Touch Me by Jacquie D'Alessandro Read Free Book Online

forgotten, but had felt enough times in the past to know without a doubt what it was.
    Desire.
    Desire she wouldn’t, couldn’t, refused to act upon, and therefore desperately didn’t want to feel. Whichmeant she needed to end this impromptu tea party as soon as possible and send her far-too-attractive guest on his way. Still, to send him off too abruptly would no doubt make him wonder why, question whether she might have any interest in him.
    Ten minutes. She’d give him ten more minutes. That was enough time not to appear rude or raise questions. She could endure his company and keep her unexpected, unwanted desire hidden for ten more minutes.
    “We share a weakness for books,” he said.
    “Oh? What do you enjoy reading?”
    “Anything. Everything. I recently read Frankenstein and found it fascinating. Shakespeare and Chaucer are favorites. As I’m not accustomed to all this quiet in the country, I fear I’ll run out of reading material before my stay in Little Longstone is over.”
    “I’ve a good number of books. Before you leave, you’re welcome to borrow several from my collection.” The instant the words left her lips she regretted them. What was she thinking? Borrowing books would require another visit to return them.
    “A very generous offer. Thank you. What do you like to read?”
    “Like you, anything and everything. Sir Walter Scott. The poetry of Blake, Lord Byron and Wordsworth. The gothic novels of Mrs. Radcliffe. I recently finished reading Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire .”
    His brows rose. “Quite a departure from Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels.”
    “Indeed. However, I enjoy variety.”
    “Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor,’” he quoted softly.
    Genevieve’s heart lurched. The husky timbre of hisvoice made it sound as if he were discussing something far more intimate than poetry.
    “William Cowper,” she murmured.
    “One of my favorite poets.”
    “One of mine as well.”
    “It appears we have quite a bit in common, Mrs. Ralston.”
    Genevieve ignored the blatant interest she heard in his voice. Saw in his eyes. “Clearly you like cats.”
    “I like animals of all sorts.”
    “Do you have any pets?”
    “Not at this time, but I have had in the past. I am considering getting myself a dog.”
    “Then you should plan to attend the annual Autumn Festival in the village tomorrow. In addition to booths filled with food and trinkets and crafts, there are always several families with litters of puppies for sale.”
    “An excellent idea. I’ll go—if you’ll accompany me.”
    Genevieve firmly ignored the way her heart leapt. She opened her mouth to refuse, but before she could do so, he continued, “Choosing a dog is a serious decision, one that requires a second opinion.” His eyes glittered with deviltry. “You wouldn’t want me to pick out the wrong dog, would you?”
    “There will be dozens of people at the festival who can help you choose.”
    “Perhaps. But I’d much prefer your opinion.”
    “And why is that?”
    He finished the last sip of his tea, set the empty cup on the table, then, with a hand on Sophia’s back to keep her in place, he leaned forward. A mere three feet separated their faces and she could see the fine grain of his skin. The thickness of his eyelashes. The tiny scar in thecenter of his chin. “I could say it’s because you’re familiar with the village and its residents, including those with puppies. I could also claim it’s because you’re intelligent. And both of those would be perfectly true. But in the name of honesty, I must confess I also have a weakness for beautiful, well-read women.”
    “I see. And you think to disarm me with flattery?”
    A slow smile curved his lips and Genevieve had to press her own lips together to prevent herself from heaving a gushy feminine sigh. “Honesty, rather than flattery, was my weapon of choice. I also think we’d enjoy each other’s company. I know