‘Then how about something more down-to-earth like-watching you dance gave me thoughts I’m ashamed of. I couldn’t even tell you about them-unless you insisted.’

‘I don’t think I need to,’ she murmured.

‘Of course not. You had a dozen men at your feet, as you well knew.’

‘Did I?’ she mused. ‘Well, perhaps.’

‘Little cat,’ he whispered. ‘You knew exactly what you were doing.’

Renzo was right. There had been pleasure in knowing that every man’s eyes were upon her, but the only ones she’d cared about were his.

But hell would freeze over before she gave him an easy victory.

‘One must pass the time somehow,’ Mandy said languidly.

‘Very good,’ he said. ‘Play the indifferent card. Make him suffer, but beware of teasing him too much, lest things get out of your control.’

‘Nothing ever gets out of my control,’ she mused softly. ‘I don’t allow it to happen.’

‘Now that is sheer provocation.’

Somehow he’d taken possession of her hand and was holding it gently between his.

‘Of course,’ he said thoughtfully, ‘this might be the moment when you threaten to pour boiling oil over me.’

‘No, I think I’ll save that until later.’

Without speaking, he laid his cheek against her palm. It was a pleasant sensation, and not alarming, until he turned his head so that she felt his lips. She controlled her tremor, determined not to let him feel it, but she couldn’t hide it from herself. This was only meant to be a joke, but what had she wandered into?

‘On the other hand,’ she said softly, ‘I know just the oil to use.’

‘You think I’d be foolish to try my luck any further?’

‘Very foolish.’

Renzo leaned forwards so that his mouth was close to hers. ‘A brave man would put that to the test.’

‘How brave are you?’

‘Shaking in my shoes.’

The next step was so easy. She had only to say the word and she would be in his arms, his mouth on hers, relishing the kiss for which he’d been cleverly preparing her.