Page 33 of One Dangerous Desire
“Say it,” he said without looking at her. “Whatever you need to say.”
“A man who forgot me doesn’t deserve to call me memorable.” The words eased the tightness in her chest. It was a relief to get them out, though Rex looked anything but relieved. He lowered his head to gaze at her again.
“I never forgot you,” he said slowly, carefully drawing out each word.
“Miss Sedgwick?” Mr. Graves loomed past Rex’s left shoulder. “I can’t say I am surprised to find you at a museum.”
“Mr. Graves.” May smiled at the older man and stepped toward him, though Graves’s eyes locked on her companion. Rex had turned to face the man, and May drew in a steadying breath before beginning introductions.
“Mr. Graves, may I introduce Mr. Rex Leighton.”
The older man’s gray eyebrows winged up. He recognized Rex. May saw it in his gaze.
“Mr. Graves is my father’s business partner. He’s been in charge of managing the New York store for many years.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Rex reached out his hand. “You’re a long way from home, sir.”
“As are you, Mr. Leighton.”
The two men began a surprisingly amicable exchange regarding the oddities of conducting business as Americans in London. It was all very well that the two had discovered common ground, but May thought only of whether Graves would tell her father she’d spent the morning bickering with Rex in front of the British Museum, when he expected her to be on an outing with Lord Devenham and his sister.
One of the great advantages of Mr. Graves’s visit to London was that he kept her father occupied. The two were continually off together conducting business meetings with potential investors for the London branch of Sedgwick’s they hoped to establish. Yet it also meant they talked daily, and Graves would doubtlessly feel duty bound to tell her father he’d seen them together.
“We’re meeting the Earl of Devenham and his sister for a browse through the collections,” May offered, anxiety causing her voice to pitch higher. If her father was going to hear this story, she wished him to know all the details.
“Then I’ll leave you to it.” Mr. Graves approached her, drew up to her elbow, and whispered, “I’ve been keeping your father’s secrets for years, Miss Sedgwick. I’m quite capable of discretion.” He tipped his head and offered her a reassuring grin. “Enjoy your visit to the museum.”
Rex’s coat sleeve brushed hers when he drew up next to her. “Not nearly as bad as you expected, was it?”
“He may still tell my father.”
“I don’t think so.” Rex shook his head. “He seems a decent man.”
“He is.” May watched Mr. Graves as he entered the museum. “Quite a savvy business man too. Not nearly as reckless as my father. He’s been teaching me about managing Sedgwick’s. I think he believes I’ll take over from my father one day.” She didn’t think it prudent to tell Rex or anyone about Mr. Graves’s fears for the shop’s future.
“Will you?” He asked the question without a hint of derision. As if he truly believed she could step into her father’s shoes.
She scoffed, and laughter bubbled up. His question touched too closely on wishes she hadn’t expressed to anyone but Em. Notions she’d been doing her best to squelch.
Slanting his head to the side, Rex watched her a moment and then asked, “Has Sedgwick really insisted that you not speak to me?”
“Don’t sound so surprised.” May turned to gaze up at him. “He’s wary of your intentions.” When Rex smirked, she rushed on. “Not that you have any intentions toward me.”
“Don’t I?”
Pulling away from him, May spun to face him and placed her hands on her hips. “Do you?”
The longer Rex took to answer, the fiercer the fluttering that had begun tickling in her belly. His answer mattered far too much.
“My main intention regarding you is to keep my distance.” His mouth flattened and the muscles of his face tensed, as if he was gritting his teeth. He swept a look down the length of her body and swallowed hard. “But I can’t seem to manage it.”
He took a step toward her, as if to prove his words. “I’m not sure I want to.”
Neither do I.What she wanted was dangerous to her heart. Scandalous to her reputation. She wanted him to kiss her, in public, on the front colonnade of the British Museum, in view of London and Mr. Graves and whoever might chance to see.
As if he read the sentiment in her head, his gaze fixed on her mouth.
“Leighton. May. Forgive us for being late.” Henry’s voice splashed over her like chilled water, and May stumbled back from Rex.
