“Something entertaining?”
Guilty, I jumped but attempted to hide it by planting my arms on my knees and smiling up at her. “What? Uh…”
Her smile said she understood. I wanted to tell her there was nothing to understand. I was just taking a leisurely break, resting my legs. I absolutely was not spying on Knox.
“Knox has requested you join him for dinner. Just the two of you.”
“Me?”
Her laugh was soft. “Yes, you. Don’t sound so surprised.”
But I was surprised. Why on earth would Knox want to have dinner with me?
“I’ll come by your room at six,” she informed me, patting me on the shoulder. “Assist you in getting ready.”
I nodded, not sure how to respond.
I was so focused on her, I didn’t catch the sound of footsteps approaching. It wasn’t until Hannah’s gaze shot past me, widening before her expression sobered, that I turned to see Knox ascending the stairs.
How was it possible that a man could look both aristocratic and deadly at the same time?
Instantly I was on my feet, backing up a few steps to get out of his way, hoping he wouldn’t realize the reason I’d been sitting there was so that I could stare at him.
I forced a smile as he made his way to the top.
“Emily,” he acknowledged, his deep voice sending a chill dancing down my spine.
I nodded in greeting but continued to back up, hoping Hannah would save me from having to have a conversation with him.
“Going somewhere?” he prompted, moving when I did.
I glanced over my shoulder, seeking Hannah’s assistance, only to realize she was gone. I turned and stared down the empty hallway, confused. Where had she gone? She’d beenright there.
“Em?”
This time his voice was even closer, that rough baritone resounding near my ear.
I turned to face him, which was my first mistake. I’d known he was close, but I hadn’t realized he was nearly pressed up against me. His nearness caused me to stumble sideways, my shoulder bumping the wall. I opened my mouth to come up with an excuse but closed it just as quickly when nothing came to me. What could I possibly say?
His green eyes glittered with what I could only assume was amusement even as my cheeks heated from embarrassment.
When he didn’t speak, I felt the absurd need to fill the silence. Anything to get out from underneath that heated stare.
“I was on my way to my room.”
“Were you?” The way he asked it was as though daring me to lie to him.
I shot him a smile that I hoped looked innocent. “Yes.”
His eyes narrowed as he took another step closer, now invading my personal space, the warmth of his body and the rich spice of his cologne enough to make my head spin and my knees go mushy.
As though just realizing the situation, Knox glanced to his left, down the stairs, then back to me. When he looked back at me, there was a hint of concern in his gaze. “Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?”
My cheeks warmed even more and I hoped the blush wasn’t as vibrant as it felt. He’d busted me too easily and I knew lying would get me nowhere.
“I couldn’t hear anything.” My voice was raspier than I’d hoped.
His countenance relaxed. “But you were trying?”
