Page 39 of Peasants and Kings
“You never changed your mind,” he said.
“Hmm?”
“You never left your name with the front desk.”
I smiled slightly. “No, I didn’t.”
“Aye, but now I knowwhyyou didn’t. You’re a Rex girl.”
I arched a brow. “You never even considered the fact that perhaps I didn’twantto meet you later that evening?”
It was his turn to look amused. “Of course, you did. You just weren’t allowed to act on it.”
“Ah, your arrogance. Back in full force. How could I have forgotten?”
“There’s nothing wrong with admitting you want me, Eden.”
“Are you kidding me right now?” I asked in exasperation.
He took a step toward me. “I’m not a man easily surprised, but when I saw you walking down the stairs, I was. Were you surprised to see me, too?”
I inclined my head but gave no vocal affirmation to his words.
“You wanted me that day in the bar—your eyes held nothing back.” He took another small step toward me, like a lion that didn’t want to spook its prey. “When you came down the stairs tonight you looked regal and composed. Until I got close enough to see your eyes. You didn’t do a good enough job, Eden.”
“Good enough job of what?” I demanded, trying to stem the breath from leaving my lungs.
He reached up slowly and his large hand gently cupped the back of my head. “A good enough job of hiding the fact that you don’t belong here. Hiding the fact that behind your beautiful face there is fear and anger. You’re so very angry.”
I was disturbed, and it had nothing to do with the drum of desire beating in my chest. No, it was something else. This man, this stranger, could see through my veneer.
And it was terrifying.
“Why are you here, Eden?” he asked again.
“Why are any of us here?” I countered.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t deflect. I want you to be the woman I met in the bar.”
“I am. My name is Eden—”
His hand moved and his thumb stroked my jawline, freezing my speech. I couldn’t stop the shiver of pleasure.
“Your reaction to my touch is enough truth for me.” His finger glided lower to rest at the rapid pulse of my throat. “Eden. That’s so tongue in cheek.”
My fake name spilled from his lips like a taunting mockery.
I smiled. “I’m glad someone noticed.”
“I’m not justsomeone.”
He was so much larger up close and my neck was getting a crick while I stared at him. He was dynamic and I felt his pull. Pride demanded I do something, anything, to get away from him.
But my body had other ideas.
