Page 21

For a moment, she simply stood there and let herself enjoy what she had asked for, savoring each small, sweet sensation. When he lifted his head, she opened her eyes reluctantly, as though surfacing from deep water. “Well?” he murmured, his voice low and slightly rough.

She attempted to gather a sensible answer. His gaze remained upon her, warm and intent, and the words she had intended to use abandoned her entirely. Her mind felt pleasantly empty, filled only with the memory of his lips.

“You have made it difficult to remember my objection.”

“To what?” he asked.

“One kiss.” She wanted to beg him to kiss her properly. His mouth on hers, and the passion that brewed between them.

His smile softened, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I have honored the condition.”

“Very precisely.” She barely held back her disappointment.

“I thought you might appreciate that.”

She did. She appreciated it enough to brush her thumb along the edge of his shoulder, where the linen stretched over firm muscle, warm and solid beneath her touch. He could have turned that kiss into several. She would have welcomed them. Yet he had given her exactly what she agreed to and waited for her to choose the rest, and the restraint of it made her chest ache with a tenderness she’d not expected.

Choosing him was becoming far too easy. Amelia drew back a little, needing space to recover her wit, and briefly pressed a hand to her warm cheek. “Now I must determine whether you are equally gracious when pursued.”

Dominic looked at the ribbon hanging from his hand, and surprise flickered across his face. “You wish to take a turn?”

“That is generally how the game is played,” she said.

He arched a brow. “By people with more company than we have.”

“You cannot complain about the company. You selected it yourself.”

“I have no complaint whatever,” he reassured her.

She held out her hand for the silk. He placed it across her palm, but his fingers remained over hers, warm and gentle. “Are you certain?”

The question was quiet. He seemed to understand this was different from her earlier teasing, though she couldn't explain why it felt so like herself. A fluttering unease stirred beneath her ribs, mingled with something shy and eager.

With her eyes covered, she had to trust him to stay where he said he was. Let her find him at her own pace. To keep her from stumbling without using the opportunity to turn the game to his advantage. The thought brought a quick, old caution, a habit of years, and she steadied herself with a breath.

She had already trusted him with smaller things. She wanted to discover whether she could trust him with this one. “Yes,” she said, lifting her chin.

He laughed, and her unease loosened, melting away like frost in sunlight. She turned, lifting the ribbon toward her eyes, but he gently took it from her. “Allow me.”

Amelia lowered her hands and folded them in front of her. The silk settled against her face, shutting away the candles and the fire. Dominic adjusted to the darkness with ease. Experiencing it herself was rather less amusing. Her heartbeat quickened, loud in her ears.

The room seemed suddenly larger, vast and unmapped. His fingers brushed her hair as he tied the knot, tugging lightly at her scalp. She heard the soft movement of his sleeve and felt his warmth behind her, solid and near. She stayed still, her hands clasped loosely before her, resisting the impulse to reach back and find out exactly where he stood.

“Too tight?” he asked, close to her ear.

“No,” she said softly

“Can you see?” he asked.

“Not a thing...”

His hand settled lightly upon her shoulder, warm and steady, grounding her. “Then I shall have to be especially agreeable.”

The familiar humor steadied her, easing the knot of nerves in her stomach. Amelia smiled into the darkness. “That would be a pleasant novelty.”

“Cruel woman.” He chuckled lightly. His lips brushed the top of her shoulder before he stepped away. A quick, warm press that sent a shiver racing through her.

She drew a breath, startled by the touch and by how promptly she missed it, the sudden cool where his mouth had been. “That was not a forfeit.” They had not agreed to the forfeit beforehand this time. What would he ask for if he won, what would she?