Page 68 of From Duke Till Dawn
True to his prediction, Amina came into the room and rang a small silver bell. “My friends, it is time for us to part ways. Please collect everything you came with, and find your paths safely home.”
Servants made their way through the chambers, picking up empty glasses, sweeping up crumbs. A maid stood ready with a mop.
The redhead with the necklace joined the other servants in straightening the rooms. She helped a female guest to her feet and guided her toward the front door. On her way back, she stopped in front of the chaise where Alex and Cassandra sat.
“Amina has spoken,” the redhead said gently. “Time to search out your own beds. But we’ll be open next week, should you desire to return.”
Alex stood, and assisted Cassandra as she got to her feet. He bowed at the redhead. “Our thanks.”
Placing her hand on his arm, Cassandra accompanied Alex as he walked to the exit. Outside was bitingly cold, but they couldn’t seek shelter just yet.
“There’s an alley just across the street,” she pointed out.
“I see it.” He led her to the narrow span, only as wide as two men standing abreast. The paving stones were slick with morning dew, and the brick walls glistened. A faint smell of rotten apples rose from the alley’s recesses.
Cassandra rubbed her hands together to keep them warm. She hadn’t worn gloves, and her cloak was too thin to offer much protection from the icy air.
“Come here.” Before Cassandra could speak, Alex brought her close to his body, his front pressing to her back as he wrapped his arms around her. Heat from his body seeped into hers, chasing away the chill.
This could turn into a habit.Having his warmth. His protection.
She couldn’t remember the last time he’d spoken of his revenge against her. Should she say something? That wouldn’t be wise, reminding a man of his need for vengeance. Maybe he was still planning something.
The way he touched her, though, made her wonder exactly what it was he intended.
Perhaps he schemed to make her care about him. Then, when her heart was lost, he’d cruelly cut her from his life. Leave her to scrabble in the dust for pieces of happiness. Just as she had done in Cheltenham.
Too late.
Chapter 14
As they waited for the woman with the necklace to emerge, Alex tried to keep his attention on the house across the street. But he could not avoid the thought that nipped at him, over and over again.
Cassandra belongs in my arms.
Each time he’d held her, she fit seamlessly in his embrace. His body ached with the rightness of it, as though he’d been frozen before and now life returned, wakening his dead limbs, stirring his blood. Thoughhewas the one keeping her warm now, he drew heat from her and took her into his body, his breath.
He pulsed with the need for release—and the desire to give her pleasure again and again. The logic and reserve that he’d held so dear had sailed away on a voyage of unknown length, perhaps never to return. He could only watch from the shore as the ship grew smaller, until it disappeared over the horizon, leaving him alone with only his instinct and hungers to accompany him.
She’d been molten to touch, silken and responsive. And her taste... He’d savor it forever.
He drew Cassandra closer as a shiver worked its way through her body.
“We’ll get you warm when we’re home,” he said, then realized he’d used the wordhomewithout puttingmyin front of it. As if it wastheirhome.
If she noticed his grammatical slip, she made no sign. Instead, she nodded, and continued to watch the club. Dawn was still some time away, and shadows cloaked the houses and streets.
She stood up straighter. “They’re leaving now.”
Servants exited the club, some alone, some in groups. They laughed or talked quietly, their voices too low to be heard from across the street. Many slumped in exhaustion from a long night’s work, hunched against the cold, hurrying toward home and sleep, or waiting families.
It didn’t seem to matter whether one worked at a secret sex club or a tavern or hat shop—work was work, and it took its toll on the employees.
“There she is,” Alex murmured.
The woman with the necklace emerged from the back of the house alone, fastening the buttons of her coat. She’d removed her mask, as the other servants had, but it was impossible to tell her age or anything noteworthy about her face with the darkness so heavy. Her head was bent as she focused on the pavement.
Once the woman was a block away, Cassandra pulled out of his arms and quickly followed. Alex kept pace, trying to walk as lightly as he could so that the rap of his boot heels on the pavement didn’t echo loudly and alert the target to his presence. He’d never shadowed anyone before. A small thrill of the hunt worked through him as the woman hastened down the dark streets, turning corners, finding small passageways through the avenues that grew more and more disreputable.
