“It was perfectly adequate.” He turned the page with more vim this time.
“You are going through that book remarkably fast.”
His hand paused in the process of reaching for the next page corner. “I’ve read it before. I am a speed reader. It is only boring description ofsunset. I don’t see why you are interrogating me in such a manner.” He smacked the page back against the preceding one.
“What book is it?”
He held up the cover for her to see.Madame Bovary.Alice’s heart flipped and did a nosedive into her stomach. “Did you read in bed with Princess Louise?” she asked before she even realized what she was saying.
The question startled her, but apparently startled Daniel even more: he tore the page he was in the process of turning. Alice gasped. Daniel stared bleakly into the middle distance for a moment, his jaw twitching as if he had just killed a man. Then he closed the book and turned to look at her with eyes that had become so dark she could see herself reflected in them.
“That is a rumor.”
Alice waited, but he did not further explain that it was abaselessrumor. As the silence lengthened, growing heavy with overtones, undertones, and implications, the air between them blushed, made up an excuse, and departed the room in awkward haste.
“You’re right,” Daniel said at last. “We ought to further our marital practice, due to safety concerns.”
“Uh huh,” Alice answered—which represented a high degree of eloquence considering the storm of blood thundering through her. “Perhaps a few more kissing exercises would be wise,” she managed to say.
“Not kissing,” Daniel said. “Lie down.”
Alice frowned in suspicion. “Why?”
“Lie down, Agent A.”
The cool authority in his voice strangely delighted her. She wriggled lower, clutching the quilt against her with one hand while trying to keep her nightgown from rising up with the other. Staring at theceiling—goodness, they ought to bring in a long mop and give it a thorough wash—she waited, hoping she did not drift asleep before Daniel began doing whatever it was he intended. It had been such a long day...
Then his hand slipped under the quilt to her thigh, and she was abruptly wide awake indeed.
15
chemistry moves on to physics— breaking the rules (and possibly the wrists)— interesting synonyms—alice takes a stance
To squirm or not to squirm, that is the question Alice posed herself as she lay gazing at the ceiling while Daniel pressed his hand against her thigh. Although the weight was comfortable, its warmth ignited nerves even through her nightgown and drawers, making her restless. She wanted him to move that hand—but in which direction, she could not decide.
“There is an advanced exercise which may help us get more into character,” he explained. “Shall we attempt it?”
“By all means,” Alice agreed. “I am always in favor of professional development.”
“Are you sure? It will go against Regulation 32. And possibly Regulation 17 also.”
Alice frowned in bemusement. “ ‘No forward reconnaissance into closed-off spaces without first advising headquarters of your intentions’?”
“Hm.”
“Well, Mr. Bixby, regulations exist for a good reason and ought to be respected. Nevertheless, these are exceptional circumstances. I authorize you to proceed at will.”
She felt proud of these words. She admired their straightforward vigor in much the same manner she might admire a jolly good Marmite sandwich. Not one single tremble or high-pitched vowel existed anywhere amongst them.
Her heart, however, represented nothing more than jam dolloped haphazardly atop a crumpet. If Daniel ever realized how smitten she was with him—how deeply vulnerable she really felt—he’d be appalled.
“Very well,” he said, and kissed her.
It was a tender kiss, softening her lips, soothing her nerves. She returned it in the way she remembered from their earlier practice until slowly, delightfully, theory dissolved, leaving only pleasure. Reaching up, she stroked fingers through his hair and down along the strong curve of his jaw. She had never touched another person like this, never known it was possible to feel tingling enjoyment rather than discomfort in doing so. Just as soon as he stopped kissing her (hopefully many long minutes from now), she would assure him that his advanced exercise was a great success.
And then he began to lift her nightgown.
Good heavens, she was about to be utterly exposed! This was hooliganism at its most outrageous! Agent B would see her drawers!
