Page 79 of The Little Shop of Grand Curiosities

“Come on in,” I permitted, stifling a yawn into my pillow. I turned on my back and closed my eyes again, half-listening to the soft footsteps thudding on the carpet.

“You forgot your gloves, huh?” I murmured, resting my hands on my stomach.

“These aren’t really my style, I’m afraid,” Apollo’s deep rasp sounded.

My eyes tore open, and my head veered to find Apollo leaning against the windowsill, his strong silhouette backlit and ethereal in his all-white attire. White informal trousers and white linen shirt, sleeves rolled up and collar fully open. Skin everywhere.

Suddenly, I was wide awake.

“Are you trying to scare me to death?” I growled, springing off the bed.

“You said to come in,” he countered coolly as he strolled to the vanity to take the long silk robe that was folded over the upholstered chair.

He sauntered back and handed it to me, his eyes elsewhere. I glanced down at the frilly corset Thea had made me try on over my nightdress since she’d assured me that my gown for tonight would absolutely require it, and I felt my cheeks redden.

Of course, he’d seen me in less that day at the inn, and for goodness’ sake, he’d had his fingers inside me only the night before. But I supposed things were different now that we knew just how good each other’s bodies felt. I could pretend all I wanted that nothing happened between us last night, but I would never be untouched by him again.

I slipped into the robe, and Apollo finally returned his eyes to me.

I smiled wittily. “Look at you being a gentleman for once.”

“Let’s just say you’re lucky you can’t read my thoughts right now,” he rasped and walked back to the window. He rested his hip against the sill and cast a distracted gaze outside. His hair was a little damp from a bath he must have taken earlier, and his black locks were curling on his forehead. I cursed myself for not brushing my fingers through his hair last night when I had the chance. Now, the urge was devastating to me.

I cleared my throat. “Would you like some tea? They brought it up earlier. It’s quite good. Well, not as good as mine—”

“Of course,Miss Curiosity’s tea is better,” Apollo taunted.

I raised my chin. “I’ll have you know I make a mean cup of tea.”

Apollo smirked. “Oh, tea is never mean. It is always polite. Like you, Little Butterfly.”

I sighed in resignation. “Did you want something, or did you just come here to mock me?”

To my bemusement, his smile waned. He leaned further back against the windowsill and started unrolling and rolling again one of his shirtsleeves, looking truly nervous. “Yes… I wanted… I…” he paused, cursed under his breath, and tried again, “I just wanted to see if you settled in. Do you have everything you need? Is everything to your liking? Besides the overly polite tea.”

“Are you serious?” I chuckled. “Look at this place. I feel like I’m dreaming.”

He nodded, his throat bobbing. “Good. Good.”

I frowned at him. “Apollo, are you okay? You seem a bit… nervous.”

He met my eyes. “I was thinking that you should stay for a few more days.”

Gradually, I realized the words, the meaning, the tone.

I’d been imagining our separation all day long in a pathetic, self-pitying manner. I’d pictured Apollo sending me off in the same indifferent, slapdash way he’d barged into my life.Take care, darling. And don’t forget to have fun every now and then.The idea of becoming some distant memory of his, just another story in a life dazzlingly full of them while he would forever be my greatest adventure, hurt me more than it should. More than it was wise.

“Stay?” I echoed, numb with hope.

“To see the city, I mean. And the Palace. We have a library here that you will probably need a lifetime to go through. Not that you should stay here for the rest of your life. Unless you want to stay—”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed. Hysterically almost.

“Will you stop that?” he growled.

“I’m sorry,” I snorted with laughter. “I’ve just never seen you thisdistressedbefore.”

He came and seized my face in his hand. It happened fast, impetuously. One moment I was wiping the corners of my eyes, and the other he was holding me, his long fingers on the hollows of my cheeks, stealing my breath. “Keep it up, and I will—”

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