“I suppose you’re here to seduce me,” Nash said, forcing a serious, contemplative tone.

Julianna’s lovely mouth parted. “What?”

“I have to tell you, I’m not one to be easily seduced.” He dropped his voice low, teasing. “But for you I’ll make an exception.”

“How very generous of you,” she replied with a smirk, high color rising on her sculpted cheekbones.

He purposely yanked his clothes into a semblance of order before catching her gaze once again. He stilled his hands and narrowed his gaze. “Should I be concerned about your dogged pursuing of me? You’re not cracked are you?”

“I’m beginning to wonder,” she grumbled, forcing him to press his lips together to keep from smiling.

She shoved her hair over her shoulders. “Rest assured I’m not doggedly pursuing you.”

“How disappointing.” He allowed the truth of his feelings to shimmer at the surface for a moment before lightening his tone. “And here I thought I must have so intrigued you at the ball that you investigated me, learned where I had my country home, and made your way here with your daughter all in the hope of encountering me and trying to talk me into marrying you.”

The color on her cheeks deepened and spread, rather alluringly, to her chest. Her gaze darted away for a moment before settling back on him. “Actually, I did come here in search of you, though not with marriage in mind.”

He lifted his brows slowly, even as his blood raced through his veins. He really should not keep teasing her, but it was impossible to resist. “I like how you think, Lady Barrows.”

Her brows furrowed together before her eyes widened. “I’m not thinking of you like that at all. I don’t even see you in that way. More like a dog in need of training.”

“Your flattery is rather lethal,” he chided playfully, enjoying the rapid reddening of her lovely skin.

She pressed her hands to her cheeks while a smile played at her lips. “You’re muddling my thoughts.”

“Dogs can have that effect.”

“Do be serious.”

“Do you want me to be a good boy and sit?”

“No, roll over and play dead,” she said straight-faced.

He couldn’t stop the bark of laughter that escaped him.

She grinned in return. “What I meant to say before you befuddled me was, I did come here to find you, but?”

“Ah, ah, ah.” He wiggled his finger at her. “I find when women insert the word but into their sentences nothing pleasant follows for the man.”

“Do try and listen.”

“I am.” His repressed laughter vibrated his words.

“Are you always this way?” she asked with a laugh.

“What way is that?” He loved how her eyes twinkled when she smiled.

“Do you always show so much affection to your daughter and banter so lightheartedly with ladies you barely know?”

He quirked his mouth as if he were lost temporarily in deep thought. “I do always show an enormous amount of affection to my daughter. I grew up without the benefit of knowing whether my mother or father loved me, and I never want my daughter to doubt my love. And as for bantering with ladies I don’t know, I know you.” That husky sound had crept back into his tone. Something about this woman did that to him.

Her eyes grew wide so that he could see that gold flecked the green.

“What is it you think you know about me, Mr. Wolverton?”

“Call me Nash.” He wanted to hear his name from her lips. He couldn’t say precisely why?it was another gut desire? and one he’d never experienced.

She shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly.”

“You could possibly.” He leaned close as if to whisper a secret. “I’ve just given you leave to do so.”

“It’s not proper,” she said, her pink tongue darting out to lick her full lips.

He had a brief image of taking her mouth with his and slipping his tongue inside her to taste her. He had no doubt she’d be sweeter than honey. “Are you always proper, Julianna?”

Her hand fluttered to her neck. “Yes. I’m rather boring that way. Are you always this improper?”

“I’m afraid so. I’m rather exciting that way.” He slid one finger down her bare, silken arm from the crook of her elbow all the way to her small hand. Taking her slender, cool fingertips in his he lifted them to his lips, telling himself he shouldn’t and knowing he damn well would anyway. He pressed a kiss to the edge of her fingers, the contact of his lips to her flesh making him ache painfully.