Page 77 of A Duke for Stealing
“So,” Everett whispered after a while, “Whyareyou wearing trousers?”
Rose rolled her eyes and then turned to face him.
“Why? Do I look foolish?”
His lips almost quirked into a smile.
“I did not say that,” he replied.
She glowered at him, then drew in a calming breath.
How had she forgotten how annoying he could be?
Then she realized that this could be her opportunity.
“I am wearing trousers because I have not seen you since we returned from the Masquerade,” she answered honestly. “I had hoped to convince you to go horseback riding with me.”
Everett almost looked guilty at her words, but he did not respond. Instead, his gaze simply dropped to the floor.
“Youareavoiding me,” Rose realized aloud.
“I have work,” Everett quickly responded, his eyes flicking back up to hers.
“I know you well enough to know when you lie,” Rose countered. “Something is wrong.”
For a moment, Everett just stared at her, then he slowly nodded his head as his throat bobbed.
“Yes,” he admitted.
“Then talk to me,” she urged.
“You would not understand.”
If she were not trying so hard to keep quiet, Rose would have laughed.
“You do not know that I would not understand,” she replied, “I have been through much. You know this. As I know, you have also been through much. We are married, we are friends, we-”
Everett did laugh, and it was a cold sound that had her pausing.
“You think we are friends?” He asked.
Rose felt her heart clench. She crossed her arms over her chest, as if to nurse the sudden discomfort.
“After our wedding, after how I spoke out for you…you said we were,” she replied.
More hurt moved through her heart as Everett remained silent.
“Do you not believe that now?” She asked, and hated that her voice broke.
“If we were just friends, you would not melt under touch,” Everett replied, his voice raw with vehemency.
He stepped toward her, and Rose took a step back.
“If we werejust friends,I would not know how you taste between your creamy thighs, and I would not crave it as a predator craves its prey,” he went on, his voice deepening as his eyes glittered with need.
“Everett,” she whispered.
Her body reacted instantly to his words. Suddenly, she was hot, uncomfortable in her clothes.
