Page 88 of Enthrall Ecstasy
I didn’t want to look at Rue.
Didn’t want to see her hope fade.
“I’ll take a look at it,” I told him.
“I want them back.” He set a fountain pen beside it. “The pen and the contract.”
“As I said, I’ll take a look.” I strolled to the other end of the table, pulled out a chair and sat.
Dominic walked over and pulled Rue’s chair out for her—just like a gentleman should for a lady. I was being an asshole of epic proportions. She didn’t deserve this cold attitude from me.
There was no other way.
I pushed to my feet and grabbed a spoon, scooping up some scrambled eggs and what I assumed were vegetarian sausages for her. I placed some buttered toast on the side of her plate with my fingers, which earned a look of horror from Dominic like I’d just handled a live bomb.
I might be rough around the edges, but I knew etiquette. I just couldn’t be bothered. I licked the butter off my fingers to prove it. Rue needed to see that I would never be good enough for her.
“Serviette?” Dominic offered.
I grabbed one off the table and placed it over her lap.
It was too damn early for these rules. These expectations. This fevered need to suppress what I wanted to do to Rue whenever I was in the same room with her.
This was me protecting her.
Couldn’t everyone see that?
I placed the plate in front of her. “There you go, sweetheart.”
My stomach grumbled. That vigorous run along the beach had left me hungry. Up until this moment I’d been too distracted to be able to eat. My body was demanding food despite my reservations.
Dominic gave a nod of approval. “Are we set, Mr. Gardner?”
“Sure thing.” I gestured to the door. “Cheers.”
“Thank you for this, Master Dominic,” said Rue, making up for my rudeness.
“You’re very welcome, my dear,” he said.
“Yes, thanks for breakfast.” I gave him a thin smile. “Next time, can you bring coffee instead of tea?”
There was no way they wouldn’t be serving Cole’s family brand of Earl Grey. That wily psychiatrist had a way of sneaking into my psyche.
With a nod from Dominic to prove I outranked him, he strolled out with his head high and superiority brimming.
“Settling in?” Seemed a reasonable way to start a conversation.
“Yes.” Rue reached for a piece of toast. “Lotte told me you’d be back this morning, first thing. And here you are.”
She’d been worried.
Yes, here I am.
To deliver the bad news.
“Do you like it?” She tugged on her bodice.
As though coming out of a dream I admired her again, letting my gaze roam over her. The snuggly fitted bodice, embroidered with what looked like emeralds, looked stunning on her. It was easy to stare at her curves. Take in her button nose and the way her blue eyes popped in contrast to the waves that tumbled over her bare shoulders. Those freckles were a curse because it felt like an invitation to kiss them.
