“Do not flatter me. I am still upset with you.”
They strolled out of the alley together and Alexander’s low laugh echoed around her. Theodora was grateful for the night air that cooled her flushed skin. The Iron Pit’s raucous din slowly faded behind them and was replaced by the intimate rhythm of their footsteps on cobblestone. Alexander stayed close to her, closer than any gentleman should. Every time his shoulder brushed hers, or his hip grazed her side, her breath snagged in her throat.
When they reached the carriage, he turned to her, and she willed herself not to shudder under his dark, molten eyes.
“Allow me,” he said huskily.
He wrapped his arms around her waist.
She should have refused. She knew she should have. But her hands rose of their own accord and landed lightly on his shoulders. The instant his callused palms closed around her hips, raw heat surged in her core. Alexander’s thumb deliberately stroked her sides in slow, knowing circles, as he hoisted her up and placed her inside the carriage.
His strength, touch, and closeness ripped a tiny, involuntary shudder through her whole body and he must have noticed.
Of course he noticed.
Because his gaze fell to her parted lips, then back to her eyes, and something enthralled yet tender flickered in his expression.
“There was no need for that.” She snatched her hands away from him and sat clumsily in the carriage seat.
How mortifying.
“Do not pretend that you did not enjoy it.” Alexander looked pleased with himself as he ordered the horseman and climbed in after her, shutting the door with a decisive click.
The carriage lurched forward, and suddenly the world narrowed to the two of them and the too-small space between their kneecaps.Theodora’s heart hammered so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
He watched her for a long silent moment before his brow furrowed. “Theo… is something wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong,” she replied too fast. “Everything is…perfectly fine.”
But Alexander kept staring at her. “Are you certain? You look as though you have caught a fever.”
She exhaled shakily, pressing her hand between her breasts. “My heart is racing, my hands are trembling, and my stomach is… tight and fluttering. And I am not unwell or afraid, so I do not understand why my body is doing this.”
Alexander smirked wickedly. “I believe that I understand what is happening.”
She glared at him. “Pray, do tell.”
Theodora did not expect him to lean in and pull her closer to him until she was between his knees. Her legs were trapped, but she did not want to retreat. Alexander reached out and tilted her chin towards him until there were eye-to-eye.
“Are you thinking about what I did to you the last time we were alone?” he asked softly, looking deep into her eyes.
Theodora found herself incapable of lying. “Y…yes.”
She trembled as she breathed him in. He smelt of sweat, cinnamon, and blood. Her body reacted wildly to his natural scent.
I have had enough of this!
Theodora opened her mouth to tell him to back off when Alexander closed the distance and captured her lips in a soft yet searing kiss.
“Mmm,” she moaned pleasurably against his mouth.
She did not realize how much she needed to taste him again until now. Alexander kissed her softly, almost carefully, but Theodora needed more. She nipped at his bottom lip; he hissed as he pulled away and cupped her chin, allowing his fingers to trail down her throat.
Theodora gasped and struggled to keep her balance on the edge of the seat.
“Do you want more, Theo?” His eyes were dark with passion.
She shook her head.
