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He tilted his head to the side. “It’s only that you seem a little odd tonight. As if you’re distracted.”
Forgive me. I’m just a little frazzled at your sudden appearance and you look so deliciously handsome.
She didn’t dare to say those words aloud. “I’m only a little tired. When you came in, I was trying to go to sleep.”
“I should go then. I’d hate to disturb your sleep.”
When he began to rise, Belle grew desperate. “You don’t have to leave right away,” she said. “I don’t mind talking to you a little longer.”
He hesitated. “All right,” he said finally. “I cannot stay for long, however. There is something I need to get back to.”
She nearly breathed a sigh of relief when he retook his seat. “Where are you coming from? That’s a rather large coat.”
“Nowhere in particular,” he said. “Was supper as magical as it was last night?”
“Even more so,” she said instantly. “As usual, Anne does not disappoint. I think I should get her recipes so I can try them myself when I leave here.”
“Whendoyou plan to leave?” Stephen asked her.
His odd tone made her chest constrict with fright.
Is he hoping I’ll leave soon?
“As soon as it takes for my ankle to heal. Don’t worry. You’ll no longer have to worry about me soon enough.”
“I’ve grown very fond of worrying about you, however.”
The fright dissipated. Pleasure bloomed in its stead. “Have you? I’m no reason for you to worry, Stephen. Unless, you’re afraid that I’ll somehow manage to fall out of the bed and injure my other ankle.”
“Worse. I fear that you’ll attempt to walk to the other side of the room and make your bad ankle worse.” Belle looked away. Stephen let out a loud sigh. “You’ve already tried to do that, haven’t you?”
“I didn’t try towalkacross the room,” she stated matter-of-factory. “I only tested my weight on my ankle, that’s all. And it was with the help of Lily.”
“She should know better than to allow you to do such a foolish thing. You’ve hardly been in bed for a week.”
“She was only trying to make me feel better,” Belle insisted. “And I have a feeling that she suggested it so I could be reminded of how serious my injury is and stop entertaining the idea of walking any time soon.”
“If that’s the case, then I hope it worked. I’d hate for my wonderful job at the abandoned house to go to waste.”
Belle’s lips twitched at his words. “I see. So, you’re only more concerned about the time and effort you’ve put into this and not about me, right?”
“Exactly,” Stephen said before laughing loudly.
The force of the sound was music to her ears and Belle couldn’t help laughing herself. She still couldn’t believe that he was here. After wishing all day and then giving up hope, she wondered if he had perhaps sensed it. It felt nice entertaining such foolish thoughts.
“All right, now I truly have to go,” Stephen said as he came to a rise. Belle’s heart plummeted. She tried not to plead with her eyes as she nodded.
“Thank you for coming to see me.”
Now I know I will sleep well tonight.
“Thank you for not ignoring me when I came in,” he said with a grin. It might have been her imagination, but Belle could have sworn he was hesitating as he made his way to the door. Stopping to gaze out the window. Picking something off his coat. Looking back at her just to give her a smile.
Does he want to stay?
The urge to ask him was on the tip of her tongue but Belle couldn’t do it. By that time, he was already going through the door and Stephen gave her one last wave of farewell before he left. She stared after him for a long time, listening to what she could hear from downstairs before it went quiet again. She supposed it was a good thing that he left. It was already growing late, and it would be improper for him to stay any longer, unless he was planning to stay overnight.
Just as she looked away, the door opened again, and Stephen came stalking back in. He didn’t stop but went straight to her side and took her hand. Belle’s breathing hitched, her eyes growing wide as she stared into his own. He paused for a moment and that second had a million thoughts going through her head.
He’s so handsome up close. Why does my body feel so hot? Is he planning on kissing me?
Then he leaned in in closer and brushed his lips against her cheek. Belle’s hand tensed in his, hardly moving as he pulled away, turning his face slightly toward her as if he was thinking about kissing her lips. She could hardly think now, could hardly tell him what she wanted from him. But for some reason, Bell knew exactly what he was thinking. She saw the conflict in his eyes, the way his eyes darted down to her lips, then the slope of her neck, then lower. She saw the temptation, then the hesitation, and then he pulled away, letting go of her fingers slowly.
“Good night, Hannah,” he murmured, then, he walked away, not turning away from her until he was finally at the door.
Belle’s cheeks warmed. Once he was gone, she placed each hand on each cheek. She shook her head, trying to stop herself from imagining Stephen spending the night with her. Not only under the same roof but curled up next to her like he had been in her dreams.
She sighed, adjusting herself until she was lying on her back again. She stopped trying to rid her mind of the image. She focused on it instead, letting the pleasurable sight lull her to sleep.
