Page 34 of When Hearts Ignite

The smirk on his face slowly fades as his eyes darken, the pupils overtaking his irises. His gaze trails down my features, landing on my lips, and I see him swallow. Our breaths mingle and I can smell a hint of mint mixing with his expensive cologne. His face dips toward mine, the movement so slight it’s almost imperceptible, but I can feel with every cell in my body. My eyes begin to close, my skin on fire.

Then he flinches.

A muscle twitches in his jaw before he slowly guides me back into a standing position.

My lungs heave in a big breath as my hands reluctantly slide off his powerful arms, which I’m not even aware I was grabbing before. Taking a few steps back, I put a respectable distance between us, because my mind can’t compute logic and reason when my body is standing a mere few inches away from him, my nose inhaling the scent of leather and the crisp waves washing up the sand.

“Steven?” My lips part, my eyes finally taking in the rest of him, and I belatedly realize putting a few steps between us hasn’t helped with my cause of clearing my mind.

“Grace,” Steven murmurs, his hands tucked behind his back.

He stands before me like he has stepped out of a carriage in the regency romance I finished reading earlier—the one he rudely interrupted me in the office weeks ago.

He’s clad in the finest evening wear, a sleek black tuxedo molded over his body like second skin, the silky fabric reflecting a subtle sheen of the moonlight. A matching vest and pants, along with a simple black bow tie complete his look. His hair is artfully swept up and his face appears clean-shaven, which only draws attention to those soulful eyes of his, which I realize, under the glow of the streetlight nearby, have flecks of gold dotted amongst the amber and green hues.

Realizing I’ve been staring at him for the past few seconds, I clear my throat and curve my lips into a forced smile. “What are you doing here?”

He motions to The Shed in the background. “A charity event tonight for lymphoma research. Adrian couldn’t attend and he asked me to stand in for him, given this cause is near and dear to him.”

I nod, my eyes finally registering the event banners, which were next to the gardenias all this time.

“And you?”

I glance back at him, finding him staring quizzically at me.

“Obviously not here for the event.” I motion to my flowy black blouse and wide-legged dress pants. “I was having dinner with my sister and friends at Chelsea Market and took a walk afterward to clear my mind. Speaking of which, one of my good friends, Millie, turns out to be Adrian’s sister. Such a small world.”

“She never told you before?”

“Nope. She’s a pretty private person, but she told us tonight.”

He hums in acknowledgment and begins walking toward the High Line once more. Staring at his back, I frown, confused by his actions, when he suddenly pauses and turns back, his hand outstretched, waving me toward him.

“Coming? I’m in the mood for a walk myself after a stuffy dinner and forced socializing.” A small grin transforms his face, softening the harsh lines and rough edges, letting through a rare display of boyish charm.

“Come on, friend, I won’t ravish you in the dark if that’s what you’re worried about,” he adds for good measure, the grin transforming into a smirk. A devious twinkle appears in his eyes.

My heart pitter patters, an unusual swooshing sensation sweeps through me, like I’ve slowly reached the top of a roller coaster ride, my car chugging to an agonizing stop before it abruptly plummets to the depths of exhilaration and freedom. Maybe ravishment coming from him might not be so—hold your horses, Grace.

I bite back a grin and stride up to his side and we walk in the direction I came from. The crowds have thinned out now. The pathway is quiet, with the occasional murmuring and chuckles of couples taking a romantic stroll under the moonlight. Tall trees and dark green foliage are lit up by small spotlights along the carefully manicured landscape.

Steven and I saunter down the winding paths, the occasional sound of cars passing below interrupting us. Even though we aren’t speaking or touching, I can feel every inch of his presence next to me, and my heart pounds in response, clamoring to get out, to get closer to the warmth radiating from his body.

I look at the ground and see our shoes side by side on the pavement, his dress shoes shiny and probably an expensive handcrafted work of art, and my worn-down leather flats, scuffed at the edges. Our outsides don’t appear to match, just like dancing and the pouring rain, the colors black and white, the patterns polka dots and stripes. But when I glance farther down the road and see our shadows cast on the pavement—mere man and woman strolling side by side, our hands swaying and almost touching—everything just seems…right.

Then I remember how fun it was when Mom threw on our raincoats and dragged Taylor and me to the sidewalk to twirl and dance in the first rain of spring. Our hair would be plastered to our faces, our dresses soaking wet, but there was something wild and freeing about giving the middle finger to common sense and going with instinct, flirting with the whimsical.

And black and white are often paired together, as are different overlapping patterns in fashion, the contrast elevating each element into something better.

So maybe…just maybe, a friendship between a king with an empty heart and a poor girl with more heart to spare makes sense.

Even if it only makes sense to the two of us.

Our breaths mingle, and our steps are in sync, with Steven slowing his long strides to match my short ones, the simple gesture warming my chest and making me smile.

I peek into the windows of the multi-million-dollar apartments on both sides of the pathway, noting how some folks have their homes proudly displayed, with the curtains wide open, like a work of heart to be admired by the masses. A startling contrast to the closed blinds in our humble abode, completed with metal safety bars.

“What are you looking at?” Steven asks, his voice hushed, as if talking loudly will disrupt this quiet tranquility surrounding us.

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