He motioned to the instrument. “Play for me, and don’t tell me you don’t know how. I’m quite certain this is another thing your parents taught you while you were young.”
“Although I do know how to play, my heart is not in it tonight. Forgive me.”
She moved away from the instrument and walked past him to the sofa. Her flowery scent moved with her, reminding him how much he loved that smell.
Trey walked around the couch and sat next to her. He turned and brought his arm across the back of the furniture, facing her. Still, she hesitated in meeting his eyes. His heart clenched. How could he prove to her he didn’t have a mistress?
He exhaled deeply. “Now, about that misunderstanding.”
She arched her eyebrow. “What misunderstanding?”
“About my mistress.”
Judith’s shoulders squared and she lifted her chin a notch. A trait he had always admired in Judith—her stubbornness.
“My lord, I thought you told me you didn’t have one.”
“I don’t. Not now.”
“But you did at one time?”
He nodded. “I’m not going to lie to you.” He moved his hand and caressed the lock of hair near her ear. “I had a mistress,but our relationship ended about a week before I received my mother’s letter informing me about her new ward.”
The tightness around Judith’s lips softened, as did the gleam in her emerald eyes. She was enchanting. Irresistible. And to think he had to resist her.
“Truly?” Her voice was soft.
“Yes. If you want me to prove it to you, I can. I will have my secretary tell you the very day I sent the missive to dissolve our relationship.”
Her whole body relaxed and she shook her head. “That will not be necessary. I believe you.”
He scooted closer and placed his hand over hers resting in her lap. Using his other hand, he slid it across her shoulders to pull her closer. Thankfully, she didn’t resist.
“Now, I want to know why you care if I have a mistress or not?”
Her tongue slipped out and moistened her lips as the blush in her cheeks darkened. “Well, you see—” Her throat jumped as if she swallowed hard. “I have come to have deep feelings for you, Trey.”
He stroked her cheek. “As a friend?”
Her chuckle sounded uneasy. “Well, of course. We are friends, are we not?”
“I certainly hope so.” He drew his thumb along her jaw line, heading toward her sensual mouth. “However, due to what happened the night of your ball, I feel we have become more than friends.”
Her skin turned hot under his touch. He wanted to laugh, but refrained.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I feel we have become more than mere friends.”
Excitement drummed inside his chest and he cursed the effect she had on him. Although he wanted to hear the wordsfrom her mouth, he knew nothing could come of it. Perhaps this was the time he needed to tell her so she didn’t fall completely in love with him.
He couldn’t bring the words forth. They wouldn’t form on his tongue. Instead, the need to kiss her, hold and touch her overrode everything.
Chapter Thirty-Five
She took hishand from her jaw and brought it to her mouth, placing a sweet kiss on his palm. “Trey, I want to be more than just your friend.”
Groaning, he cupped her face and brought his mouth to hers. He kissed her gently at first, then raw hunger took over and he wrapped his arms around her and crushed her against his body. Her deep sighs thrilled him, and he wanted nothing more than to bring back the passion they’d shared in her bedroom not long ago. Her hands slid over his chest, wandering. His muscles clenched wherever she touched.
“Oh, my love. You know how much I want you,” he muttered.
