"If we cannot agree on a price for the ring, then our meeting is at an end.” Honoria stood. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to that will wait no longer." Marcus could not believe it. She had refused to accept his more than generous offer to buy back his own ring, and now she was leaving – walking away as if his concerns were of no moment.

Anger surged through him, bold and hot. He stepped forward, blocking her way. "I am not yet through talking to you."

"That is a pity.” She stepped around him and passed behind a tall backed chair. “For I am through talking to you."

He would never remember stepping around the chair. Would have only the faintest recollection of catching her arm and pinioning her about. But what he would remember in agonizing detail would be the way he scooped her against him and held her imprisoned against his chest. He'd just meant to hold her, keep her there and stop her from leaving. But as she settled against his chest, the warmth of her body pressed to his, something happened. Instead of just holding her, he kissed her.

His anger kept him from being gentle. It was meant to be a punishing kiss, one destined to teach a lesson in sorely needed comportment. And at first, it was just that – punishing. But his anger that had so quickly surged, melted almost instantly in an onslaught of heated lust.

Never before had he been aware of how closely related lust and anger were. They were both primitive, intense emotions that robbed one of coherent thought and often led to extreme sorts of actions, like deeply passionate, mindless kisses.

Marcus wasn't sure if it was because of the unadulterated lust, or because for one small second he had succeeded in silencing the divinely irritating Miss Baker-Sneed, but the kiss ignited a response that began in his toes and ended in more interesting places. To his surprise, the embrace seemed to have an equally devastating effect on his companion, for after a resisting moment, she moaned against his mouth and fell against him, her mouth opening beneath his, her body soft and pliant as she clutched his lapels.

It was madness. Crazed madness. Yet he could not stop. He was primed and ready by the time she gathered herself enough to push herself free.

He immediately let her go, his mind and body awhirl. To his bemusement, Miss High and Mighty Honoria Baker-Sneed actually staggered back a step, her face flushed, her lips swollen and pink. She had to clutch a small tea table for support. The small candy dish and the globe on the lamp rattled as her weight rocked the table.

Marcus would have been glad for some extra support himself. He felt as weak-kneed as an hour old colt. His heart pounded in his ears, his chest ached as if he'd been running, his entire body was as taut as a finely drawn bow.

"That—that was not necessary." She brushed her mouth with the back of her hand.

For some reason the childish gesture challenged him further. "I think it was very necessary. And pleasant, too. Damned pleasant."

"I didn't wish you to kiss me."

"And I didn't wish you to leave." Regaining his balance, he crossed his arms over his chest, feeling strangely pleased with himself. B'God, he'd shown her. Furthermore, the instant reaction had intrigued him. There was something damned taking about little Miss Baker-Sneed. Something that begged for more investigation. "I'd say we were even."

"And I'd say you are an ass."

He lifted his brows, disbelieving his own ears. "What did you call me?"

"An ass. The braying, bullying kind. You stole a kiss from me and I did not appreciate it.”

“You didn't make a single protest. Had you done so, I would have released you immediately.” He smiled. “Besides, I didn't steal a kiss from you. I only borrowed one."

"I’d call it theft."

"Then I must make restitution and return what was taken."

She eyed him uncertainly, her chest still rising and falling in rapid motion.

It dawned on him that the kiss had nonplused her no small amount. That made him grin the more. "If I stole a kiss from you, then I should give it back." He leaned forward, his gaze drawn to her lips. "Tell me, my dear, obstinate Miss Baker-Sneed, would you like to have your kiss returned to you now? Or shall we wait until tomorrow?"

Outrage heated her cheeks and sent a hot sparkle to her eyes. "You cannot return a kiss!"

He moved closer, intent on the chase, his entire being focused on the woman before him. "Are you certain?" he asked, willing her with his mind and voice to accept his challenge.

She slowly backed away to the opposite side of the chair, all prim outrage and adorable flush. Her voice was low and quivering. "You, my lord, are incorrigible."

"Only when someone denies me that which I want.” His gaze flickered over her, lingering on the curve of her hips, the swell of her breasts. It was with a tinge of amazement that he heard himself say, “And right now, Miss Baker- Sneed, I find that I want you."