She had expected him to be more confrontational, but instead, he seemed relaxed, his posture leaning casually against the cushion. Cecilia felt heat rise to her cheeks as her eyes took in the outline of his frame once again.
Silence continued; one that was thick, almost tangible, as she watched him pet Cerberus, the animal leaning into his touch, clearly enjoying the affection. Alistair’s fingers moved gently through the dog’s fur, and for a moment, she felt a wave of calm wash over her.
Her heart began to thump again as he lifted his gaze to meet hers suddenly, a curious glint in his blue eyes. “You know, I do not mind if you truly want to pick a book to read,” he said, a playful smirk forming on his lips. “Or did you come here just to stare at me?”
Cecilia’s blush deepened, and she fumbled for words. “I was… I’m only- I’m surprised you let the dog inside,” she admitted, her eyes moving to Cerberus again.
Alistair chuckled softly, the sound warm and inviting. “So you think me heartless enough to not let him into the main house every now and then?” he retorted, raising an eyebrow, his surprisingly playful demeanor easing the tension just a bit.
“I did not mean such,” she replied quickly, her voice steadier now, “It’s just unexpected, Your Grace.” The moment hungbetween them, and as he spread himself, relaxed yet confident, made her acutely aware of the space they shared.
“Are you feeling alright?” she asked, breaking the silence again, concern creeping into her tone.
Alistair’s expression shifted slightly, his smile lifting as he regarded her seriously. “I am indeed. These wounds are but nothing,” he reassured her, but the slight crease on his forehead suggested otherwise.
Cecilia watched him closely, noting the way his shoulders relaxed as he spoke, yet there was an underlying tension in his posture. “You don’t look fine,” she pressed gently, finding herself want to bridge the gap between them.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, the movement casual yet revealing. “It’s just been a long week,” he admitted, his gaze drifting momentarily to the floor. “But enough about me. What about you? Sneaking around at night, what keeps you up?”
The playful banter returned, yet Cecilia felt tense, the air charged with something unspoken that lingered just beneath the surface. “I shall get that book and be on my way.”
She drew in a breath, steeling herself as she walked over to a nearby shelf. Her fingers glided along the spines of the books, searching for something to distract her from the magnetic pull she felt toward him.
As she pulled a volume from the shelf, she couldn’t help but back at the duke, curiosity bubbling within her. “And what brings you to the library, Your Grace? You certainly don’t strike me as the reading type.”
Alistair chuckled, the sound rich and warm, echoing softly against the wooden shelves. “Ah, so you think you can judge a man by his appearance? That’s a poor assessment, Miss Everton.”
He pulled himself off the chair and trotted over to her, easily leaning against the shelf. Cecilia’s breath caught in her throat as he crossed his arms, the muscles in his biceps subtly flexing under the fabric of his shirt.
This man is… disarming.
“This library is mine, is it not? I read more than most people, believe me,” his gaze was daring, “You included, I’m certain.”
Cecilia felt a familiar fire ignite within her, a mix of challenge and intrigue. She turned to face him fully, her heart racing slightly as she tried to shake off the warmth creeping into her cheeks. “Alright then, Your Grace, if you’re such a reader, name your three favorite books.”
His smirk deepened, eyes sparkling with mischief as he contemplated her request. “Only three? That’s quite a limitation, Miss Everton,” he replied, his gaze locking onto hers, making her pulse quicken.
“Fine, I’ll allow you to bend the rules a little,” she shot back, trying to maintain her playful demeanor despite the tension she could feel simmering between them.
Alistair leaned closer, his presence intoxicating, as he began to list his favorites, each title rolling off his tongue with a certain reverence that caught her off guard.
As they delved deeper into their discussion, their preferences clashed. Cecilia argued passionately for her beloved classics, while Alistair championed modern literature, his voice rising with enthusiasm.
“You’re telling me you prefer dusty old tomes over fresh perspectives?” he shook his head, a teasing glint in his eye despite the disapproving tone.
“Dusty? Those ‘old tomes’ have shaped literature!” she countered, her voice a bit louder than intended, the heat of their debate igniting the air around them. “One would expect considering your obsession with keeping tradition , you would appreciate them more. I smell fraud, Your Grace.”
Alistair burst into laughter, a deep, infectious sound that echoed through the quiet library. “You are certainly something, Miss Everton. You always know what to say, don’t you?”
Cecilia tried to suppress the flutter in her stomach at the unexpected sight. As she watched him, a warmth spread through her. His dark hair fell just above his eyes, framing a face that seemed to glow with delight.
She struggled to return to the debate, yet every time he smiled, it felt like a crack in her resolve, making her heart pound in a way that both thrilled and terrified her.
His lips curled up in a way that made her heart race, and she couldn’t help but remember their kiss—the way his mouth had felt against hers, warm and inviting. A blush crept onto her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, trying to gather her thoughts.
The atmosphere shifted, becoming charged and heavy in the dim light of the library. Alistair’s continuous laughter gradually trailed off, and when she finally gathered the courage to glance back at him, she caught the playful glint in his eyes. It seemed he had noticed her blush, and a smirk spread across his face, making him even more handsome.
“Are you alright, Miss Everton?” he teased, his tone light but laced with something deeper. “I know I can be tempting, but you don’t have to continue to stare at me so. I may revert to my idea you’re trying to trap me in a marriage with you.”
