Page 36 of If the Slipper Fits
He shrugged.
She pulled her hand free and crossed her arms over her chest.“What is this tell, then?”
His lips twitched. “As if I’d reveal my one advantage.”
“You’re bluffing.”
In the warm glow of the wall lamps lining the corridor his thick hair gleamed and his eyes sparkled like blue gems. “On the contrary, Jones. One thing you should know about me is that I notice things.”
He moved closer, and instinct had her retreating backwards ’til her back collided with the wall and they stood toe to toe. The chill of cold plaster permeated her gown, a sharp contrast to the heat pulsing through her.
She drew a bracing breath and the scent of him, a subtle mix of spice and warm male skin teased her already enlivened senses. “You’re claiming you noticed things about me?"
He nodded once.
Curiosity burned through her. “Such as?”
“I know you have a penchant for fine shoes, and an abominable collection of over-large bonnets which you garner like a shield. I know you prefer to keep to yourself, which probably explains how you won the affections of your employer, the noted recluse, with whom you share anti-social tendencies. I know you indulge in regular morning walks.” He leaned closer and his voice lowered. “And you always smell like flowers and elegance and mystery.”
She licked her lips. “Mystery?”
His eyes tracked the movement, like a cat stalking a mouse. “Definitely.”
A terrible craving for the damnably charming rake to kiss her threatened to topple all her good intentions. She wanted to close her eyes, twine her fingers around his neck, and feel his mouth pressed to hers. How did he do that?
He traced one finger along a tendril of her hair, and her insides quivered. “You’re a mystery I can’t help wanting to unravel.” His voice lowered to a rough whisper. “You could always share. Your secrets are safe with me.”
His words, his nearness, his bloody irresistible magnetism wiped out any coherent thought in her head savekiss me.
Heat swirled in his blue eyes. “Your face tells me how badly you want me to kiss you. Yet if you could leave this very minute and never lay eyes on me again, I’ve no doubt but that you would. You arouse and confound me.” He leaned forward, bracing one forearm on the wall beside her head. “Anna, say something.”
Emotions tangled inside her, robbing her of reason. “I…” She peeled her gaze from his too-handsome face and peered over his shoulder though the open doorway directly across the corridor. “I think…”
“Yes?” His face lowered incrementally toward hers.
“…I see a feather,” she squeaked.
He closed his eyes briefly before shifting aside. “Of course you do. Kindly lead the way.”
Chapter Eight
Anna sprang off the wall and crossed the hall, desperate to put space between herself and Caden. Keeping her wits about her seemed entirely reliant on keeping him at arm’s length at a minimum.
The smell of sweet dried flowers and herbs greeted her as she entered the chamber. Low burning wall lamps framing a closed, shuttered window provided enough light to illuminate the space.
Silver and pale-rose striped paper covered the walls. To the right a woman’s escritoire stood open, paper and writing implements neatly laid out on its surface. To the left a small settee, armchair and side table made up a modest sitting area. Behind her, a narrow bookshelf filled with slim, leather-bound books covered most of the wall. Add to the furnishing a very feminine decor, and she concluded she’d wandered into a ladies office.
She strode to an ornate, oriental floor vase containing an arrangement of dried eucalyptus, cat tails, and ostrich feathers. Careful not to disturb the rest, she withdrew one feather.
“We can check this box.” Smiling in triumph, she turned on her heel in time to witness Caden drawing the chamber’s heavy paneled door closed—or nearly so. He pressed one eye to the crack of space between the door and the door jam.
“What are you—”
“Shh.” Still peering into the hallway, he held one long finger behind him to staunch further protest. “One of the couples followed us,” he whispered. “I presume you don’t want them pilfering your cache of feathers.”
She hastened toward him. Rising on her tiptoes, she struggled in vain to see over his broad shoulder. “Would you…” She squirmed her way in front of him and put her eye to the crack. Then she sawhim. She gasped and jerked backward into Caden’s hard chest.
Lord Hardasherwasfollowing her.
