She was solemn. “I have no notion of what sort of man you are.”
No, he supposed she did not. And likely, it was for the best. He was not a kind man, nor was he gentle. Life had stolen all the softness from him. Dom could not seem to squelch the thought that this woman could bring it back. At least for a night.
“Nor do I,” he told her. “Now do enjoy the meal. My chef is dedicated to his art. He is also a Frenchman. If our plates return to the kitchens laden with food, he will refuse to cook for an entire sennight.”
His guest sent him a wan smile. “I would not wish for you to go hungry, sir.”
He nodded. “Then eat, angel.”
Chapter 4
Dinner passed in a blur.
Adele consumed enough from her plate at each course that her host’s chef would not take umbrage. She still found the notion of the formidable Dominic Winter wishing to please his own chef quite entertaining. It was a detail she would pack away in her mind and revisit later.
Tonight, too many other things weighed upon her.
Last, but certainly not least, the impending loss of her innocence.
“Angel?”
Adele eyed the bare hand outstretched to her, absent of gloves, the fingertips worn with calluses. They were not the hands of a gentleman. She thought again of the inked marking she had spied on his flesh. His palms were broad and unblemished save for the common lines bisecting it.
She hesitated to place her hand in his, however. Indeed, part of her was prepared to flee into the night. To shy away from her every intention. But the reminder of her beloved brother’s injuries returned, pointed and incapable of being ignored.
Along with it, this time, came the thought of this man’s lips upon her skin, his tongue flicking out to taste her flesh. She shivered.
“Do you intend to live up to your bargain, or shall you sit here all night, gazing into the ether?” he asked next, his tone cool.
If she had not known him better, she would say he was irritated.
But somehow, over their shared dinner, something had changed. Adele had witnessed a new side of him. A side that enabled her to believe Dominic Winter was not being an arrogant boor. Rather, he was afraid she had changed her mind.
She was a lady of her word. Regardless of the trepidation rising within her, she would keep her promise.
Adele settled her hand in his. “Of course I shall honor my word to you.”
His fingers laced through hers, his countenance betraying nothing of what he felt. “Good. Come with me.”
He did not ask or request. Dominic Winter was a man accustomed to giving orders and expecting those around him to follow. It was another unsettling observation. This evening, Adele was doing his bidding.
She had to.
But along with that knowledge came a shocking realization: shewantedto.
There was something thrilling about this man, this night, this place. All her life, she had tried to do what her mother and father had asked of her. She had learned skills she found uninteresting. She had donned dresses she deplored. She had done everything in her power to make them proud of her, to do them credit. Tonight, she was helping her brother, it was true. But if she were completely honest with herself, she would have to admit her actions were not entirely altruistic.
No, indeed.
She was here in this moment, allowing Dominic Winter—handsome, dangerous, undisputed king of London’s underworld—to lead her to his chamber. And she was doing it because she wanted his touch. Because she longed for his kisses. He intrigued her. He also terrified her in equal measure.
In silence, they passed through darkened halls, then up a staircase. Until at last, they reached a closed door. Using a key he held in his left hand, he unlocked the portal, then tugged her over the threshold with their linked fingers.
And then, she realized where they were. In the same chamber where he had taken her the day before when she had swooned. A chamber with a bed.Hisbed.
Her entire body went hot, from head to toe.
Why did he have to be so handsome? She tugged free of his hold and wandered deeper into dangerous territory, seeking to put distance between herself and Dominic Winter and failing utterly.
