Page 42 of Keeper of Secrets

Caroline wrinkled her nose.“That’s better than him just stalking after you.People are starting to stare.”

Chloe looked around to see that Caroline was correct.Several groups of women were talking behind their fans, their gazes darting from herself to Ryker, who was in turn watching her with a look of aggressive intensity that might make another woman shrivel in fear.Or swoon.That was a possibility too.But it only made her heart beat with excitement.

She let go of Caroline, turning back to her surly duke.

Ryker continued toward her, the crowd seeming to part for him until he stood in front of her.

“You’re acting beastly again.”

“I’m feeling beastly,” he grunted back.“I hate the way they are all looking at you.”

“I’m fairly certain most of the ladies are looking at you and the spectacle you’re making, not me.”

“Not the ladies.The men.”A man passing by looked up at Ryker’s words.Ryker snarled at the fellow, who promptly dropped his head and scurried off.

Chloe shook her head, turning on her own heel and trailing Caroline, knowing that Ryker would follow.Whatever conversation they were about to have, it needed more privacy.

And for whatever reason, they only conversed when they were out.

Ryker followed her down the hall toward the ladies’ repose.But Chloe, the hall empty, continued down a set of stairs.She tried a few doors and blessedly found one that was open.

She stepped inside, not even bothering to close it as Ryker slipped in behind her a moment later.

A small window lit the room, with only a table and a few chairs.“What is this?”

“A private meeting room for club members, I’m sure.”Ryker closed the door with a decided click.

Now that she had him alone, she struggled to decide which questions she ought to ask first.Why are you so aggressive this evening?What are we moving toward?

“Why don’t we ever interact at home?”

He turned back to her, the moonlight casting over his face.His face was set in taut lines, tension evident around his eyes and mouth.“I don’t know.”

She paused, assessing him carefully.She’d never heard him utter the wordsI don’t know.Some people might say such a thing all the time, but Ryker always knew…

“Why are you upset tonight?”

“I’m not upset, just frustrated.”He ran a rough hand through his hair, keeping his distance.He’d been hovering over her all night.And now he remained three feet away.

“Frustrated by what?”

He let out a long breath.“Leave it, Chloe.”

“And what?”She couldn’t be timid with this man.If she wanted her way, she had to push.She’d learned that much.“Allow you to ruin me with your glares alone?”

“I can’t ruin you with glares.”

“Really?All of London will be talking tomorrow about the duke and his charge.If keeping our match a secret is your game, you’re losing.”

“Fuck,” he muttered.

A smile tugged at Chloe’s lips.She was fairly certain she’d just scored a significant point.

But how to win…

* * *

Chloe was workingher way closer to the truth.How had she realized he kept his distance at home because she was just too tempting?If he allowed himself access even once in the privacy of their home… There it was again.That word… home.

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