“No,” I shake my head and feign a yawn.
Please just leave.
Troy lifts his other hand from his side, his fingers taking the front of my hair as he tucks it behind my ear.
“You were beautiful tonight, Alexis…” he says softly, “you had the full of the court wrapped around your finger.”
My body recoils from his touch, that deep anger seeping through me as I remember everything I’ve learned about this man. Troy immediately pulls his hand away with a frown, his blue eyes narrowing on mine as his brows furrow in thought.
Shit, I forgot about his summoning.
“You’re angry,” he says quietly, bringing his hand up to his jaw to rub against the blonde stubble there, “with me. Why?”
“No,” I reply with a small smile, pushing away the anger with difficulty, “just tired and exhausted. It’s been a long night. A long travel in general.”
“Then tell me about it,” he says sensually and leans in closer, his chest covering the empty space between us.
I grip the handle of my door and shake my head, “not tonight, Troy. Perhaps another time.”
Troy frowns again and moves his hand from his jaw to softly grab the bottom of my chin. He tilts my head up to meet his gaze, his blue eyes beckoning me to talk to him, to engage with him, to touch him…
Wait.
What?
No.
Why would I want to touch him?
I pull my chin out of his grip in confusion, not understanding that small feeling of desire that called for me to touch him. Troy grimaces and pushes his other hand off the doorway to look at me thoughtfully, his eyes darting across my face.
“Something’s changed,” he watches me coldly.
Yes.
So much has changed. Namely my new awareness of the Woodlands Court he covets and the knowledge that he’s only been meeting with me to gain insight into my travels. Did he think I would never find out? Would I have, if I hadn’t met Keane?
Another flood of anger pushes through me, but this time I let it grip my chest and own it. I hold his cold blue eyes with mine and stand taller behind the door, angling my shoulders back as the two of us watch the other with cool features.
“Whatever you’ve heard, Alexis,” he says quietly, “it’s not the full truth.”
I laugh at the comment, “I guess I’ll have to find out for myself when I travel to Woodlands next.”
Troy fists his hands at his sides, “my brother Desmond has the tendency to exaggerate things, Alexis. Whatever he’s told you…”
Desmond, my mind races.
He has no knowledge of Keane and I.
Good.
“Again,” I lift my brows, “I hope to learn more when I visit.”
“When will that be, then?” he looks at me with a new softness in his eyes, “when will you travel?”
“Soon,” I nod.
Troy gives me a solemn look, continuing to watch me in thought, “then I will travel with you. Put whatever thoughts are currently in your mind to rest.”
