Page 62 of The Devil's Pawn

“Why is he like that?”

Dark eyes land on mine, a reticence to share what he knows right there in the depths of his chocolate brown irises. “That’s something I suggest you ask him.”

“And you think he’ll tell me?” I scoff.

Nicholas hitches a shoulder. “Maybe. You won’t know unless you ask.”

“Considering we’re not even sleeping in the same room, I’m not sure a deep and meaningful conversation with the wife is at the top of his to-do list.”

Nicholas shows no surprise at my admission, which means he already knows. Of course, Alexander will talk to him. They’re obviously close. I wonder if he’s told him about Will.

“Did you know Alexander fired a groom the other day?”

Nicholas’s eyebrows pinch together. “What Alexander decides to do with household staff isn’t of particular interest to me.”

Bracing an arm behind Alexander’s back, Nicholas hauls him to his feet. Alexander’s head lolls, and he moans, but his eyes remain shut.

“Here, get on the other side of him. I’ll take most of the weight, don’t worry.”

I do as he asks, and we half carry, half drag him to his bedroom. It’s as masculine as I expected, with dark paneling, and navy-blue sheets. I bet he has the De Vil crest and the initials ADV stitched into them. He lands with a thud, and a soft moan spills from his lips. His eyes flicker open only for a second, then close again.

“Are you sure he hasn’t taken something?”

“My brother doesn’t use drugs.” He growls, his gaze sharpening in obvious displeasure at my suggestion.

“It’s just… most people would wake if you shook them, let alone dragged them down a hallway and dropped them into bed.”

“Haven’t you figured it out yet?” He half smiles, but there’s no warmth to it. “Alexander isn’t most people.”

He’s got that right. Most people wouldn’t fire a hardworking member of their staff for helping their wife learn how to ride a horse.

“Maybe you should stay with him,” I say. “He might swallow his tongue or something.”

Nicholas lets out a single-note laugh. “You’rehis wife. If you’re that worried, youstay with him.” He sweeps from the room, leaving me behind.

In his unconscious state, Alexander’s features have softened. Awake, he’s usually scowling or smirking, both of which give him a broody, arrogant air that often infuriates me. But now, like this, I can appreciate the sheer beauty of the man without him catching me in the act.

Tentatively, I reach out and brush my fingertips over his stubbled, angular jawline, then run my thumb over his plump bottom lip. I’d never think of doing this if he were conscious, what with his mocking stare taunting me, but as he’s out of it, I’m feeling braver.

I don’t know what comes over me, but I lean forward and press my lips to his. The subtle scent of his cologne and, beneath that, the clean smell of his skin envelopes me. I linger there for a few seconds, my body pulsing with need, my eyes open, watching, waiting for him to wake and ask me what I’m doing.

I lean even closer, hungry for more. As I do, my elbowbrushes his penis, and I freeze. He’s hard. Granite hard. Is that something that happens to men when they’re asleep? I’ve heard of morning wood. The girls at college would giggle about that when sharing their stories, but it isn’t morning. That’s definitely wood, though. A great big slab of it.

His eyes flicker again, and I stiffen, but all he does is sigh and fall promptly back to sleep.

I sigh, too. “Why did you have to fire an innocent man? Why do you have to be such an asshole all the time?” I glance over my shoulder to make sure we’re still alone, then lower my voice. “Why won’t you just divorce me? We’d both be happier apart.”

Are you sure?

“Shush.” I let out a low chuckle at having a conversation with myself. If Alexander had agreed to let me work, maybe, just maybe, I might have considered the possibility of getting to know him better. But he didn’t.

Therefore, the plan stays. I just need to dial it up to eleven.

An idea pops into my mind. I break into a smile. Oh, this might work. If he didn’t wake up with me and Nicholas dragging him along the floor, or me kissing him, I doubt he’ll wake if I…

No, I can’t do it. It’s too much. He’ll go crazy.

But… but… how marvelous it would be if I could pluck up the courage.

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