Heat coursed through her at the memory of that kiss… that incredible, heart-stopping, breath-stealing, wits-robbing, knee-weakening kiss that had ended far, far too soon. She’d opened her eyes and found him looking at her with a crooked smile. “That did the trick,” he’d murmured in a husky rasp. When she’d remained mute, he cocked a brow and said, “Nothing more to say?” To which she’d managed to whisper one word: “Again.”

Something dark and delicious had flared in his eyes, and he’d obliged her with a different sort of kiss. A slow, deep, lush melding of mouths and breath, a stunningly intimate mating of tongues that awakened every nerve ending in her body. She’d clung to him, filled with a desperation and longing she didn’t understand, other than to know that she wanted more, wanted him to never stop. But stop he did, and with a groan he’d untangled her arms from around his neck and set her firmly away from him.

They’d stared at each other for several long seconds. Victoria had tried to interpret his intense expression, but it was impossible, as she was so very dazed. Then his lips had tilted in a devilish smile and he reached out. With a flick of his long, strong fingers, he adjusted her bodice, which she hadn’t even noticed was shockingly askew, then brushed the pad of his thumb over her still tingling lips. He looked as if he were about to say something when his brother had called from the adjoining room. Dr. Oliver had raised her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips against her fingers. “A most unexpected, pleasurable, interlude, my lady,” he’d whispered, then, after a rakish wink, had swiftly left the room.