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“I’ll be right there, and I can sing. Just follow me.” He winked, and her pulse fluttered.

“Easier said than done,” Aubriella muttered, still confused at the strange physical response he’d invoked.

“My dear Aubrie, when will you learn to trust me?”

His eyes darkened to sooty hazel blue, then he touched the back of her hand as he had done at dinner the other night. Such an innocent gesture, so why did tingles zip up her arm?

Aubriella slanted her head.

“Honestly? I have spent so long distrusting you, Jack, that I find it hard to lower my ramparts.”

Rather than mock her as was his wont, he gave a slow nod, his expression grave. “Let’s declare a truce for the house party. I shan’t tease you, and you won’t shut me out.”

It sounded so simple. Innocent. And logical, given he’d promised to help her.

So why did alarm bells toll in the back of her mind?

Regardless, what choice did Aubriella have?

“Agreed.” She pointed her forefinger and shook it. “But only for the house party’s duration, Jack. I cannot promise more.”

“That’s all the time I need.” His grin was positively feline as he dove into his breakfast once more.

What the devil did he mean by that?

It’s all the time he needs.

For what?