He had to move away from her. His jaw flexed, his shoulders stiff, his pulse pounding, Xavier paced across the room. He stared grimly out of the windows into the starry night. Who was this woman? Why was she affecting him so?
He faced her. “Have we met before?”
“Not exactly.”
“What does that mean?”
Her mouth opened; she inhaled. “I’ve been to Blackwell House.”
“When?” he demanded.
“You weren’t there. No one was home. I mean, I walked by.”
“You’re from Boston?”
“New York City.”
“You were visiting friends in Boston? Relatives?”
She was worrying the tassels dangling from her vest. “Yes. Friends.”
He stared. Something was awry. And she was unhappy. Why? Because of his questions? Or because he hadn’t kissed her? “Whom were you visiting in Boston?” he asked.
“What does it matter?”
“I am certain that we must have met at least in passing. Somewhere, sometime.”
“No.”
“Perhaps I know your freinds?”
“I don’t think so,” she whispered.
His gaze roamed her face. She was upset. He was being a cad. This woman was a captive, which was abominable, and he was interrogating her. “I’m sorry.” He forced a smile and strode toward her. “I don’t know what overcame me. I did not mean to upset you, Vera.”
She didn’t move, her back against the door, her green gaze glued to his face.
It was the most natural thing in the world. The most awkward, the most tense. His hand lifted, cupping her smooth ivory cheek. She stood very still, like a doe caught in gun-sights, immobilized.
“I would never hurt you,” he heard himself say.
“I know,” she whispered. A tear slipped from her eyes.
“Why are you crying?”
She swallowed, unable to speak.
“You are not alone anymore, Vera,” he whispered. “Trust me. I am here, and together we will get through this, I swear to you on all that I hold dear.”
“Yes,” she breathed. “Ohmygod, Xavier.” She faltered. Another tear trickled down her cheek.
“Please con’t cry,” he said. “I am a complete coward, you see. A woman’s tears terrify me.”
She smiled, her eyes wet and luminous.
His palm still cupped her cheek. Xavier knew he must remove it, but his thumb stroked the edge of her jaw. In another moment, he would kiss her.
She knew it too. Silence enveloped them, thick and hot. Xavier could hear his own racing heartbeat, and possibly hers as well.
