He leaned into her hand, eyes misting. She smiled at the act. “And what’s the point of having a beginning without an equally satisfying ending? As your partner, I should be able to deliver that much even if it’s only for a year.”
“A year,” he mumbled.
Her smile faltered at the sullen look on his face. She felt like she’d said something wrong. But they hadn’t discussed anything different even with all the kisses and touches.
“I—”
“You consider me your partner?” he croaked, hands wrapping around hers as the weight of her words finally landed.
“Yes, at least for now.”
His lips twitched, but his eyes showed the satisfaction he felt at her answer. Then they dimmed as if he remembered something.
“For now.”
34
“Eat.”Nicolas held a bowl of strawberries.
Emily tried to move to him from the living room, but she was tethered, held back by an invisible rope around her legs. It had something to do with that commanding tone.
“You’re not at work,” was all she managed to get out.
He lifted a brow at her. “Andyouhaven’t eaten all day according to the housekeepers.”
She blinked. “I’m not hungry.”
The sight of him was one she’d longed for since he’d left for work.
Wait.
Did he come back just to feed her?
His eyes squinted, agitated lines pulling his face down. “Not hungry? Okay…what have you had for lunch then?” He strolled over and sat beside her. Her mouth went dry as desire bloomed inside her body from his scent.
“Emily.” He snapped her out of the daydreaming.
“Hmm?”
“I asked what you had for lunch.”
She looked at him, her mind finally catching on. “Uh…”
His jaw tightened.
“I didn’t do it on purpose!” she blurted. “I’ve just been script reading and the time slipped away from me.”
His eyes softened. “Say ‘ah.’”
“What?”
The strawberry between his long fingers caressed her lips. She looked at him wide-eyed. “Ah…” he coaxed.
Emily’s mouth parted as if she were under compulsion.
Nicolas didn’t take his eyes off her lips as they wrapped around the red fruit and sucked it in swiftly. She chewed for a few seconds. Her eyes flew open in delight at the taste.
“Yummy.”
