“Nothing. It’s just...” He shook his head. “We are pretendingthis is a normal morning, a normal visit, and you didn’t just bringme off on the chaise upon which you sit.”
“Bring you off? Is that what it’s called?”
“Among other things.” He watched her pour the tea, her colourstill high. “Sera?”
“Yes?”
“Ilike you.”
The teapotstilled. “You do?” she asked, her gaze on the cup.
Smile tiltingthe corner of his mouth, he nodded. She looked flustered, andclearly didn’t know what to say. “If we didn’t have the bet, wouldyou ...that is...” Christ, his collar felt too tight.
Looking up, widegrey eyes locked on his. “Would I...”
“Would you be amenable to...” He cleared his throat. “Perhapsthe wager doesn’t have to be the end of things.”
“Oh?”
“Perhaps we could continue.”
“Perhaps.”
“Andperhaps we could...”
“Yes?”
“Itcould be a courtship. A real one. If you wanted.” Christ, it washot in here. Was it hot in here?
Biting her lip,her gaze searched his. “Do you want?”
“I—do.”
“Well. I do, too.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
They stared ateach other.
Finally, cheekspink, she stood to bring him the tea. Watching her every step, hetook the cup from her and carefully set it on the low table beforethem. Then, he caught her wrist and tugged. She fell into his lapwith a gasp as he curved his arm around her back, settling heragainst him.
Raising a brow,she said archly, “I thought you didn’t want me near you. Yourwords, I believe, indicated I was dangerous.”
He couldn’t stophis grin. “I got lonely.”
She snuggled into him, her hand stroking his chest. He played with her hair. Timeslipped by, the clock on the mantle keeping it but neither of themnoticing.
“Idon’t want to go,” he finally confessed.
She laced herfingers in his. “Then don’t.”
“Ihave to go to my brother’s.”
Attention stillon his fingers, her brow creased. “Why?”
“Weneed funds. I must pretend to once again be the careless, wastrelspendthrift.”
