“Vixen!” I pushed myself up and glared down at him, warm and secure in the glow of his love. “Vixen! That’s the sort of word a romance writer would use, not an important Scotland Yard detective. You know bloody well what you haven’t said, so just get on with it.”
“Ah.” He pursed his lips in a silent whistle for a moment while he let his eyes wander over my bared upper parts; then he put both hands behind his head and cocked an insolent eyebrow at me. “So you want me to say it, do you?”
I tapped my fingers on his chest. “Yes. Then you can apologize for calling me a vixen.”
A slow, sensual smile started at the corners of his lips and soon spread. I leaned down, caught in the web of his smile, unable and unwilling to resist the lure he posed.
“Very well,” he breathed just as my lips were about to touch his. “I will say what you want to hear.”
I paused, flicking my tongue out to tease the corners of his mouth until his eyes went dark and his hands came around to hold me.
“I forgive you for not having enough trust in me to tell me your plan.”
Huh? I tried to jerk back so I could glare at him properly, but his arms were hard as bands behind me. He sucked my lower lip into his mouth and chewed gently on it for a moment.
“And I forgive you for not having faith in me, or in our relationship, doubting that either could withstand imperfection.”
I curled my fingers into the hair on his chest and tugged. Not gently, either. He grimaced, and tightened his arms until my mouth was fitted against his.
“And I forgive you for making me suffer untold hell by making me think you had stopped loving me.”
The best defense is an offense, I always say. I untangled my hands squashed between us and grabbed him by his ears, licking and nipping at his adorable manly lips until he gave me what I wanted. It was my turn to surge forward and plunder, and surge and plunder I did, reveling in the fiery taste of him, my soul singing with the knowledge that he was mine, and that nothing would keep me from him again.
“Say it.” I did my best impression of his angry growl into his mouth.
“I love you, Alix.”
I smiled down at him as he pulled me over his waiting stallion, fitting himself to me, joining our bodies and hearts and souls as if we had been made for each other.
“Perfection,” I sighed.
Acknowledgments
This book wouldn’t be in your hands now without the support and encouragement of the best agent in the world, Michelle Grajkowski, and the most brilliant of all editors, Kate Seaver—thanks for believing in me, ladies. My fabulous critique partner, Vance Briceland, worked his magic by pointing out—with wickedly funny notes—everything that struck him as not quite right. My undying gratitude and profuse thanks go to my husband, family, and friends for their patience and understanding whenever I told them I was busy writing, and therefore couldn’t be bothered to do the dishes.
Critics Rave for Katie MacAlister!
“Katie MacAlister has an easy voice that brims with wit and fun.”
—Mrs. Giggles from Everything Romantic
MacAlister has a “captivating voice and charming storytelling skills [and] impeccable style.”
—Inscriptions Magazine
NOBLE DESTINY
“Katie MacAlister produces another wonderful Regency romp. This book is funny and fast-paced.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Imbued with a delectable sense of wit, the second of MacAlister’s ‘Noble’ Regency historical romances is an irresistible, laughter-laced treat.”
—Booklist
NOBLE INTENTIONS
“Simmering seduction, hilarious humor, a mystery, and a divine hero and heroine. A sassy read you don’t want to miss!”
—The Belles and Beaux of Romance
“This is without a doubt one of the funniest historicals I’ve read…[an] outstanding book.”
—The Best Reviews
“This story is a true romp. There is much to laugh at when reading this book and much to miss when it is over. A true ‘keeper.’”
—RT Book Reviews
“Sexy, feisty and clever.”
—Reader to Reader
More Praise for Katie MacAlister!
SEX AND THE SINGLE VAMPIRE
“Pull up a chair and settle in for a truly hilarious and exhilarating read… This outrageously funny book is a genuine delight. Witty and wacky, this is one book you won’t want to put down!”
—RT Book Reviews
A GIRL’S GUIDE TO VAMPIRES
A Girl’s Guide to Vampires has “wickedly sharp bite. With…writing that manages to be both sexy and humorous, this contemporary paranormal love story is an absolute delight.”
—Booklist
“Katie MacAlister knows how to write fun romances! A Girl’s Guide to Vampires is just oozing with charm; I couldn’t put it down!”
—RomanceReviews.com
IMPROPER ENGLISH
“Funny, quirky, and enjoyable. Don’t miss this one!”
—Millie Criswell, USA Today bestselling author
“Charming and irresistible! A tale to make you smile and pursue your own dreams.”
—Patricia Potter, USA Today bestselling author
Other Books by Katie MacAlister:
JUST ONE SIP
SEX, LIES, AND VAMPIRES
THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY
SEX AND THE SINGLE VAMPIRE
A GIRL’S GUIDE TO VAMPIRES
HEAT WAVE (ANTHOLOGY)
NOBLE DESTINY
IMPROPER ENGLISH
NOBLE INTENTIONS
Young adult books by Katie Maxwell:
CIRCUS OF THE DARNED
LIFE, LOVE, AND THE PURSUIT OF HOTTIES
GOT FANGS?
THE TAMING OF THE DRU
EYELINER OF THE GODS
WHAT’S FRENCH FOR “EW!”?
THEY WEAR WHAT UNDER THEIR KILTS?
THE YEAR MY LIFE WENT DOWN THE LOO
Copyright
A LOVE SPELL BOOK®
March 2003
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 2003 by Marthe Arends
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0282-6
The name “Love Spell” and its logo are trademarks of Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Visit us on the web at www.dorchesterpub.com.
Improper English Page 32
