Page 12 of Sweet Siren
He brushed her skirts to one side and lowered his voice as Lily and Julian climbed into the large town carriage. "What if I offered you a bargain? One that was more thanfair."
She stared at him, her expression saying she did not believehim.
"You would win in all but onething."
She grabbed a breath. "I suppose to be sporting I'd have toagree."
"Want to hearit?"
She turned away, laughing. "Yes. Tellme."
"Whatever you want, it’s yours. But in return, I must have two thingsonly."
Lily settled into the opposite seat and her husband followed, sitting beside her. Shesighed.
"I'm glad the evening was not much longer. I'm really quiteexhausted."
Her husband cupped her face, brushing her cheek with his thumb. "We'll be home soon and then you'll go to bed to sleep as long as youwant."
"Thank goodness," Lily breathed and put her head on her husband's shoulder, then shut hereyes.
Boulevard Haussmann was only a few minutes away from the Rue di Rivoli. Lily and Julian were out of the carriage quickly, bidding them goodevening.
Killian told the coachman to wait a moment. "Where to,Olivia?"
She gave him the name of her hotel and they were off again in the enveloping silence of a crisp autumn Parisiannight.
"You said, you must win in all but two things. Tell me," she said, her gaze fully in his, "What theyare."
"The pleasure of yourcompany."
She huffed. Considered her folded hands in her lap. "I don't think I've given you muchpleasure."
"Youcould."
She stiffened her spine. "I can't imaginehow."
"Laugh with me," he said. "Carefree, you areirresistible."
Her dark gaze melted into his. "I am not carefree. And I laughinfrequently."
"All the more reason for me to find ways to make you smile atme."
She gave a rueful shake of herhead.
He tried for more. "Play Chopin forme."
She squeezed shut her eyes indenial.
How to win her over?"Dine withme."
"No."
"With others. Family. In public. Aproper—"
"No."
That last was emphatic. Nigh untovehement.
