She tried to slow her breaths, felt a delicious shiver run from her spine to her center. His words amazed her. He’d called her beautiful? Then he turned her to face outward so he could squeeze into the space between her and the back of the lounge. They lay together, breathing as one body.
With his arm over the top of her, his larger fingers wrapped round hers and holding her hand snuggled by her side, she looked out at the study through half-closed lids. She idly surveyed the immense desk and the airship-shaped table lamp, embellished with steel and gold, the plush blue carpet, the door opposite that she’d entered by…and the haphazard pile of cut rope. There was her hard, dangerous, friendless past, where she’d never known a man who didn’t aim to hurt her or use her for his own ends. Here, with Theo, was her future—a novel sensation. For once, she rested safe in the arms of another. Glorious. She let out a long, contented sigh.
Nothing, she decided, would keep her from it.
The clock on the wall ticked ponderously through the minutes, and she felt the slow slide of her consciousness into sleep.
“Should have turned off the lamp,” Theo muttered. “It’s only three in the morning.”
She wriggled a little closer to him, if that was possible, settling the hard length of him into a more interesting position against her bottom.
“Do that again,” he growled, “and I may decide you’re well enough for further endeavors.”
For a threat, it was an enticing one. She had an inkling Theo wouldn’t let her stay a virgin for much longer. Oh my.
“Would you like to talk?” He kissed her nape.
Would she? She brought his hand up till it was before her nose. Playing with his fingers, she tried to organize her thoughts.
He drew his index finger down her nose to the tip, then traced across her lips. The scent of her body lingered on his skin.
“Well?” he asked. “What are you thinking?”
Fear nibbled at her, swirling murky tendrils through her stomach—like a monster hiding below the surface, waiting to lunge at the smallest sign of weakness. Theo was a person, a human—something she wanted to be, yet would she ever really believe herself one? What he’d done for her, being so gentle, so loving, and trusting her against Dankyo’s advice to the contrary, when he didn’t have to risk himself…it seemed so far above what he had to do. He could have raped her. Could have left her tied up and done whatever he wanted to…but he hadn’t. She turned her face into the upholstery and felt Theo gently twine her hair around her ear.
He could have thrown her to the dogs. The undercurrent of gossip said such things sometimes happened.
“What’s wrong?” Theo tugged on her hair.
“Nothing.”
Right now, everything was so wonderful, yet how well did she know him? One misstep and perhaps he might throw her to the dogs, or to Dankyo. She walked a tightrope over a chasm that went straight to hell.
But she liked it here. She liked Theo, and, oh, what he conjured from her body, she liked that too. This was the man she would have wished for, if she’d ever dreamed of rescue. Her notion of traveling to the Brito-Gallic League in disguise, hoping she could survive there—a half-baked fantasy, a dream. Here was real.
Yet, already, she’d lied to him, saying she was a bodyguard. If she told him they’d trained her to kill, it might turn him against her. No. She could never tell him. She drew in a deep, shuddering breath and choked out the words, “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to talk about things. I can’t!” Though she strained to stop herself, her body shook.
“Shh. You don’t have to talk. Oh, Claire, whatever is wrong, I’m sure I can help you fix it.”
Which, of course, only made things worse.
“Come.” He heaved himself off the lounge and hauled her up after him. “This couch is far too uncomfortable.” He tucked his arm around her. “We’ll go to my bedroom.”
That set her heart pitter-pattering all over again. Her untied pants threatened to tumble to her ankles.
“Wait.” She secured them with a bow. Theo took her hand, squeezed it.
When he reached for the doorknob and turned it, she tensed. Outside would be others, people who would look at her and wonder what had gone on in this room. Though she’d rather face swords and bullets, she squared her shoulders. Let them wonder.
Theo never wavered. Either side of the door were two guards, and down the hallway sitting on a timber bench beneath a triptych of oil paintings were Dankyo and two more guards armed with repeater gauss guns. They all leaped to attention. Did Dankyo never sleep?
“Sir!” He stalked toward them, his black stare flicking from her to where Theo draped his arm around her and back to Theo. “Is this advis—”
“Yes. It is,” interjected Theo.
Dankyo slowed then stopped a yard away. His hand went to his belt; he drew an inch of his sword from the scabbard and bowed slightly. “Perhaps sir would like my resignation? I no longer feel I am able to fulfill my duties regarding your safety.”