Wrapping herself in the heavy flannel robe from the foot of the bed, she slipped out the door. She feared if she paused for more than one second, she’d lose her nerve.
She’d never done anything this daring in her entire life.
Oh, how she wished she had Emma’s courage and sense of adventure. If she did, she’d wear purple silk instead of white flannel, and she’d flirt shamelessly instead of tripping over her tongue or hurling waspish insults.
Biting her lip, she lifted her hand to knock on Julian’s door, then thought better of it. She couldn’t stand here and wait for him to answer. Someone could come along at any moment.
But she’d ventured too far to turn back now, so she gathered her nerve, turned the knob, and slipped inside. Breathing erratically, she sagged against the wall and waited for her eyes to grow accustomed to the dark.
Oh, this was a bad, bad idea. He was already asleep, and he probably wouldn’t appreciate her barging in on him like this even if he wasn’t.
“Who’s there?”
Julian’s raspy, sleepy voice startled her. She shrank even closer to the wall and wished the floor would open up and swallow her. She couldn’t go through with this. But she didn’t know whether to leave or simply remain quiet until he fell asleep again.
The bedclothes rustled, and then he moved toward her through the darkness with unerring accuracy. “Who’s there?” This time, his voice sounded dark with menace. “Identify yourself.”
Before she could draw breath to answer, he slammed her against the wall with the full weight of his large body. Her breath escaped in a terrified rush as the cold press of steel bit at the tender skin of her throat.
She made a soft sound of distress, dizzy with fear, but with even that small movement, the blade pricked her. “Julian. Please. It’s me, Jane.”
Immediately, he released her. “Jane?” His voice was hoarse with sleep and confusion. “What the hell are you doing here?”
She shook her head, then realized he couldn’t see her in the dark. “I don’t know,” she whispered, fighting an overwhelming urge to cry. This wasn’t going at all the way she planned. “I just wanted to see you.”
“You wanted to see me?” He repeated her words slowly, as though he feared he hadn’t understood them. “I must be dreaming.”
“You’re not dreaming.” As she spoke, she groped behind her for the doorknob. “But this was a mistake. I never should have come.”
Finding what she sought, she pulled the door open, only to freeze as light spilled into the room from the hallway beyond. Her earlier suspicions were illuminated in stunning, beautiful detail.
I was right. He sleeps in the nude.
Her gaze swept over his body, taking in every hard, muscular detail. She couldn’t have looked away if her life depended on it. In fact, she feared she was the one dreaming.
But even in her wildest fantasies, she’d never imaginedthis.
His black hair was mussed and fell in soft waves over his forehead, framing his dark eyes. His chest was powerfully chiseled, covered by a mat of curly dark hair that narrowed to trail down his lean stomach. She dared to let her gaze drop even farther, then swallowed dryly at what she saw.
“I really should go,” she repeated, a bit desperate. “I’m sorry for disturbing you.”
Julian stepped forward, barring her exit. “Don’t leave.” He lifted a large warm hand and tenderly cupped her cheek. Then he paused, staring down at her throat. “I’ve cut you.”
“It’s all right. It doesn’t hurt.”
“You’re bleeding.” Shutting the door, he took her hand and drew her across the room, dangerously near the bed. “Wait here.”
The was some rustling and a low curse, and after a moment, an oil lamp flared to life, casting a small island of light in the darkness. With some regret, she noticed he’d wrapped a crisp white sheet around his lean hips.
Cutting off a corner with his knife, he dipped the ragged piece of fabric into a glass of brandy on the nightstand beside his rumpled bed.
“This might sting.” Moving closer, he dabbed gently at the small cut. “God, Jane. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right,” she assured him. “This was my fault entirely.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Her eyelids fluttered shut at his tender touch, and she breathed deeply, inhaling Julian’s clean warm scent. She felt so strange. Her limbs seemed heavy, as though she couldn’t have moved even if she’d wanted to.
