Excerpt of Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins

"If we cannot agree on a price for the ring, then our
meeting is at an end.” Honoria stood. "Now if you'll
excuse me, I have matters to attend to that will wait no
longer."
Marcus could not believe it. She had refused to accept his
more than generous offer to buy back his own ring, and now
she was leaving – walking away as if his concerns were of
no moment.

Anger surged through him, bold and hot. He stepped
forward, blocking her way. "I am not yet through talking
to you."

"That is a pity.” She stepped around him and passed behind
a tall backed chair. “For I am through talking to you."

He would never remember stepping around the chair. Would
have only the faintest recollection of catching her arm
and pinioning her about. But what he would remember in
agonizing detail would be the way he scooped her against
him and held her imprisoned against his chest. He'd just
meant to hold her, keep her there and stop her from
leaving. But as she settled against his chest, the warmth
of her body pressed to his, something happened. Instead of
just holding her, he kissed her.

His anger kept him from being gentle. It was meant to be a
punishing kiss, one destined to teach a lesson in sorely
needed comportment. And at first, it was just that –
punishing. But his anger that had so quickly surged,
melted almost instantly in an onslaught of heated lust.

Never before had he been aware of how closely related lust
and anger were. They were both primitive, intense emotions
that robbed one of coherent thought and often led to
extreme sorts of actions, like deeply passionate, mindless
kisses.

Marcus wasn't sure if it was because of the unadulterated
lust, or because for one small second he had succeeded in
silencing the divinely irritating Miss Baker-Sneed, but
the kiss ignited a response that began in his toes and
ended in more interesting places. To his surprise, the
embrace seemed to have an equally devastating effect on
his companion, for after a resisting moment, she moaned
against his mouth and fell against him, her mouth opening
beneath his, her body soft and pliant as she clutched his
lapels.

It was madness. Crazed madness. Yet he could not stop. He
was primed and ready by the time she gathered herself
enough to push herself free.

He immediately let her go, his mind and body awhirl. To
his bemusement, Miss High and Mighty Honoria Baker-Sneed
actually staggered back a step, her face flushed, her lips
swollen and pink. She had to clutch a small tea table for
support. The small candy dish and the globe on the lamp
rattled as her weight rocked the table.

Marcus would have been glad for some extra support
himself. He felt as weak-kneed as an hour old colt. His
heart pounded in his ears, his chest ached as if he'd been
running, his entire body was as taut as a finely drawn
bow.

"That—that was not necessary." She brushed her mouth with
the back of her hand.

For some reason the childish gesture challenged him
further. "I think it was very necessary. And pleasant,
too. Damned pleasant."

"I didn't wish you to kiss me."

"And I didn't wish you to leave." Regaining his balance,
he crossed his arms over his chest, feeling strangely
pleased with himself. B'God, he'd shown her. Furthermore,
the instant reaction had intrigued him. There was
something damned taking about little Miss Baker-Sneed.
Something that begged for more investigation. "I'd say we
were even."

"And I'd say you are an ass."

He lifted his brows, disbelieving his own ears. "What did
you call me?"

"An ass. The braying, bullying kind. You stole a kiss from
me and I did not appreciate it.”

“You didn't make a single protest. Had you done so, I
would have released you immediately.” He smiled. “Besides,
I didn't steal a kiss from you. I only borrowed one."

"I’d call it theft."

"Then I must make restitution and return what was taken."

She eyed him uncertainly, her chest still rising and
falling in rapid motion.

It dawned on him that the kiss had nonplused her no small
amount. That made him grin the more. "If I stole a kiss
from you, then I should give it back." He leaned forward,
his gaze drawn to her lips. "Tell me, my dear, obstinate
Miss Baker-Sneed, would you like to have your kiss
returned to you now? Or shall we wait until tomorrow?"

Outrage heated her cheeks and sent a hot sparkle to her
eyes. "You cannot return a kiss!"

He moved closer, intent on the chase, his entire being
focused on the woman before him. "Are you certain?" he
asked, willing her with his mind and voice to accept his
challenge.

She slowly backed away to the opposite side of the chair,
all prim outrage and adorable flush. Her voice was low and
quivering. "You, my lord, are incorrigible."

"Only when someone denies me that which I want.” His gaze
flickered over her, lingering on the curve of her hips,
the swell of her breasts. It was with a tinge of amazement
that he heard himself say, “And right now, Miss Baker-
Sneed, I find that I want you."