She should be offended by his use of such vulgar language. But wanton hussy that she was, she only felt strangely exhilarated.
Olivia took a deep, steadying breath.
She’d never been the type to admit defeat. Never.
But sometimes, one had to recognize that there were things which could not be controlled. And she very much didnotwant to stumble on – well, that.
She glanced up at Alexander, feeling her heart do its usual gallop in the face of his harsh, masculine beauty.
She would never tire of looking at his face. Which was a problem, admittedly. But at least it was a problem with a nice view.
“You said it was too cold for that,” she mumbled.
“And I still believe it is. But there’s a world of pleasure that one could engage in, unhindered by the cold.”
Olivia’s breath quickened.
“And you’re an expert on such things, no doubt,” she quipped, but her tone lacked its usual bite.
Alexander grinned wolfishly.
“Oh, I hope so.”
Olivia couldn’t seem to form a response, especially when she caught the predatory glint in his eyes.
He dipped his head toward her own.
“Shall I prove it to you?” he whispered close to her lips.
Olivia could think of no way to answer, except to close the final, minuscule distance between them.
She loved him. She knew that now. Perhaps she always had. What she didn’t know was what on earth to do about it.
Alexander madea herculeaneffort to pull himself away from Olivia.
She was utterly irresistible, but he was conscious of the fact that they were in public and in the cold.
Much as he wanted her, he didn’t relish the idea of making it a spectator sport.
He studied her face for a moment, drinking in her heart-stopping beauty.
The sooner he got her to the carriage and in a semblance of privacy, the better.
“Come,” he said softly, taking her hand and walking toward the vehicle. They walked in silence; Alexander was lost in his own thoughts, and he assumed Olivia was lost in hers.
Still, she didn’t move her hand from his and he was surprised at how happy that simple act made him. It felt right somehow, to be holding her hand, as though she had always belonged right there, walking beside him.
“Are you warm enough?” he asked her quietly, not wanting to speak loudly and ruin the perfect stillness that surrounded them.
Olivia smiled wryly.
“Not really,” she confessed.
He wasn’t surprised.
The sky was bright and cloud free; the stars and full moon gleaming, illuminating the park with a brilliant white light and though it was beautiful to see, it certainly made it chilly.
There was already frost forming on the grass beneath their feet.
