Just then, Simon turns his hand up and Theo nuzzles into his palm. He leans down to whisper something near his ear, and I’m intensely curious to know what he said. When he sits back up, Theo is calmer than he’s been all night, seeming content beyond reason as he rests his head in Simon’s hand.
I’m riveted by the encounter, so much so that Simon then asks, “Would you like me to teach you how to calm him?”
I sit up at his question, hoping I look more intellectually interested than ogling.
“All right,” I answer, nudging a little closer.
Simon adjusts his body so that he’s sitting beside me. Our dynamic feels more intimate now, but I refuse to make things weird. Or to look at him. If I don’t look at him, I won’t make things weird.
“With dogs, especially smaller dogs, I bring myself to their level, and I keep my hand open and relaxed.”
He leans in a little toward Theo, and I do the same, switching my stance so that my legs are tucked underneath me.
“I also keep my voice low, so as not to startle them, despite how happy I am to see them.” He keeps his eyes trained on Theo and speaks again, his tone lulling and gravelly. “Easy there, now. You’re safe here.”
I’m more affected by his voice than Theo is. I don’t know if I want Simon to guide me into a meditation or into an orgasm—except for the fact that I would definitely pick the orgasm.
“Once they’ve calmed, I make sure my touch gentle. Approaching overhead can be intimidating.” I crane my neck to look at him and find his eyes already on me. “Sometimes under the chin is better.”
I don’t move. I don’t breathe. My skin is vibrating, but I’m perfectly still as Simon slowly runs the tip of his fingers under my chin, tilting my head up and holding my heated gaze with his.
“I don’t feel very calm,” I tell him, my voice shaking along the way.
Simon’s jaw softens as his eyes flick to my mouth. “Nor do I.”
He starts lean in. I let out an uneven exhale, and he’s close enough to feel it. My insides are swirling as I lean in, too. His nose brushes mine. I close my eyes. This is about to fucking happen.
And then Theo starts to bark.
Really, really loudly.
We turn toward the noise, our movements abrupt and awkward. Theo is barking into the darkness, and my heart stops as I pray that he’s not sensing someone nearby. If anyone just saw us, I’d be dead—literally. I jump to my feet before I can self-sabotage my lifeandCatherine’s life any further than I almost just did.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter. “That was all me. I apologize.”
Simon stands a split second after me, his eyes hazy and his cheeks red. “No. The fault was mine.”
“It’s no one’s fault,” I tell him. “Everything’s fine. You’re good. I’m good. Theo’s good. We’re all good.”
But are we good? My unsteady heartbeat suggests I’m in the early stages of cardiac arrest, and come to think of it, I’m fine with that. I can’t marry the king tomorrow if I drop dead here and now.
“I should escort you inside,” Simon says.
But I’m already in motion, scooping up Theo and moving in the direction of the palace before walking backward to face him. “I can find my way. Thank you for tonight. For hanging out with me, I mean.”
Simon’s brow furrows. “‘Hanging out’?”
I stop walking. “Never mind. I’m rambling. I had a head injury recently, as you know. You were present for part of it. So if you hear me using strange sayings or words like ‘hanging out,’ that’s why.” He only continues to look at me. I hold Theo to my chest like a security blanket. “I’m going to go now. Have a good night.”
“Good night, Lady Catherine.”
I try to walk away, but my feet don’t move, deciding instead to hold me hostage. “Since you keep calling me Lady Catherine, does that mean you want me to call you Lord Gainsford? I will if you want me to.”
“No,” he says with a little shake of his head. “I like to hear you say my name.”
Holy. Shit.
“Then you should probably start calling me just Catherine.”
