He looked down at his rigid shaft. He couldn’t leave, not like this. She noticed it, and he didn’t bother to hide it. He let her look at him and see him for what he was, just another carnal beast who couldn’t control his urges.
“I’m just a man, Amelia. I can’t help what I feel or think.”
“About me, or about any woman? Could I be any woman standing here, and you’d act the same way? Was I just the one standing closest?”
He winced. “Christ, no. That isn’t what I meant. You know this is not who I am. It’s being close to you that does it to me. I confess, you drive me mad—you’re so damn beautiful. You’re my betrothed, but you’re not, and yet when I look at you...”
Her breathing had become ragged. “What? You look at me, and what?”
“You’re mine. I look at you and think no other man should touch you because you’re mine.” He couldn’t look away from her, and the way she stared back, his cock wasn’t softening anytime soon. There was a challenge in her eyes—to prove he meant it, to step toward her and take what was his.
But that wasn’t the truth. She wasn’t his. They’d both been clear, and he couldn’t let her impulsive fire spread to him.
“You should go first,” he said.
She huffed out a laugh of disbelief. “That’s it? This is over?”
“This is all that there will ever be. You’re not really mine.”
She stepped closer to him, and he tensed. He would not be able to stop a second time.
“You’re right. I’m not yours. Because you’re a coward.”
Ice replaced the fire in his blood. “Thank you for the reminder.”
She slipped through the curtain and disappeared. Graham stayed, breathing deep and hating the way his body fought with reason. At last, he got himself under control, but the night wasn’t over. They would be returning to the same residence, woefully unchaperoned, and the only thing keeping their attraction in check was their mutual anger—at him. He wanted her; she wanted him. They both knew that now. There was no hiding it. But that didn’t change anything about the inevitable future. She still believed they would part ways, with nothing more lingering between them than their shared love for Alston and their current mutual attraction.
But Graham wasn’t so sure if he could walk away from this unscathed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Amelia returned tothe ballroom. Their waltz was underway, but she and Graham would not be on the floor. In fact, she would never get so close to him again. Even the carriage would test her limits.
In that alcove, she’d wanted everything. She’d wanted him to touch her bare skin, and she’d wanted to touch him in return. He’d stood there, his manhood stretching his trousers, and he’d let her see it. She’d felt it between her legs, even through layers of fabric, how hard and aroused he was for her. Her body ached now, empty, and her thighs were slick at the apex.
She was still overheated, her skin agitated by her clothing which now felt too tight. And now she had to stand here in discomfort because his honor had reared its cowardly head. Was it the right thing to do? To stop them from making such a mistake? The logical answer was yes, but her body revolted. It wanted all the things his body had promised. Her anger only grew the longer she stood there, ignoring the interested glances of people who wanted to speak with her.
She had to get out of here. Preferably without seeing Graham again. She pivoted and returned to the front hall and asked for her cloak and carriage. The footman held the door for her as sheclimbed inside, and she shrouded herself in shadows as the door clicked shut. Lost in her thoughts, ruminating on the emotions Graham had spurred inside her, she reached home all too swiftly. But before the door could open, the tiger and coachman were speaking with someone.
Amelia opened the door, expecting to see Graham miraculously there to hand her out, furious she’d left without him, but blue eyes caught hers.
Mr. Tristan Chase.
She steeled herself, not wanting to show her weakness, not wanting to reveal how scared she was to speak with him again, even in the presence of two men she trusted to protect her if necessary. He strolled forward and offered her his hand. She rejected it and stepped out by herself.
Smirking at the slight, he tipped his hat toward her.
“Good evening, Lady Amelia. I expected to wait much longer.”
Amelia folded her arms. “Why are you waiting for me at all?”
The door opened, and the butler and a footman waited for her to enter, watching Mr. Chase warily. She’d never been more appreciative of her household and their loyalty. She nodded at them.
“I have more questions about your brother.”
“He isn’t here to answer them, and the hour is late. Call again in daylight at a more appropriate hour, Mr. Chase.” She moved past him. She really didn’t think he’d do her bodily harm, but she didn’t want to linger and tempt fate.
“I’m a busy man, I’m afraid. Now will have to do, if you can spare me but a moment.”
