The genuine surprise on her face was maddening. Did she really not understand the effect she had on him? One caress from her and he had spent in his trousers, for God’s sake.
“I can’t stop thinking about the other night. In your office,” he added, just to make it perfectly clear.
“Oh,” she repeated and turned back to the stage.
Was that a blush on her cheek? It was too dark to be sure.
“Say something,” he demanded after a moment.
“I… I can’t stop thinking about it either.”
Lucien leaned forward, greedy for more. “Despite my less-than-stellar performance?”
Her mouth curved up. “Well, it ended sooner than expected, but it was quite notable before that.”
Notable.
Lucien grinned as if she had given him a standing ovation right there.
“And I am sorry,” she continued. “About the private investigator. It is our standard protocol, but I should have handled things differently with you.”
“No, I overreacted,” Lucien admitted. “I’m afraid I was just… a bit out of sorts at the time. Surely you can understandwhy.”
Alex shifted in her seat. “Yes, well,” she said, clearing her throat. “I wouldn’t have been so forward with you if I knew the truth.”
“I’m glad you were,” he insisted. “But now you must let me make it up to you.”
Alex bit her bottom lip, considering. “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” she said slowly.
“I assure you, I don’t lack experienceentirely.” He was suddenly quite determined to prove himself.
“It’s not about that.”
“Then why—”
But the rest of his words were drowned out by clapping. Lucien blinked as light suddenly filled the theater. It was already intermission and he could recall nothing of the first act. His thoughts were only of her.
Alex looked as stunned as he felt.
Mrs. Atkinson then leaned over her husband to address them. “Alex, come with me. You must say hello to Mrs. Dudley.” Then she cast him a knowing look. “You don’t mind, Lucien, seeing as you two were whispering together the entire time.”
He bowed his head. “Of course not, ma’am.”
“Not to worry,” she said with a wink. “I’ll return her before the next act.”
As Alex moved to stand, he placed a soft hand on her shoulder. “We aren’t done here,” he murmured by her ear.
Their eyes locked for a moment and her heated gaze was the most pleasurable kind of pain. She gave him a subtle nod and departed. Though at first he had not liked the idea of accepting the flat, he was starting to see the appeal of having some privacy. And being closer to Alex.
As Lucien watched her leave, he found the Duke of Ellis frowning at him from across the box. Lucien swallowed as theman approached. Though they had been friendly enough at the museum, Lucien still found him more than a little intimidating.
“Your Grace,” he mumbled as he came to his feet. Should he bow since they were in company? Better to be sure…
But before he could, the duke clapped a hand hard on his shoulder. “I told you to call me Margrave.”
“Right. Sorry.”
“Come with me to get a drink, won’t you?”
