Page 16 of Air Affair

“Oh, I definitely don’t deserve you. Listen, let me see you safely to wherever it is you’re going. You look like you need a friend.”

She chuckled through her tears. “And now you’re a friend?”

“I am if you’ll let me be.” His face was earnest, but his eyes sparked with something more.

Rory exhaled. Of all the reasons to find herself alone with him, why did it have to be this?

“I don’t know what’s gotten into me,” she said, straightening her shoulders and patting her skirt and hair. Edward could rot in hell for all she cared.

“Come on, princess,” he said, standing and offering his hand. “I solemnly swear I won’t lay a hand on you.” There was that penetrating look again, as if he understood her all too well. She wanted to look away, but she was hooked, caught.

Draining her glass, she dug out some change from her purse to pay for her drink.

“Aw, princess, let me get that for you,” he said, frowning at the money she just laid on the table and reaching for his wallet.

“No, no. That’s quite all right. Look! I’ve already taken care of it.” The waiter whisked by and picked up the payment. Rory sighed with relief. While she wanted to trust Hank, she didn’t know what his expectations might be if she let him pay. It was probably best if she kept a bit of distance, even if a wayward part of her craved just the opposite.

Nonetheless, she let him take her hand and lead her out without resistance while he flagged down a cab.

“Hotel Monaco,” she directed the driver.

Sitting in the back of the cab, she could feel the heat radiating from Hank. His arm just barely brushed against her own.

“You really aren’t going to lay a hand on me?” she said, trying to ignore the coiling warmth at her core caused by his proximity.

His eyes smoldered. “You’re angry at someone else. Distracted. It wouldn’t be right.”

But he wanted her. She was sure of it. At least someone did.

The magnetic pull of his proximity drew her closer, closer… Her eyes flicked to his lips. He held her gaze but kept his distance, placing a gentle hand on hers and shaking his head slowly.

She must look a fright after crying. He must be horrified.

“I’m sorry you’re seeing me like this,” she said, unable to pull away from his penetrating gaze.

“I’m glad I was there to help. No one deserves to be treated like that. If he can’t see what he has in you, then he’s a fool.”

What would it be like to be loved and cherished by someone like Hank? Not that she should engage in such a maudlin train of thought. But there was something about him that made her want to crawl into his protective embrace and never come out. Whoever won his heart would be a very lucky woman indeed.

Sadly, that woman would never be her.

Looking away, she laughed ruefully. “No, I’m the fool for thinking I could go through with this marriage without tears. Edward is a pig, and I shouldn’t have expected anything better.”

“Of course, you should expect better.”

She shook her head and laughed ruefully. “Nice men don’t want to marry fallen women.” She caught his gaze and held it, wondering how he would react. “I’m sure you’ve heard about my scandal. Everyone else in New York has.”

He smiled and shrugged. “You’re not fallen for doing what men and women have done together from the beginning of time.” What a dear he was! If only more men took that perspective, her life might not have been so miserable at the moment.

“You should see what the gossip rags write about me. ‘Fallen’ is the least of it. Did you know my father didn’t think he’d ever be able to marry off a misfit like me? It’s truly stunning the amount of money he offered Edward to take me off his hands.” She caught Hank’s eye again and leaned in. “You should stay away from me, you know. I’m nothing but trouble. Everyone says so.”

The corner of his mouth twitched up into a mischievous half smile. “And what if I like trouble?”

My God, this man and the things he makes me want to do.

Of course, that was the moment the cab ground to a halt in front of her hotel. How did they get there so quickly? As she was about to say good night and open the door, he took her hand. She sat there frozen and gaping as he raised it to his lips and kissed her fingers. It was so polite and yet so intimate. She’d never felt so much from such a subtle touch.

“Are you busy tomorrow morning?” she found herself asking. What was she doing? No good could come of seeing more of this man, especially here in D.C. with Edward so nearby. There was a decent chance Edward would come back to find her and talk things out in the morning. Though maybe that was why she was asking. If she had to face Edward, she wanted backup.