Page 23 of Hawthorne

After a quick trip to the freezer for some ice cream and chocolate topping from the cabinet, it’s complete. So, I turn around and carry it to where the duke is sitting, gingerly placing it in front of him.

“What’s this?” he asks.

“It’s fried banana with vanilla ice cream and chocolate topping. It’s my absolute favourite!” I gush.

A small smile appears on his face before he nods in understanding.

Realising I probably look like a silly child gushing about lollipops, I blush and step away, giving him some distance and privacy to eat his food.

Except, I haven’t eaten yet, and it looks tasty. So much so, my eyes can’t detach from it, intently watching him eat. That is probably why my stomach decides to humiliate me by growling.

Stealing him a glance, I notice his attention on me with an arched eyebrow so, hastily, I turn around and occupy myself.

Pans were never as appealing as they are right now.

“Camilla,” the duke calls, but I keep on putting them in the right cabinets, with my back turned to him. “Don’t make me repeat myself.” His strong and assertive tone halts my movements for a few seconds before I turn to look at him.

And that is my first mistake. His expression is sombre as he studies me.

“Y-yes, Your Grace,” I stutter like a fool, embarrassed.

“Did you have dinner?”

“I, uh, I was nervous before your dinner, and then I got busy, and I–”

“I asked you a question,Camilla.”

“No, Your Grace,” I mumble.

The intensity of his gaze forces me to look away, scouring every crevice of the kitchen in search of some relief from this tension.

“Then prepare yourself a plate and eat with me.”

I freeze.What?

“But–”

When I make the mistake of looking at him again, he still has his intense and unwavering gaze locked on me. The food remains mostly untouched on his plate, completely forgotten by him.

It looks so tasty.

It’s enough to make my stomach growl again and for water to grow in my mouth.

“You either get yourself some food right now, or I’ll feed you myself.”

My eyes open wide in surprise alongside a gasp. “What?” I gasp.

“Did I stutter?” he questions, tilting his head to the side.

Without daring to question him, I do as he says, preparing a plate for myself. All the while, I feel the intensity of his gaze on my back, making me nervous. When it’s ready, I shorten the distance by rounding the island counter and getting closer to him.

To my surprise, the duke pulls the stool out and mutters a, “Sit down.”

I know I should obey him right away, but it doesn’t change the fact that my body hesitates.

It keeps reacting weirdly to his assertive orders. While a small part of me knows boundaries are there for a reason, I can’t notice them right now.Not really.

All because the giddiness and adrenaline that comes from his proximity feed parts of me that have been dormant so far. It’s strangely pleasant, and it makes me ignore all the warning signs that threaten to pop up.

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