Page 46 of Path of the Dark
Ryana frowned, even if her heart now galloped. She didn’t know whether to be insulted or flattered, for there was an accusing edge to his voice.
“You need to work on your seduction technique,” she said, cursing the tremor in her voice. “It’s not a woman’s fault if you desire her.”
His mouth twisted. “I never claimed to be smooth-tongued … that was always Saul’s strength, not mine.”
Ryana huffed. Saul might have been a charmer, but he’d been forgettable next to this man. She had only to set eyes on Elias and she found it hard to breathe. She wouldn’t tell him that though—he was already insufferably conceited.
Elias drew in a deep breath. His gaze shadowed, and he raked his fingers through his short dark hair. It was the first time she’d ever seen him make the gesture—it was one she’d seen Asher do when something frustrated him. “You asked to know my deepest desire,” he growled, “and now you have it. Only the truth, remember?”
Ryana cleared her throat. She wasn’t sure what answer she’d been expecting, but it hadn’t been that.
Silence fell between them.
Ryana clasped her hands together under the table and wondered what to do next. Their dicing was at an end, and so was the conversation. There was nothing to be said after such an admission.
Get up and walk away, the sensible voice in her head counselled her.Bid him goodnight and don’t look back.
That was what sheshoulddo, what a wise woman would do.
And yet the desire that caused her pulse to race and her breathing quicken made Ryana pause. She thought back to how he’d pushed her up against that wall and kissed her, how he’d made her feel. As if nothing else in this world mattered but the two of them. She ached to lose herself in that sensation once more.
Clearing her throat, Ryana rose to her feet.
Elias cast her a questioning look, although she saw disappointment flare in those dark eyes.
“Wait there,” she ordered softly.
Without another word, Ryana walked across to where the inn-keeper was polishing glasses behind the counter. After a short conversation the man nodded. Ryana returned to their table. Elias’s gaze tracked her as she approached.
“I got us a room for the night,” Ryana said, meeting his eye and producing an iron key. She then smiled. “And I’ve told the inn-keeper you’ll pay.”
