“(Finn) “You’re sure you’re not a sister?” he tossed back at her, his voice little more than a growl on the night air.She was closer than he thought, making decent enough headway on the steep hill. “I’m an only child.”Stupid, he thought. “I’m asking if you’re a holy nun.”“I told you, I’m not a nun, holy or otherwise.”Okay, she met the criteria for fuckable.”

“The vibration of laughter increased, and for some reason it did even more to warm her than the heat from his big, strong body. “You know, Sister Beth, you’re a dangerous woman.”“You said that before, and I assume you’re being sarcastic.” She was too sleepy to come up with a real argument, too warm and safe for the first time in days to bestir herself. “I can’t imagine anyone more pathetically weak than I am. What could I possibly do to you?”“Sweetheart, you could make me fall in love, and that’s fatal.”

“You’re right about something else,” hesaid, his voice ragged. “I’m scared to death of you. Because I want you, when common sense and a lifetime of experience tells me I should kill you. I want you, and if I give up then you’ll own me, and I’ll have nothing left to fight with.”

“Just show me where you want him. You can take the first shower, princess.”“How very thoughtful of you. But I imagine Samuel and his wifehave more than one shower in this lovely house.”“I’ll be in a back bedroom, out of sight. Don’t be squeamish.Madame Lambert. I promise your virtue is safe with me.”“I’m relieved to hear it.”

“She had the underwear of a thirteen-year-old, as well, he thought. He glanced back at her. But the shoes of a courtesan.”

“Do I make you nervous, Madame Lambert?”“No. I just prefer to keep my distance.”“Evil isn’t contagious.”“I thought you said you weren’t the most evil man in the world?”“I’m not. But that doesn’t mean I’m a good man.”“I don’t think anyone would argue with that.”

“He couldn’t have known. The moonlight wasn’t enough to illuminate the room, and the tears that spilled silently down her cheeks didn’t touch him. But suddenly the kiss softened, the hands gentled on her, the lips coaxed and teased and healed. And without any more thought she was kissing him back, reaching for him with her mouth while her hands were held back, seeking him out with her tongue, calling him to her in the only way she could.”