This is exactly like it is in my book, aside from the bookcase behind us. It’s supposed to be a wall. And I’m finding it increasingly hard to keep my pulse from racing.
William stares down at me with a tortured expression. His throat bobs, right on cue. “You know how I feel.”
I’m supposed to lift my chin, but I’m so flustered I can’t meet his eyes. At least I can deliver the right line. “I don’t.”
William brings his forefinger under my chin and lifts it. An action that isn’t written in my scene because I’m supposed to be looking at him. My breath hitches as he forces me to meet his eyes. He brings his face mere inches from mine. “Then may I show you?”
My lips part, my answer ready. I know what I’m supposed to say and what happens next. But…but shouldn’t we cut the scene here? We’re in public, after all, and…bloody hell, there’s William’s issue to consider! He can’t kiss someone he isn’t attracted to, nor is he comfortable performing intimacies in public. Maybe I should?—
His fingers lace through mine, still pinned over my head, and he gives my hand a squeeze. It isn’t an action expressed in my scene, and there’s something reassuring about it.
I release a slow breath, calming my panicked thoughts.
William leans ever closer until our noses touch, just the lightest brush of skin against skin. Another action not in this scene. Then, with his voice so low there’s no way it could carry beyond me, he whispers, “May I, Weenie?”
Finally, I deliver Dolly’s response. “Yes.”
William leans the rest of the way in, and his lips press against mine. They’re soft yet firm, perfectly warm. Nothing cold or probing like Archie’s mouth was. Our lips linger together for a long moment. My mind empties. Spreads out into a beautiful blank page. I don’t remember where I am. Who’s watching. I’m only aware of William’s lips. The scent of his skin. The taste of chocolate and peppermint between us. The squeeze of his palm. The way our lips part at the exact same moment and he kisses me again, harder this time. The way I angle my head, craving just a little more?—
Applause erupts, splattering ink across that blank page in my mind. I stiffen. William lingers just a second longer, exhaling against my mouth, then pulls away. I blink into the space he occupied, my spectacles fogged from our breaths. Our audience has risen to their feet, their applause even louder now. William faces them and bows. Belatedly, I do the same, my motions stiff and clumsy.
William has finally earned the attention and approval of the book club members, who now surround him, begging him to autograph that scene in their copies of the book. The meeting dissolves into casual chatter, and I participate in it, answer questions, laugh at the right times. Yet half my mind remains wrapped in that kiss, my gaze constantly seeking William in the small crowd. He doesn’t meet my eyes like he did at the party at Somerton House. Instead, he seems truly engaged in the conversations around him.
“You don’t have to worry about my request earlier.” Monty’s voice shatters my train of thought.
I don’t know how long he’s been standing beside me or how long he’s been watching me staring at William, but I force myself to shift all my attention to him. “Pardon?”
He lowers his voice. “About spending the night in your room.”
“Oh.” Right, he did make that request earlier. Because he assumed William and Zane would spend the night in William’s room. Does he no longer believe that’s the case? My heart flips with relief.
“Zane and I had a chat just now,” he says.
I find my gaze has strayed to William again, and Zane has joined him. They whisper something in his ear, which elicits a furrowed brow from William. Then his eyes lock on mine. I avert my gaze back to Monty. “Is that so?”
Monty takes a cigarillo from a slim silver case and tucks it over his ear. Thankfully he knows better than to light that thing in a bookstore. Then why does mischief play in his eyes? “We came to some similar conclusions.”
I frown. “Like what?”
“Like the fact that I won’t need to spend the night in your room after all. I can spend the night in Zane’s.”
More relief floods my heart. Was he wrong about William’s relationship with Zane? Did Monty find himself a lover instead? A genuine grin warms my lips. “Did you and the opera singer hit it off that well?”
“We did indeed, but I think you have the wrong idea. I’ll be spending the night in Zane’s room alone.”
I puzzle over his words…until their meaning becomes clear. He’ll stay in Zane’s room tonight because Zane will be staying with William.
The smile falls from my face. “Oh.”
Monty lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s a shame that kiss wasn’t behind bedroom doors. It didn’t count toward your bet. Now William’s going to take away your one-point lead for a tie.”
My gaze shoots to William. His eyes are already on me, and I wonder if he’s been watching me talk to Monty this entire time.Zane angles their head toward the front of the store. William’s mouth lifts in a taunting curl, his eyes glinting with menace.
He gives me a pointed nod and leaves the crowd with Zane.
Hurt and rage boil inside me as I watch them walk away. Disappear from view. I imagine them crossing the street to the hotel, hand in hand.
I’m frozen in place, my imagination alternating between thoughts of them together with thoughts of he and I together.
