Falling for the Rebel Falcon

He grinned. ‘I guess I’ve been meeting the wrong kind of girls.’

‘I’m sure you have,’ she teased. ‘And I’ll bet you’ve enjoyed every minute of it.’

‘Are you suggesting that I’m a man who plays around with every female he can lay his hands on?’

‘Are you suggesting that you’re not?’

Their eyes met in perfect amused understanding.

‘I’ll answer that tomorrow,’ he murmured. ‘Right now I think any answer I gave would be the wrong one.’

‘Probably. Some men have an infallible gift for getting it wrong.’

His voice dropped to a low whisper. ‘I could make you pay for that.’

‘You could try.’

‘Think I can’t?’

She chuckled softly. ‘Surely you wouldn’t take revenge on a poor frail creature in a wheelchair?’

‘Certainly not. I promised to take care of you, so now I’m coming in to undress you and put you to bed.’

Her eyes gleamed in appreciation of these tactics. This was an experienced foe, up to every trick, and challenging him was fun.

‘Very kind,’ she said. ‘But I haven’t asked you to do that.’

‘A gentleman doesn’t wait for a lady to request his help. He volunteers his services.’

‘And if she says she doesn’t require them?’

He looked surprised. ‘Did I ask your opinion?’

‘No, I can’t imagine you asking anyone else what they thought.’

‘I’m glad you understand me so well. Now, we’re nearly there, and they’re all finding excuses to linger in the corridor and observe us.’

‘So they’ll see you come in.’

‘More than that. I’m going to kiss you. And no power on earth can stop me.’

‘Then I won’t waste time trying,’ she assured him.

This time his hand was on her shoulder. As he lowered his head she almost thought he would indulge in a passionate embrace, but he was too clever for that. In full view of his family he drew her close for a brief touch of the lips, lingering just long enough for a soft caress, then drawing modestly back.

As he wheeled her inside she caught a last glimpse of the family observing them, and knew by their expressions that Leonid had been right.