Page 39 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
Her eyes flew open, and she turned to find him looking at her, one arm draped over the back of the sofa. There was a dark, hungry look in her eyes that made her mouth go dry.
“What do you think?” She was relieved that her voice did not waver.
“I think it looks and feels most pleasing, though only time will tell if it is up to heavy use.” He leaned towards her, and she swallowed but did not move away.
“Then I suppose I will have to invite plenty of friends to stay,” she breathed, fluttering her eyelashes, before slipping off the sofa and away from him.
The scent of cedar and pine followed her, mingling with the heady scent of wood polish. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and her head felt clearer now that she was away from him.
He looked at her, still sprawled across the sofa, looking as though he owned everything in the shop. The green of the cushions brought out the green of his eyes.
“It suits you,” she said without thinking. “Perhaps we should get a matching armchair for your study.”
“I do not recall agreeing to let you furnish my study.” He sat up.
“You don’t? You were the one who said I should choose what my heart desires, and it desires to furnish the whole house.” She gave him an impish grin, enjoying the way his jaw dropped as she did.
Twelve
“It sounds to me like you just want somewhere to curl up by the fire. The days are getting colder, after all.” Tobias winked at Rowen and was rewarded with a blush.
They had been shopping for several hours at this point, and Tobias had found himself becoming more invested in the process. He had planned mostly on accompanying her to keep her from buying something truly awful just to irritate him, but as time went on, the joke choices had become real ones.
When he had told her not to think of the price, he had thought she would fight him, that she would tell him she was no soldier to be commanded. But she had simply taken him at his word.
While her tone dripped with sarcastic sweetness, he noticed the way her lips quirked into an almost smile, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear.
“And if that was what I wanted, I would suggest a chaise, not an armchair. A chaise is for company, after all.”
“Oh, an armchair can accommodate more than one person, I assure you.” He gave her a sensual smile, hoping to make her blush deepen.
To his surprise, she gave him an impish smirk. “What you do with your associates is your own business, Tobias.”
His jaw dropped, and he spluttered. He saw the triumph in her eyes and let out a soft growl.
Rowen giggled and returned her attention to the collection of armchairs around them.
“I think this one would be right up your alley.” She pointed to one of the nearby armchairs.
Tobias’s eyes widened, and he arched an eyebrow at her. “You are joking.”
The thing was huge and imposing and looked like it belonged in a Gothic cathedral. It had ornate arms and was upholstered in dark velvet. It seemed more like a throne than an armchair, and Tobias had no doubt it was about as comfortable as one.
Rowen peered around the chair, an overly innocent look on her face. “Do you not like it? I thought it would be perfect for your study.”
“That is not coming into my house, let alone my study.” He made an emphatic gesture with his hands.
Rowen smiled. “I think you meanourhouse.”
“Are you not the one who keeps reminding me of the impermanence of our arrangement?” Tobias felt his chest tighten briefly and noticed a look flit across his wife’s face that he could not quite place.
She shrugged. “And you are the one who insists I should be comfortable.”
“Which begs the question: why would you choose a chair that is neither aesthetic nor comfortable?” he teased.
“You have not even sat in it,” Rowen huffed.
“I do not need to. Just look at it.” He pointed to the hard and straight back, to the cushions that seemed little more than bits of fabric that wished to be cushions.
