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The guards exchanged a glance, and then finally one of them opened the door and let them out.

Beatrice filled her lungs with air as soon as they stepped out, her hand propping the watch against her thigh through her gown.

“What’s wrong?” Adam asked, his brows furrowed in worry.

“Nothing. Just… hurry.”

He took her arm, and they both rushed toward their carriage several feet away.

Just as Adam opened the door of the carriage, there was a violent whistle and the sounds of commotion coming from the auction.

“Get in!” Adam practically shoved Beatrice inside, climbed after her, and rapped the roof of the carriage signaling for the driver to take them as far away as he could, as fast as he could.

It took them a few charged moments to realize that they were not being followed. Beatrice anxiously waited to hear the hoofbeats of the pursuers’ horses, and for the guards to catch up with them and strip them in order to uncover the theft.

But as time went on and that didn’t happen, she relaxed.

A soft chuckle sounded in the carriage, and Beatrice turned to Adam. He was looking at her with a gaze full of wonder. “I can’t believe we did that!”

Beatrice finally let down her guard and joined in the laughter. “Honestly? I can’t believe it either!”

She bent down, fumbling with her skirts, unsuccessfully trying to get to the watch. The carriage turned, and she skidded to the side, crashing against Adam’s body. He caught her against him and shook his head.

“You won’t get it like that. Here, stretch your legs over my lap.”

Beatrice swallowed but complied. She turned in her seat, throwing her legs over his knees. Adam tenderly cradled her legs before gently, with deliberate slowness, lifting the skirt of her gown.

His hands glided up her stockinged leg until he encountered his watch. Then his fingers traced the silver chain, tickling Beatrice’s skin. He swallowed before meeting her gaze. “It looks good on you.”

Beatrice let out a nervous chuckle. “Perhaps I should keep it then.”

He smiled but didn’t say anything. He simply unclasped the chain, cradled it in his hand, and brought it closer to his face to study it closely.

“Thank you for helping me get it back.”

She nodded and struggled to sit up.

Adam took her by the arms and pulled her up. Instead of setting her down on the seat next to him, however, he sat her on his lap and brushed a lock of hair away from her face. Then he slowly reached out and put his watch against her neck.

“What—?” She didn’t finish her question when he closed the clasp.

“I want you to have it.”

Her hand on the watch, she shook her head. “I can’t.”

“I wouldn’t have it back if it wasn’t for you. I want you to have it.”

“It’s a family heirloom,” she whispered, but he said nothing. He simply gazed into her eyes as if looking straight into her soul.

She licked her suddenly dry lips, and his eyes fell to her mouth.

Her chest started moving rapidly with the force of her breaths, the air between them crackling with tension.

As if drawn by an invisible power, Beatrice leaned in and kissed his lips.

The kiss started tender and slow but quickly turned into an all-consuming passion.

Beatrice could not get enough of his taste, his scent as she licked deep into the corners of his mouth.