“I’m not sure what that would be,” Alexander grumbled. “My mother claims my first word was ‘shite.’ Though Nicholas insists I ran around the house shouting ‘binky.’”
“Were you always this…imposing?” Elizabeth scooped up another bite of lasagna as Alexander sat back and took a sip of hiswine.
“I fought with the other children. Once I joined the Royal Army, I met other men like me who helped me realize why I couldn’t leave well enough alone. I embraced being a Dom, and my life suddenly madesense.”
Elizabeth soaked up the knowledge about the man next to her. He was so open, much different than she’d expected him tobe.
Still, she couldn’t find her bearings. Alexander often paused to caress her cheek or arm, and at the end of the meal, scooped up a bite of lasagna for her from his own plate and held the fork to her lips. Despite the absurdity of the action, Elizabeth squirmed, and heat floodedher.
“Dessert,” Alexander said as he withdrew a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries from the fridge. “These, I did not make. A tragedy for which you should be supremelythankful.”
Something inside her melted at his self-deprecating statement. “You did quite well with everything else. There’s always nexttime.”
“We’re up to two future dates now.” He grinned. “This is progress.” He fed her a strawberry, following it up with a firm kiss and a swipe of his tongue over the corner of her mouth. “Delicious. The strawberry and thewoman.”
“I enjoy your company,” Elizabeth said, throwing his words back at him. “I still think you’re making a mistake pursuing me, but it seems that I can’t stop you. And the more time we spend together, the less I think I wantto.”
“AndIstill do not understand why you insist on referring to yourself as a mistake,” he said, his words clipped. “I’ve made mistakes before. Miss Massachusetts was a mistake. She thought James Bond was a real British agent. The newscaster, Paola Larkinson was a mistake. She had us followed by a cameraman on our one and only date. You arenota mistake.” He took her hands, and his strong grip almost convinced her of the truth of his words. “I’ve never felt as much myself as I do when I am with you. With everyone else in my life, even my brother, I’ve always been guarded. But with you, I think all of those walls can comedown.”
“You’re different than I thought you would be,” Elizabeth said. “Less...arrogant.”
Alexander chuckled, earning him a punch in the arm. “Oh, you’re still arrogant. Your whole tea-gifting, dress-sending penchants, and insistence that I’m going to end up in your silks? Arrogant. But there’s another side to you that comes out when you’re relaxed like this.Playful.”
“I’m not sure anyone’s called me playful before.” Alexander fed her anotherstrawberry.
Elizabeth savored the sweet fruit as she watched the man in front of her. “You’re a mystery, Alexander Fairhaven. One I want tosolve.”
