Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed another couple sweep onto the floor. Charles and Theo were dressed to the nines tonight, both in tailored tuxes, and they danced close to us.
“We couldn’t let you two suffer alone,” Charles called over.
“So you decided to add to my suffering,” Cillian teased.
However, Theo and Charles had broken whatever invisible barrier had kept people from joining us, and other couplesfiltered onto the dance floor, swirling and turning around us. As much as a part of me had enjoyed taking the risk with Cillian, diving into the center of the ballroom with him, relief rushed through me that our movements were more obscured, that the spotlight was no longer solely on us.
We continued to circle around, this time to the next song that poured through the speakers, and I savored how Cillian guided me still, his movements fluid and graceful. I could feel the way his tension leached away, how our dance had accomplished what I’d hoped. His palm on my hip felt like a brand, and I loved how he staked his claim by both word and action.
“This wasn’t a terrible idea,” he said as we swirled around. “Normally I have to suffer through far more small talk.”
“Perish the thought,” I teased.
“Thankfully I only have to host one of these a year,” he said. “And then I can go back to ignoring most of these people the rest of the time.”
“You clearly hold them in such high esteem.”
“Esteem is earned,” he said, his tone taking on a more serious note. The way he stared at me, the intensity there, had me almost stumbling on the next movement. “You won mine early on.”
Pride thrummed through me at the statement, even though I indulged in the urge to joke. “It was the constant reminders I was a librarian, wasn’t it?”
Cillian snorted. “You’re fearless when it matters, and I admire the hell out of that.”
“Careful with all these compliments. They might go to my head,” I warned as he swayed with me again. Here on the dance floor with him, I could feel how our souls connected, like sparks trying to find each other and merge.
I’d never experienced it before in my life, and I doubt I would again.
“Then I’ll have to continue until you believe them,” he said.
His words traveled straight to my heart and lived there.
***
We’d danced for a good hour on the floor before departing. Cillian ushered me over to the bar for drinks, and we made small talk with dozens of casino owners and their dates for the night. The sheer volume of people had doubled from when we’d first stepped in, and I’d long past hit my limit for socialization. Yet I was also aware of Olivia and Thorin’s presence here the entire time.
I’d sipped enough expensive champagne to survive the night, though, even if I’d far rather be curled up in Cillian’s bed. I’d barely been in my own room except to grab clothes as of late.
“Are they behaving?” I asked Cillian, glancing over to where Thorin rubbed elbows with a few of the other casino owners at one of the tables. Olivia had taken to the dance floor, mingling with a few others there. At least those who could spend time in her presence without getting frostbite.
“They won’t try anything in public,” he said. “Not where everyone else can see them. There’s a reason he’s never been caught before.”
“Fuck, I hate that,” I murmured.
“Me too.” He slid his hand next to mine. “Want to go see the view of the gardens from the balcony?”
“You mean escape all the hellish superficial socialization? God, would I ever.”
Cillian let out a loud laugh that drew a few eyes in our direction. Right, I’d forgotten he normally didn’t show this side of himself around others. A thrill rose inside me again that I got to witness his amusement and laughs as freely as I did.
He gripped my hand and led me in the direction of the balcony, the double doors at the far end of the room more enticing than ever. We were stopped a few times along the way, but Cillian gave his quick nods of acknowledgement with a few words and moved on with an ease I envied. Since these people weren’t wanting to talk to me, I just tuned out, keeping my gaze on the two problems in our sphere. For as much as I’d relaxed and enjoyed myself for parts of the night, I’d remained vigilant.
Cillian pushed the balcony door open, and the sweet nighttime breezes greeted me. We’d gone to the garden below countless times during the day. Once Cillian realized how cooped up I’d felt, he’d added the trip to our regular routine, a consideration I was well aware of. Flickering globes that emulated flame shone on either side of us, and I stepped out to the edge of the balcony, the combination of stone and wrought iron creating a stunning platform. I clutched onto the railing and stared out at the massive fountain down below, which was lit up. The combination was similar to inside, the interplay of light and dark everywhere here.
Sort of like the man behind it all.
Cillian leaned against the side of the balcony and drew in a deep breath. He stared out into the distance, but instead of wonder, a heavy reticence lingered in his demeanor, which I’d been cataloging more and more as of late. Less lonely and cold, and more…melancholy.
“Do you like it here?” he asked, the question seeming to come out of nowhere. “Not asking as the person holding a ten-year sentence over you.”
