Read Online To Tame a Dragon by Megan Bryce - Free Book Online Page B

balled fist.”
    He bowed slightly. “Touché. Where did you learn that little move? I did not know pugilism was a
     subject often taught by governesses.”
    “Father. He said I had a disturbing tendency
     to wander off by myself and needed to be able to protect myself
     sufficiently. I have needed to use it twice now.”
    All humor left his eyes and he stared at her.
     “You shame me. Forgive me, Amelia. I had not meant... That you
     had to protect yourself from me as you did that shabbaroon...”
    He turned to look out the window, his
     shoulders slumped.
    Amelia closed her eyes, willing herself not
     to embarrass herself with any humiliating confession, but she
     could not let him suffer in pain when he did not deserve it.
    She cleared her throat, then briskly said,
     “The situations were not at all the same. His attentions were
     quite repulsive. I did not experience the same with you. I was,
     unfortunately, only worried about being seen in such a
     compromising position. My reputation, I fear, would not survive
     another scandal.”
    He continued to look out the window for a
     long moment. Then his shoulders straightened and he slowly
     turned to face her. The twinkle in his eyes made her sigh loudly
     and close her eyes again.
    “Are you saying, Amelia, that my attentions were not so unwelcome? I must admit I had thought so at the
     time.” He sat down comfortably, steepling his fingers, and
     watched her with what she could only call a smirk on his face.
     “But you were quite right to alert me to our imminent discovery.”
    She pursed her lips together.
    “Although it has become quite a distressing
     habit of late to be physically assaulted by the women in my
     life. First Miss Underwood, then yourself.”
    “Perhaps, Jameson, you should look to your
     own behavior for an explanation. It is not a defect in us that
     is causing this behavior; you are acting like an imbecile.”
    He laughed. “Yes, my dear. I do seem to be
     floundering. Usually those around me follow my lead and I have
     very little work to do. I find I have little experience dealing
     with those who disagree with me so vehemently.”
    “I hope I made you stop and think for a
     moment at least.”
    “Yes, my dear.” Though he doubted she would
     approve of exactly what he was thinking about. “I wonder
     if my actions last night made you stop thinking for a
     moment.” He glanced toward the open door. “Perhaps you would
     like me to make you stop thinking again this morning? I can hear
     the clockworks spinning from here; it must be exhausting.”
    He made to rise and she jumped up, startled.
     He stared at her a moment, then smiled and settled back into his
     chair. “Or perhaps not. Sit back down, Amelia. I will not accost
     you.”
    She cleared her throat and walked toward her
     writing desk. She pulled out a slip of paper from the top drawer
     and brought it over to him. His blood heated as she got closer
     and he imagined for one long breathless moment simply pulling
     her onto his lap and ravaging them both senseless again—damn the
     open door.
    She must have seen those thoughts reflected
     on his face because the nearer she came to him, the warier she
     looked. She held the paper out to him with her fingertips,
     stopping as far away from him as she could.
    His eyes did not leave hers as he slowly
     reached out to take the paper from her. Her breath hitched and
     she whispered, “You have gone mad.”
    He very well believed it. He felt as if the
     blood in his veins sang only for her now. Drink held no allure,
     cards had lost their fun. Last night at his club had been boring .
     He had wanted only her. He still wanted only her.
    And here she was, steps away from him. Alone.
    She dropped the paper as if it burned her and
     walked quickly toward the bell. “I need tea.”
    He came back to earth with a thud. In a
     moment he would laugh at himself but for now he used the paper
     to strategically hide his lap as instructions