A mulish look darkened Pearl’s features. “They’re also captivating.”
“Right.” Hiding her grin, she tipped her glass at her friend. “I’ll get right on that.”
“Theyarecaptivating.”
“Sure they are.”
“Theyare.”
“I believe you.”
Pearl scowled. “You know, you can be such a—”
A knock sounded at the door, a hesitant sound followed in quick succession by two louder knocks, and a final knock that sounded a flourish more than anything else.
Alice’s heart sped, so fast it seemed it would leap from her chest. Pearl had distracted her, it was true. For more than a moment, she had strung two thoughts together, and neither of them contained Llewellyn. However, with that knock, the little sense she’d gathered left her.
Llewellyn was here.
As if it had never left, excitement and desire coursed through her. Every night for nine nights she’d experienced this pull, this passion for him. She couldn’t wait to see him, to talk with him, to tease him, and to take him.
He was here. He was here, and she couldn’t wait to taste him again.
“Are you going to let whoever that is in?”
She jumped. Damn it, she had forgottenPearlwas here also. How was it Llewellyn could wipe all thought from her mind?
“’Course I am.” Pushing back from her chair, she made her way to the door, hoping her excitement wasn’t as obvious as it felt. Turning the handle, she swung the door open to reveal Llewellyn on the other side, a glorious smile wreathing his face.
Heat flashed through her, and she wanted to launch herself at him. She wanted to feel him, feel his arms encase her, and his lips against hers as they kissed their hello.
But Pearl was here.
His brow creased slightly, and somehow he read a whole story from her expression in the time between one moment and the next.
Consternation knit her own brow. She wasn’t certain if she was glad he could figure her so well.
His gaze slid past her, lit upon Pearl. Returning to her, his glorious smile turned empty-headed. “Mrs Reynolds, what a delight to see you! I was only remarking earlier I have been in absolute want of your company, and thus I attended such a need as soon as was humanely possible!”
She stepped aside. “So I see. Please enter, and we’ll see if we can remedy your need.”
Heat flared in his eyes at her words, though she was the only one to see it. With another dazzling smile, he swept past her to enter the office. “I do believe it has been over a day since last I renewed my offer on this delightful saloon, and so I hurried over to make sure you knew my interest in your property has not waned. Indeed, if anything, it has intensified!”
Spying Pearl, he bounded over to her, grabbing her hand and raising it to his lips. “Miss Pearl, what a delight to see you as well! My word, it has beenquitethe evening for me. Two lovely ladies, and I’ve had to do so little! A glorious happenstance!”
Still at the door, Alice maintained her composure, but it was hard in light of his exaggerated idiocy. Damn, he was good at his pretence. A slight shadow darkened her amusement. As good as he was, she still had no notion as towhyhe needed it.
Pearl, meanwhile, seemed a bit taken aback by his exuberance. “A pleasure to see you again, Mr Llewellyn. Why, I reckon it’s been every night this week we’ve seen you...” Almost like the sun rising in the east, some kind of comprehension dawned over her face. Sliding her gaze to Alice, she grinned—all maniacal-like, in Alice’s opinion.
Hastily, she strode to Pearl. Whatever her friend thought she knew, she could keep it to her own damn self. “Wasn’t there something you had to do?”
Pearl’s grin intensified. “No. No, there ain’t.”
Goddamn it. Pearlknew.She had worked out in her head Alice and Llewellyn were keeping company, and now nothing would budge her. If there was one thing her friend delighted in, it was being all annoying and contrary when she should just leave well enough alone andgo away.
She crossed her arms. “Yes, there is. Go do it.”
Still grinning, Pearl just sat there, ignoring any glare directed at her.
