“I wouldn’t say that,” she said, closing the door behind her and stepping into the room. The low table next to the sofa was littered with empty bottles and her heart sank as she lifted one to read the label. She released a relieved chuckle. “Sparkling water?”
He shrugged, still not facing her. “I’m trying to do better.”
Ellie crossed the room in quick strides, putting her hand on his shoulder and turning him to face her. “I know you are. There’s no reason to be upset, not because of me.”
His eyes were dark, nearly black, and haunted. “Why didn’t you tell me what Ashby was doing to you?”
She set her jaw. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
“But you expected me somehow to know you needed me?”
Her eyes widened. “That’s not fair.”
“You’re holding me accountable for something I didn’t do, but how was I supposed to know if you weren’t honest with me?”
“Was I to expect you’d even care?” Her voice shook as she pressed a finger into his chest. “As soon as I left your sight, I left your mind, but Ineverstopped thinking about you.”
Henry pinched the bridge of his nose and turned away again, but Ellie followed him. “Where did you go, Henry? Where were you when I wrote to you, when I asked for your company? When you ignored my letters, where were you?”
“I was—” He bit his lip and exhaled harshly. “I’m not a strong man, El,” he managed. “I have this… darkness that follows me sometimes. It wants to swallow me whole, and it takes everything I have to fight it.” He met her gaze, and her heart shattered at the pain in his expression. “I didn’t want to drag you down into it with me.”
“Henry, I didn’t know.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, emboldened to stake her claim on him, to demand a piece of him for herself. “I wish you had told me.”
“El, you have no idea,” he said, burying his head in her hair and inhaling, as though her scent calmed him. “The times I was with you were perfect. You made me forget the darkness and want to live for the light.”
“Have you spoken to anyone about this?” Ellie stroked her palm down his back. “There are doctors in London, talking doctors who can help—”
“I don’t want to talk to anyone,” he said, his spine stiffening under her touch.
She pulled back and scowled up at him. “But if you’re unhappy—”
“I’m not unhappy,” he snapped, stepping out of her arms and pacing into his bedroom. When he didn’t shut the door, she followed, closing them in. He lit a gasolier, casting a warm, preternatural glow over the room. He was shadows and light, dangerous and beautiful, barely constrained power as he fixed her with his potent gaze.
“I don’t want to talk about this, Ellie. Not now, not when our time is running out here. I want to be with you.”
His growled words sent heat pulsing through her, but she shook her head. “Henry, please be honest with me.”
When he met her gaze, his dark eyes were molten. “Is honesty what you want, Ellie? Fine, I’ll be honest.” Henry stepped towards her with patient steps, like an animal prowling. “I honestly want you. The thought of your body has haunted my dreams, and I can’t stand being away from you. I honestly want to wipe the memories of that bastard’s hands on you out of your mind and replace them with my hands, my mouth, my cock.” His eyes blazed, sweeping over her like a starving man. “I honestly want to make you scream my name, to fill this room with the filthy sounds you’ll make when you come for me. How is that, Eleanor? Is that honest enough for you?”
His words pushed all the air from her lungs. “Henry, am I really what you want?”
Her eyes skimmed over his body, lean and long, commanding the space. How was she not aware of his size before, how heloomedover her. He held her gaze as his fingers danced over the remaining buttons of his shirt, discarding the clothing with the practiced grace of a dancer executing a pirouette.
“Yes, El,” he rasped. “You make me happy.Thiswould make me happy.”
Ellie swallowed hard as she took him in, his broad shoulders banded with lean muscle, the light sprinkling of dark hair over his chest that thickened as it approached his trousers and dipped out of sight. How could she possibly be sharing this room, thismoment, with such a man?
“You’re beautiful,” she breathed, her face heating.
He shook his head, stepping closer and dragging his knuckles over the curve of her jaw. “Undress for me, Ellie.” His voice was low, like the distant rumble of thunder, and it echoed in her bones, directing her fingers to move before her mind could make meaning of his words. First, she removed her jacket and blouse with careful fingers. Her skirt fell in a heap at her ankles, then her petticoat. Her stockings and garters, then her corset and drawers.
Henry watched each item make its descent, the heat building in his eyes until they burned as her trembling hands stumbled over her clothing. When she had cast aside everything and stood in just her chemise, Henry stepped forward, his hands curving around her waist then descending, skimming her thighs until reaching the hem of her shift.
“Don’t,” Ellie said, placing her palms over his.
Henry dropped his forehead to hers. “I’ll never press you, but…” He released a shaky breath. “I want to see you, all of you.”
His words danced through her mind, momentarily silencing all of her internal critics. But the words were not strong enough. “Not tonight,” she whispered.
