“We have time.” He stopped touching her, and she nearly begged him not to.
The tingle intensified and became an insistent pulse that turned into a nagging feeling. She wanted him to kiss and touch her. Her whole focus was on the sensations he might give her.
That wasn’t how she’d expected the night to go. She’d thought he would have bedded her, and then she would have looked forward to leaving him and forgetting about the whole thing.
Her wishing to be touched and kissed by him hadn’t been an option.
She sipped the tea not to say something she might regret, and the tea was indeed excellent. Her head cleared, too.
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes. I’m afraid tomorrow I’ll have a terrible headache.” A breeze cooled her skin, making her shiver.
“No, you won’t. Drink plenty of tea, and you’ll be fine.” He stood up and gave her his hand. “You should go home.”
She didn’t want to go home. How confusing. She took his hand, and together they walked back to the balcony.
“Don’t your feet hurt?” He held the door for her.
“No. I have strong feet.” She wiped her feet on the rug before putting her slippers on.
He was gallant enough to help her don her capelet. “Are you warm enough?”
“It’s a bit chilly. But I don’t mind. It helps with my head.”
“I’ll hail a cab for you.” He escorted her downstairs and to the street.
No servant was around, as he’d promised. He helped her into the cab, his sapphire eyes capturing hers. They no longer were cold or distant but ablaze with care and longing, and she felt their warmth.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” she asked, sitting in the cab.
He sucked in a breath and parted his lips, but then he shook his head. “Good night.”
“You can tell me anything.” She meant it.
His sad smile returned, and for some reason, it pained her. “Get warm and sleep well.”
She kept staring at him as the cab drove on. He stood on the pavement, engulfed by the shadows, but she could swear his eyes were glowing.
