I leaned closer and wondered if my face was as red as I imagined it would be.
“Perfect,” he said. “That closeness signals trust and interest.”
The chain between us shifted as he stepped back,breaking the moment. “Hand placement next,” he said rather briskly. “Holding hands can mean many things.”
He let his fingers brush against mine, so quickly that I barely realized. “This signals curiosity and is a good way to gauge mutual interest.” He adjusted so he could squeeze my hand. “When you apply a little pressure, it signals reassurance and comfort.”
He interlaced our fingers, and I marveled how well they fit together. “This shows commitment.”
“How did you learn all this?” I asked. “Have you been with many women?”
He traced his thumb in circles on my palm. “No,” he finally admitted. “Before I started taking the Stillheart every day, I craved companionship. I thought if I studied the science behind romance enough, it would come to me.”
“Sounds like it wasn’t enough.”
His eyes skated across my face. “Rumor has it that in order to attract a companion, one must leave their quarters and socialize. I learned all the rules of courtship but never found time to put them into practice.”
Silence stretched between us, charged and fragile.
“I’m glad you’re willing to teach me,” I said softly.
“Do you have any questions?” Zafir asked, still holding my hand.
“What if Julian wants more than holding hands?” I asked.
Zafir’s gaze tightened before he masked it. “Then you decide whether more would serve our purpose. If it doesn’t, you pull away and politely remind him that anticipation is more powerful than instant satisfaction. Men don’t value what they get too easily.”
I searched his face. “And what if he pushes for more?”
“Then give me a signal and I’ll strangle him for you. I’llbe right there watching, remember?” Zafir’s hand tightened around mine before he seemed to realize our fingers were still interlaced. He released me at once. “In all seriousness though, if a man pushes for more when a woman says no, he’s not worth your time.”
“And what if,” I ventured, “I don’twantto pull away? What if I’m the one who wants more?”
Zafir looked at me and his composure slipped. “Then,” he said quietly, “you’d better be very certain you want who you’re choosing, and just keep giving the right signals.”
I couldn’t resist asking, “What sort of signals? What should I do?”
Zafir hooked his fingers behind my ears so they grazed the back of my neck. “Something like this,” he whispered. “Look at me.”
I stared up into his black eyes, trying to ignore how my heart had begun to thump madly at my ribs. The lesson suddenly felt far from theoretical. If only I hated him without any other confusing feelings muddled into the mix. This was the man who had helped my sister when she was scared, the man who didn’t even bat an eye at my stealing his potions and drugging him with infatuation elixir. He was helping me deceive all of Parliament at great risk to his own personal career. I knew it was so he could gain access to the lamp but also…he understood me.
“If you want to successfully seduce a man, it’s all in the eyes. Alternate your gaze between his eyes and his mouth so he knows you are interested.” His voice dropped so low that it vibrated in my chest. “Remember what I said before about eye contact and copy me.” Zafir studied my lips, then glanced up, as if begging permission to kiss me.
I became convinced on the spot that Zafir was much too good at the art of seduction.
“Am I doing it right?” I asked, switching my gaze between Zafir’s penetrating dark eyes and his thin lips, lingering longer and longer on the latter. What would they feel like against my own?
“Perfectly. Make sure to use your hands. Touch his chest. Men love that.”
My palms snuck up to where I could feel Zafir’s firm chest.
“You know,” I told Zafir quietly, “I’m guessing you ought to put your hand on my waist. If you don’t move, our arms might get tangled up.”
Zafir complied, snaking one of his hands around my waist and tugging me closer. “Now lean forward a little more. When a woman tilts her face up, she’s showing the man her willingness and interest.”
He was so close that I could feel his warm breath swirling across my collarbones.
“I would assume if a woman is already this close, the man would already be well aware of her willingness and interest,” I told Zafir, keeping my head exactly where it was.
