Something crossed his expression, something dark and wanting, before they returned to their usual warmth.“I think the day after next.”
“Why the delay?Should we not arrange it for tomorrow?”
“I have plans tomorrow, El.”
She gasped.“I beg your pardon?How dare you have plans that do not involve me?”
The corner of his mouth twitched.“I am the worst sort of friend,” he said solemnly.
“As long as you acknowledge it.”She tossed her head.“Fine.I expect I can find it within myself to forgive you.However, know it is under sufferance, and I am quite put out with you for making me weight two whole days.”
“That is very kind of you,” he said.
“I know.”
He laughed, and she grinned, and then the lemonade and cake arrived and the fizz in her stomach was because of the lemonade and not because she had made him smile.
Chapter Six
BenedictstoodinEl’sentrance hall, resisting the urge to fidget.Simmons had departed not a moment ago to inform El of his presence, and the disquiet that currently plagued him was utterly ridiculous.He’d visited El hundreds—thousands—of times, but it had never before been so he could teach her of seduction.
As he’d promised her, it had been two days since their last lesson and he’d needed every minute of it to get his head—and other body parts—correct.He’d not known when offering himself as her tutor he would become lost in the lesson, the line between real and instruction becoming blurred.He’d reminded himself El was his friend and she trusted him, so if his body reacted to the lure of a beautiful woman, he needed at all times to remember that woman was El.His El.The one person he never, ever wanted to lose, because he did not think he would do at all well without her.
He heard footsteps slapping the parquetry and then El rushed into the hallway, a glorious smile on her face.His heart skipped before beginning throwing itself against his ribs.Christ, calm down, man.What had he just said to himself?She’s yourfriend.
Coming to a halt before him, she took his hand.Her fingers were warm and delicate curled around his.“Come with me,” she demanded.
He let her tug him forward.“You are acting like Gregory.”
“I have waited two whole days, Benedict.You are fortunate I do not wrench your arm from your shoulder.”
He laughed at that, but then she always made him laugh.“Where are we to, by the by?Are we not to your drawing room?”
“Not today.”She led him up the stairs and down the corridor, away from the drawing room they usually occupied.Halting in front of a door, she opened it and ushered him inside.“Voila,” she said with a flourish.
He looked about and then raised a brow at her.“Why are we in the library, El?”
“Because,” she said.
“Ah, yes.That age old reason.”
“Because,” she stressed.“Assignations often happen in places like libraries.Everyone knows that.”
“Oh?Everyone?”
“Yes.Do not be obtuse.”
He smirked, she rolled her eyes, and it was always as it had ever been.He and El against the world.“So why are we here?”
Turning her cheek, she bit her lip and tilted her head.Like a magnet, his gaze was drawn to the elegant line of her neck, the delicate cord standing in relief.Two days ago, he’d been tempted to trace the length of it with his tongue until she moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair as he sucked her silky flesh.Her light, flowery scent would wind about him and he’d growl, his cock hardening as he drew her closer and—
“Benedict?”
He jerked his gaze to hers.Brow creased, El regarded him in perplexion.
Heat rushed into his cheeks.“Apologies, El.My mind wandered.”Christ, he couldn’t allow his mind to wander inthatdirection.Not again.Not ever.He’d spent the last few days getting his head in order so itwould notwander.He would not allow it to become undone again.
Nodding, she said, “I should like to discuss something different, if you please.”
