Excerpt of Seven Secrets of Seduction by Anne Mallory

His eyes held hers, dark and hot.

Nothing for it but to succumb. A lazy, languid feeling stole
down her limbs, mixing with the anxiety and anticipation.

“Organizing books is a much more perilous diversion than I’d
thought,” he said in his husky, edged voice, warm and
dangerous. “But equally rife with opportunity.” He gazed at
her lips. “Do you surrender?”

“Surrender to what?” It was as if she couldn’t catch her breath.

“To whom.”

“To whom?” The words barely formed on her tongue, heavy and low.

He smiled, a long slow pull of lips, and leaned down. A hint
of bergamot combined with the smell of the books surrounding
them, spines triangled, pages fanned apart, allowing the
scent of fresh bindings and musty parchment to linger.

She licked suddenly dry lips, only an inch from his. “What
are you doing, my lord?” A rational question surfacing from
somewhere amidst the chaos.

His gaze traveled her face. “I’m embracing the beauty around
me. Or under me, as it is.”