AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Philip tried to relax. “I am sorry.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Thanks, but no.” His hand raked his sleek dark hair. “It’s…”
“Complicated.” His friend helped. “I know. If you need something, I’ll be right here.”
“You’re a good friend, Darius!” He patted the shorter man on his shoulder.
Cumberbridge nodded and they went on talking about other things.
The music had just started and Selene looked enchanted at the couples on the dance floor. She wished she could dance. She missed it a lot. As if reading her thoughts, a footman approached with a folded message. “Meet me in the gallery. P” Oh, dear! Should she go? A risk, undeniably. But the last time he did this, she’d enjoyed dancing with him so sinfully much! What came after the dance…her body warmed with the memory. She stopped thinking and simply headed to the gallery.
There was no light in the deserted gallery except for the silvery moonlight falling on the paintings and statues lining the walls. Philip came out from behind a Greek statue.
“I always see you covet the dance.” His rich velvet voice sounded in the dimness. “I can’t help but try to give a little of it to you.”
She looked at his tall, strong figure. Thoughtful of him, strange as it might be. “I-Thank you.” She managed. The sight of him so temptingly unsettling.
He smiled faintly. “The only disadvantage is that you can have no other partners.” He caught her hand and gently pulled her to him.
Their eyes locked, they positioned for the waltz. “I want no other partner.” She breathed as his arm circled her.
“Good, because I’d allow none anyway.” His head bent near hers, rich velvet voice in her ear felt like pure tantalization.
“You scoundrel.” Her murmur a jest rather than a reprimand.
He chuckled lightly, his breath caressing her throat. He pressed her against him and they gave themselves to the dance. It involved the two of them in a sublime mist and they stepped into a world solely theirs. They twirled in the moonlight totally absorbed in each other.
“My moon goddess.” Philip muttered in her ear and she gave in to the temptation of merging her fingers in his hair. “Hm, I like when you do that. I feel wanted.”
As if there could be any doubt, Selene thought dazed. She allowed her body to lean on him and let him take her wherever he wanted. He did, making them both breathless.
She gazed at him, their eyes diving in each other. Time stopped. Their dance stopped, their breaths mingled in the air. She stood on the tip of her toes and kissed him, waltz forgotten. He let her explore his thin sensuous lips. She delighted in them, the shape, the texture, the champagne smell. She savoured him as if this was their first kiss.
“Philip.” She breathed softly against his mouth.
He could hold it no more. He turned the kiss around, diving in her seductively. This wasn’t a carnal kiss, their hunger kept in check. He kissed her as if their souls had finally met. Their bodies the vehicle for their feelings, their emotions. It came full of rapture, surrender, contentment. Elation. Their very beings merged in that ethereal kiss in the moonlight. She held his shoulders for fear of fluctuating. He held her with such enchantment and reverence; one might think her precious to him.
A flash of light in the dark.
“There they are!” Someone shouted, holding a candelabra.
Philip let go of Selene immediately but it was too late. Charles and Travis stood there, the candles tinting their drunk faces.
Darius appeared right behind. “I tried to stop them!”
Philip stared at him in silent gratitude, while the gallery filled with people attracted by the shouting. It seemed scandal had just hit them. He posted himself in front of Selene to shield her from the prying eyes.
“You couldn’t keep your paws off her, could you, Crompton!” Charles slurred vulgarly.
Rockfield glared at him, his impulse to thrash the gambling-addict to a pulp. He vaguely realised some matrons gathering around them.
“I’ll talk to you later, Eastwell.” Threat dripping from his stance.
Charles acquired a greyish colour, not able to disguise the fear in his eyes. “Good, there’s a marriage contract to sign!” He boasted
“She’s still in mourning!” A matron interposed behind her fan.
