She shot him a glance from under her lashes, a little disappointed to see him rolling down his sleeves with abrupt,terse movements, so she tested a subtle tease. “I found myself anxious to see you again, Bull.”
Was it her imagination or did he freeze for a moment, his movements stuttering to a stop before he shook his head once and continued his movements? “I’ve heard back from Madam Desiree,” he abruptly announced.
Madam—oh, the former courtesan, the one hosting tonight’s ball and auction. “I am impressed you?—”
“No’ me,” he barked, his back still to her. “Baron von Trappedwill be attending tonight’s event with his mistress, and requested permission to view Madam’s collection early, to bid. She is most welcoming, and told me her man—he’ll be dressed in a penguin costume—would collect us for the viewing.”
“Oh. That is…” Rosie bit her lower lip. “Convenient.”
“Aye. I’m ready for ye,” he finally announced, rolling his shoulders and turning back to her, as if he’d had to prepare himself to face her. “Come along.”
When he jerked his head toward the interior door, she hid her confusion and followed.
“Ready for me?” she murmured.
He pushed open the door to reveal…a sleeping chamber.Hissleeping chamber.
And for one delightful, wonderful moment, Rosie thoughtready for memeant something involving that huge, neatly made bed. Bull’s room really was quite minimalistic, wasn’t it? There weren’t nearly enough pillows…
“You live here?” Did she sound as if she were strangling? Perhaps she was.
He scowled over his shoulder. “I find it more convenient to combine my office with my apartment. I could afford to rent—tobuy—elsewhere—” He bit off the protest with an abrupt shake of his head. “I am no’ puir.”
Her shoulders slowly softened. “I never thought that, Bull. You are so successful at what you do?—”
Bull’s growl—really, what was he protesting?—interrupted her as he stalked across the room to pull open another door.
“I dinnae need yer pity. Get in here.”
Get in where? Rosie hesitantly stepped forward, into?—
A bathing chamber.
Oh my.
If his room had been simple, then this chamber was ornate; beautiful blue and white tiles, a claw-foot bath, and a basin. She found herself staring. It was a nice little set-up; he’d clearly converted the apartment’s sitting room into an office, and lived where he worked.
She wondered why she’d never considered it before.
“This is—” Rosie cleared her throat. “This is your home?”
“Aye.” He pulled out the chair from the dressing table and plopped it in the center of the tile. “Sit down. Are ye judging my quarters?”
The command almost hid the question, and Rosie blinked as she settled in the chair. “No, I think it is quite cozy. I am…impressed.”
When she glanced at him, he was frowning down at herwith a strange look in his lovely gray eyes. As if he had been surprised by her answer. Or confused by it.
Byher.
She hid her smile and turned her back to him once more. “Why am I in your bathing room, Bull?” Unable to resist a bit of flirtation, she added, “Do I need a bath? Did you invite me here to bathe me?”
A choked noise came from behind her, and it took all of Rosie’s self-control not to turn around and view his response.
Instead, she allowed her mouth to curve knowingly. “I suppose Iama bit dirty?—”
“For fook’s sake, Rosie, shut up!”
She pressed her lips together to try to hide her laughter. It didn’t work, and a sort of snort emerged, which was echoed by Bull as he stomped across the tiles to the dressing table.
