She glanced up, eyes wary and cheeks flushed. “You are taking this self-appointed role of protector far too seriously.”
“Perhaps,” he said, rolling up his sleeves. “But I’d do the same for any woman under this roof. Dominic would expect no less.”
She arched a brow. “How noble.”
She poured batter into the hot pan, swirling it with a practiced flick and impressing him even more. “You could thank me, you know.”
“Thank you,” she said dryly. “But I don’t need saving.”
“No doubt about that.”
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I can arrange for you to meet Lady Ann before she tears another dress of mine. She seems lovely. Eager and uncomplicated.”
Austin snorted as they swapped places, and he flipped the crêpe with a quick twist of the wrist. He silently cheered for himself before he continued.
“We need to talk.”
“We are talking,” Deena retorted.
“Properly.” He lowered his voice and tilted the pan until the crêpe slid off and landed onto the plate. “You dropped a rather large confession last night about your little blackmail issue. You owe me an explanation.”
Deena added sliced strawberries to their crêpe. Her movements were precise and he watched in awe of her gracefulness.
“I owe you nothing beyond our bargain.”
“Our bargain now includes your safety.” He leaned closer to reach the chocolate pot; their arms brushed, and heat flared along his skin. “Tell me who is threatening you.”
“Not here.”
“Then where?”
She folded the crêpe neatly. “We finish breakfast first.”
He spread chocolate on the crêpe. Their fingers accidentally grazed as they both reached for the spoon but neither pulled away immediately.
“You cook competently,” she murmured.
“I, too, spent some time in Paris,” he said and she eyed him curiously. “Long story.”
“I’ll bet.”
The air between them crackled. There was so much more he wanted to ask her, but he held his tongue.
“You’re avoiding me,” he said softly.
“I’m cooking.” Deena moved to the pan as if to prove her point, pouring the butter and batter quickly so that the sound blocked his voice.
“No, you’re stalling.” Austin watched as the heat warmed her skin even more, and she flipped the crêpe effortlessly.
She met his gaze and sighed. “Fine, I will meet with you.”
Austin plated the last crêpe, added a dusting of sugar, and slid it to her for the finishing touches.
“Meet me at my room,” he said casually. “Third door on the east corridor, after this meal.”
Deena’s eyes widened. “Your room?”
“It’s private and safe.” He held her stare. “Unless you’d prefer the library again, whereanyonecould walk in?”
