Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (202 page)

Scott

discomfited her. Damn him, could he tell her nipples were already pebbling at his merest suggestion? She had the elder hand so she her cards into a neat fan and named her points. Julian responded with 'equal,' indicating he had a suit of similar length and strength.

Sophie glared at him.

Julian arched his dark brows. "I mean to have that dress, Sophie."

It was war then.

He lost his shirt and took his own sweet time peeling it off his back while Sophie watched in unabashed delight. Julian really did have the most delectable chest; one of those sculpted, smooth and hairless chests with a bronze tan. The only item that marred his torso's perfection was the small half-moon scar under his right breast.

"How did you get that?" Sophie asked in an awed whisper. She nearly had to sit on her hands to avoid going over and tracing the mark with her finger.

"I got too close to someone else's knife once," was all Julian offered.

It was clear that Julian was going to say no more on the matter, and that was fine. Her mind was swiftly moving its attention to other

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Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss

considerations. There was something about the smoothness of

chest that made her want

to touch it, to

her hands over the hard shape of

his muscles even though this game was strictly look-but-don't-touch. That

had been quickly

established by their pattern of forfeits. To touch might result in a repeat of last night's madness.

Might? Who was she kidding? Julian Burke was a man to be desired, and she definitely desired him.

Still, looking wasn't without its risks. It wasn't every day a woman had the good fortune of having an exquisite representation of manhood sitting

across from her. Perhaps, given

the circumstances, it wasn't surprising that Sophie lost the next hand and her dress. She had the good sense of a sportsman not to protest his choice, but she did shoot him a scolding look for good measure, just to ensure that he knew she wouldn't give up without a fight.

"What?" Julian responded to her stare. "I told you the dress was next and I am a man of my word."

In the end, the thought of sitting there in her was far more

than the actual

event itself. Her petticoat and camisole not

much more bare than a low-cut ball gown, and

Scott

there was still her corset and stockings beneath that. Not to mention that her latest ensemble was working in her favor. Julian's eyes had the

color of hot liquid mercury. He lost the next hand and consequently his first boot.

He lost the second boot quite quickly that.

Sophie picked up the next hand, hardly able to contain her glee over the excellent cards. Julian threw his hand down. "I surrender. You win."

The

was strangely deflating.

"Are you sure? You have your trousers to lose yet," Sophie cajoled.

"That would be the end of our game, and definitely lose with this hand," Julian said casually.

"Oh." Sophie colored slightly at his implication. He must not be wearing any small clothes beneath. She cleared her throat. "I see."

"You have me at a disadvantage with your numerous

Julian gestured to her

petticoat and blue-ribboned camisole. "I am assuming there's another layer beneath it? It was hardly a fair game. I had no chance to win against the dictates of female fashion.

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Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss

"Is that disappointment I sense? I thought you'd be more than pleased to win our little competition."

the man was insufferable. Even in defeat he was high-handed and arrogant. She'd never admit her disappointment now. Instead, Sophie smiled grandly.

accept your surrender,

sir." She could be magnanimous in her victory.

She held out her hand.

take what is mine,

please."

"Of

Julian reached for his long-ago

discarded jacket. Sophie stared in

as he

withdrew a small silver object

his outer

pocket. "It's a nice lady's piece." Julian placed her gun in her open palm. "I can see why you'd want it back."

Sophie's good humor vanished. "I want the diamonds. We played for the diamonds."

Julian frowned. "I must

disagree,

but we said we'd play for something I wanted and for something you wanted." He negligently. "I thought you'd want the gun back.

My mistake." He reached to take it her, but

Sophie snatched it away.

He managed an ingenuous grin. "Oh, then you do want it."