“My dear, you are crying.” Corliss patted my shoulder.
“Young ladies are very sensitive to performances,” Lord Adger observed.
I was instantly ashamed of my feelings and lowered my gaze.
“Please allow me.” Corliss carefully patted my cheek with her handkerchief.
I could not help myself, I glanced at Kent, who leaned against the wall, his eyes hidden in the shadows.
After one particularly dramatic scene, the curtains were drawn and the servants walked around lighting more lamps in the space below us.
“It is an intermission which will last for half an hour.” Corliss informed me.
Lord Adger was already up and had moved to the exit.
“My child, would you like to walk around?”
“No, thank you. I’d rather stay.”
“As you wish.” Corliss motioned to the sentry to close the velvet drapes. Then she took Lord Adger’s arm and they left the loge, leaving me alone with my guard.
I fidgeted with the silk gloves I held in my hand as Kent moved to secure the balcony. But he ignored me, and immediately returned to his post. My thoughts instantlyrepeated the last words I spoke to him when we argued the day before.
This is ridiculous! Why did he have to be so stubborn?
Not being able to stay in my chair any longer, I stood up and moved away from the seats. As I turned toward the exit, I could not stop myself, and glanced at him. What I saw in his face rooted me to the spot. His eyes, so immensely dark and expressive, the danger and vulnerability I saw in them made me feel things I did not know I was able to feel. There was no denying it any longer. I wanted him, when he was brooding and distant, when he was cold and unreachable, even when his anger was directed at me. I still wanted him.
I bit my lip and forced myself to take another step. I was just inches away from the door, but I hesitated, and we just stared at each other. Right when I was about to move past him, his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.
His mouth trailed down the skin below my ear, and I had to grab onto his shoulders as the rush of hot blood flooded my head, coloring my cheeks, making me desperate for every touch. The feeling of belonging to him with my body and soul and owning every piece of him in return, was more dangerous than the most deadly poison. Just being alone with him, secluded from the prying eyes of the crowd, undid every resolution I had promised to myself.
“Someone might see us,” I whispered, nearly dying from the raw pleasure coursing through my veins.
“I’ll kill anyone who walks in.” His hands were on my waist, sliding down to my hips.
“You wouldn’t.” I gasped when he lifted me onto the tips of my toes, pressing me against his hard, firm body.
He did not respond because his unbearably hot lips slid down my neck, burning my skin, making my body wild and shaky. His powerful thigh slid between my legs and I bit my lip without feeling any pain.
“We can’t do this. This is madness.” I breathed into his lips.
“Last chance to stop me.” His eyes locked with mine.
Contrary to what I was saying, I leaned more toward him, almost in a daze. Our lips touched and a raw, unrefined pleasure, mixed with the taste of sugar and cinnamon on his lips, made me press harder against his body. He kissed me gently, forcing me to lift my head higher, allowing him to explore my mouth. Our tongues intertwined and the searing heat traveled down my body, melting my bones, and undoing every remaining coherent thought.
“Gods!”
The next moment his hands were in my hair, cupping my cheeks, the back of my neck, but I had already crossed the line and wanted more. I lifted my hips and I moved against his body.
“Fuck,” he exhaled against my lips.
That was still not enough. I had to know if he felt the same way I did. Without realizing what I was doing, I reached down and pressed my hand against his hardened length.
“Alina.”
“Do you like this?”
“Stop.”
