Page 63 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“I am not.” Tobias shrugged, even though her words needled him. “I am simply giving you what you asked for. What you have always wanted. I thought you would be happy.”
He could not manage a smile, not while ice spread through his blood. The numbness warred against the guilt and fury and shame. He dug his nails into the palms of his hands.
“This is for the best.”
It has to be.
He could not look at her as he turned to leave the room. “You will see.”
“No!” He felt her fingers wrap around his wrist.
The scent of violets filled his nose, and he turned his head towards her, almost before he realized what he was doing.
“You are weak, Tobias.”
It was his father’s voice. He hardened his heart, building walls around it as he stared into Rowen’s furious grey eyes.
“Let me go, Rowen.” His voice was strained as the whirlwind in his chest only grew in strength.
“Make me.” Her eyes met his, her chin raised in defiance.
“Do you doubt that I could?” He moved towards her, straightening to his full height.
“No. Just that you would.” Her voice was soft.
“Are you so willing to put that to the test, Duchess?” He could not look away from her eyes.
“What are you so afraid of?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Her words struck him with the force of a bullet. “I am not.”
“Do not lie to me.”
“You seem to be the one who is afraid; I am offering you everything you wanted, yet you balk at it.” He narrowed his eyes at her, smirking.
Push it all away.
He thought of the empty estate he would return to, and his chest ached. The numbness swept over him, and he leaned into it. He drew it around himself like a blanket as the world around him became a little more distant.
Except for Rowen. The feel of her fingers against his skin was like a brazier fighting against the cold that surrounded him. His heart beat steadily in his chest, so loudly.
“And what do you want, Tobias?” Rowen’s eyes were like a sea in a storm.
To stay.“I have to leave.” He could not break from her.
“That is not an answer.” She was so close, he could feel the heat radiating from her body.
“What do you want?” he asked hoarsely.
“I asked you first.” Rowen licked her lips, her own voice cracking.
He could see every one of her eyelashes. Each of her words tickled his skin. Fire rose within him, and the numbness vanished.
“Do not do this.” Tobias did not know if the words were for himself or for her.
Rowen’s grey eyes drew him in like magnets. He thought he would drown in them. The very air was charged. His body was a tightly coiled spring. A familiar hunger rose inside him, loud and insistent.
Her lips parted. He saw his own hunger in her eyes.
