soften toward her, needed to remain distant so he could view what their relationship might become as a business arrangement, one of convenience that would elevate the fruit of his loins into the upper echelons of Society. But from the moment he’d spied her, he’d strayed onto paths he’d never before traveled, taken actions he’d known would lead to no good outcome. Yet, here he was once again, dangling himself in front of her, giving her leave to do with him as she would. “Damn you. How is it that you have managed to bewitch me?”

Cradling her cheek with one hand, plowing his fingers into her hair, he brought her in and took her mouth like the greedy bastard he was, relishing the taste and warmth of her, how easily she surrendered and shifted until it was more than their lips touching, until her body was nestled within the curve of his. His plan to make a rational, informed decision regarding whether he would once again have her was mocking him. He had so little resistance where she was concerned. It was sheer and utter madness, the ease with which she controlled him.