The Alluring Duke

     “Silver?”
     His sleep-husky voice sent a prickle down her spine. She swallowed hard. “Hmmm?”
     “Is that a good book?”
     “Quite.” She turned the page.
     “You must be an extraordinary reader then.” A hint of amusement sounded in his voice.
     Silver frowned, suspicious of his complement. “Why do you say that?”
     “Oh, no reason. Except, perhaps, that you are reading your book up-side-down.”
     Silver held the book back so she could focus on the words and discovered he was right, curse him. “I’m practicing,” she blurted out, refusing to succumb to mortification by confessing the truth. She’d stick her spoon in the wall before he learned of her surreptitious inspection.
     “Practicing?”
     “Indeed.” She lowered the book and cocked an eyebrow. “The ability to read up-side-down may become a useful asset.” Keeping her expression serious proved difficult. Oh, dear Lord, he would think her a simpleton. Still, he couldn’t learn that she gawked upon him as he slept.
     His features grew thoughtful then he lowered his gaze to her mouth. “Like the ability to read lips?”
     Her pulse hammered in her neck. “Yes, exactly.” Her words sounded breathless to her own ears.
     When he lifted his heavy-lidded eyes, their gazes fused for several seconds. But it seemed an eternity. Then he slowly began forward. Apprehension and a smidgen of fear shot through Silver when she realized his intent. She could not move. His intoxicating essence filled her lungs, and her heart lurched. She grew dizzy with anticipation. He came close. Her eyes fluttered shut. Nearly there. The heat of him enveloped her. Another second. His warm breath fanned against her lips. She parted them, waiting. Hoping. Her thoughts scattered. And then… And then…
     The coach stopped.