Excerpt of The Jaguar Legacy by Maureen Fisher

Kincaid took care to hide his elation. She'd practically admitted to having feelings for him. He lowered his voice to what he hoped was an enticing rumble. "We can take it slowly, one day at a time."

"That won't make the least bit of difference."

This wasn't going the way he'd planned, but it was too late to back off now. "I know you don't trust men, but I promise I will never lie to you."

Charley's voice quivered. "I'm not ready for this. Everything's moving too fast." She turned her back on him.

"I'll make you a deal." He swung her around to face him and clasped her hand in both of his. "I've never forced myself on a woman and I don't intend to start now. I promise I'll try to keep my hands to myself. The next move will be up to you. I won't touch you, well, unless I forget, until you tell me you're ready. Willing and eager would be good too."

Her eyes flickered, then widened in surprise. "Clever. You're putting me in the driver's seat."

He didn't feel so clever right now. "Aye. Another of my many virtues," he said, wishing he could retract his promise.

"Don't hold your breath waiting for me to change my mind," she warned with a steely smile.

He hid the queasy feeling behind a forced grin. What had he been thinking? He should have moved in for the kill when he'd sensed that, with a wee bit more convincing on his part, she'd have conceded defeat.

"This doesn't mean I'm giving up without a fight." He furrowed his brow to emphasize his next words. "I intend to use my killer wit and fatal charm in every devious manner known to man and beast to convince you to change your mind."

"Suit yourself." She clamped her mouth shut in a stubborn line and set off down the dark path toward camp.