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.”