We sat at the table and dug in. Just as I hoped, the crust tasted incredible: flaky and crispy. I would marry that oven if I could. It cooked the inside to perfection as well. The gooey apple filling with its explosion of warm spices balanced perfectly with the creamy whipped topping.
Did Lord Onyx like it too?
I peeked at him. He had a great poker face, showing no reaction whatsoever to the cobbler. Did he hate it? Think it was too tart?
“You’re staring,” he said before taking a drink.
“Just wondering if you like it. You’re kinda hard to read sometimes.”
“Both the cobbler and the coffee are quite satisfactory,” he answered with no inflection and his expression blank. “Happy?”
“No.” I sneered at him.
“How unfortunate that must be for you.” Eyes on me, he lifted the fork to his lips and slowly eased the bite into his mouth.
The only thing unfortunate was my lack of composure. Everything about him turned me on—even the way he ate. Like how his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed the bite. What the heck was wrong with me? Unlike all the stubborn men in my life, I couldn’t hide my emotions even if my life depended on it.
“Staring again,” he said.
“Yeah, what of it?” I jabbed at a chunk of apple and shoved it into my mouth, then went in for some of the crispy crust. “You have no room to talk, anyway, because you stare at me all the time.”
“I do. More and more, I find it hard to look away.”
My hand stilled, the fork frozen at my lips. I lowered it without taking a bite. His tone had changed, as did the gleam in his eyes. Not playful, cold, or any of the other moods he’d shown so far that night.
“If I were wise, I’d keep my distance from you.” Onyx shifted his gaze to the window beside his chair. Rain lightly fell, creating soft taps against the glass. “Gods know how I’ve tried. Yet, here I sit with you once more. It’s as though you’ve burrowed into my skin and planted yourself so deep in my soul I have little hope of cutting you out.”
Blood coursed hotter through my veins. “Is that such a bad thing?”
Red eyes returned to mine. “I can think of nothing worse.”
“Why?” I sat far too still in my chair, not even a leg bounce. My hands were shoved into my lap, fingers gnarled together. “What’s so bad about letting yourself get close to someone? To me?”
“Because you aren’t just anyone, Evan.” Onyx pushed away from the table and swept a hand through his long, black hair.It was one of the first times I’d seen his composure slip to that degree, his mask chipping and falling away. “You’re my…”
“Your what?” I pressed once he’d fallen silent.
“It matters not.” He shook his head and stepped toward the archway leading from the kitchen. “Gratitude for the sweet treat. I’m going to retire for the night. I suggest you do the same.”
“Onyx, wait.” I shuffled out of my chair. A loud ringing sounded in my ears. “I don’t understand.”
He stopped walking. “Then allow me to be forthright. Put any thoughts of me, romantic or otherwise, to rest. For both of our sakes.”
“No.”
His body turned slightly as he looked at me over his shoulder.
“No,” I repeated, firmer this time. “Not until you give me a good reason. And ‘because I said so’ doesn’t count.”
“I owe you no explanation.” Onyx tipped his chin up and stared down at me with unfeeling eyes. A stark contrast to the pain and regret from moments ago. “Abide by my request or pack your belongings and leave my castle. Those are your only choices.”
He was breaking my heart—though it wasn’t sadness for me but for him. Because I saw how hard he was fighting. Resisting. The chips in the mask he wore had been mended, hiding his emotion once again, but the lines were still there. Weak points that would shatter one day whether he wanted them to or not.
“If you really want me to stay away from you, I will.” I took a step toward him. “But I don’t think you do.”
He watched me like a caged lion. On edge but ready to dive in for the kill if necessary. “Don’t presume to know my thoughts.”
“Thentellme what you’re thinking so I don’t have to guess, you insufferable demon.”
