“I did not,” she said and took another step away from him. “And I still do not. I simply came to end things.”
“Then why did you not write to me?” He frowned at her.
“I was unsure if you were home because you disappeared for a week with no note! So, I decided to tell you in person. I could not risk someone finding the letter.” She lifted her chin stubbornly as her back hit against a shelf.
There was no way to escape him, and Alexander did not stop approaching.
“I am curious, Theodora. Are there not more stages in your experiment to complete? Or did you complete them with someone else?” He was now towering over her, and she felt it hard to concentrate.
“You think so little of me! You know there is another stage but—” She thought about stage seven.
Alexander stopped and tilted his head.
“But?”
“But,” she said through gritted teeth, “I refuse to continue my experiment with a man who isknownfor seducing women!”
His brows creased. He tilted his head back and laughed.
Theodora bristled. “Do not laugh at me.”
“Where,” he asked, still amused, “did you hear such stories?”
She glared at him through her lashes. “I heard about your legendary pursuits with courtesans. Three, to be exact.”
Alexander’s expression shifted from surprise to disbelief. Then a slow, cocky smile appeared on his lips.
“Ah,” he said. “Thatrumor.”
“It is true, then?”
“Not entirely,” he said firmly and she could hear the pride in his tone.
“You truly are a rake,” she muttered under her breath.
He closed the distance between them but did not touch her. Theodora gripped the sides of her skirts so she would not be tempted to grab him and pull him closer.
“Theodora,” he said quietly, “you should know that, other than my sister, I have not spent time with another woman since the day we began your experiment.”
She froze.
“I took your work seriously,” he continued. “Even if you doubt me.”
She could not speak but she felt a sense of relief as he spoke.
“And as for my so-called legendary pursuits…” He shook his head. “That was a long time ago. That was my past. I am a single gentleman; I do not have to explain myself to you because you are clearly not interested in marrying me or anyone for that matter. So why should any of that bother you?”
“It does not…I just do not want to be taken for a fool.” Her voice was rough with emotion.
“That was not my intention. I only wanted to help you with your experiment because I am merely curious.”
She stared at him, searching his face for any sign of deception but when she found none her shoulders loosened just slightly.
“If you truly do not want to see me again,” he said softly, “then say it. But make sure it is what you want. Not something you are doing out of fear.”
Her eyes flashed. “I am tired of being told I am afraid!”
“Then stop acting like you are.”
