Page 53 of Sweet Siren
Chapter 12
The horses clompedtheir way along the cobbles along the Marine Parade. Killian had given the cabbie her address. The driver, curse him, chose a quick route. Even the crowds conspired because everyone in Brighton seemed to have deserted the streets and returned home as the sun sank in thesky.
Killian hated to let Liv go. Their day had been perfect. She had been perfect. A companion who laughed and joked. One who forgot to look around her at every corner to see whom she might know. But he could not dismiss the questions her previous actions raised. They nagged at him. Was she afraid of who might see him? Or them together? Or who would disapprove ofhim?
He could think noother.
Yet, during the afternoon, she'd been on pins and needles less and less until in the pub minutes ago, she had forgotten herqualms.
At the aquarium, in front of the sea lion exhibit, she'd taken her usual cursory assessment of the crowd and discovered no one who put her on guard. Afterward, he'd led her along the walkway on the beach. No one there made her wary, either, thank god. He bought them lemon ices from a stall and, like children, they propped themselves up against a large boulder as they ate and watched the world walk by. The winds caught her glorious hair, lifting long enticing red tendrils of it from her pins and transforming her into a younger woman who laughed up at the sun and on a jolly Saturday outing, sparred with hersuitor.
If she didn't yet consider him a suitor, he told himself to be patient. Today had been the launch of his plan to learn if she cared for him. He'd been lonely in London, missing her spontaneous laugh, her quick wit and those devastating moments when she sat simply caressing him with her dark enticinggaze.
He grinned to himself and forced himself to look out the window. She definitely did care for him. He noted how often and how carefully—and maddeningly—she had to pull back her hand when she reached out to touch him. Restraining herself at the last moment of realization made her eyes widen,her long red brows arch. Surprising herself, she could not stop herself from drowning in his fond regard for her. Watching him, she'd let her mouth fall open with desire, and catching herself, she'd lick her lips in need of his own.So much fortoday.
Tomorrow, he'd walk with her to church, if she wished to go. He'd buy her lunch again and find some other activity to keep her by his side. He'd make a picnic for the cliff, just like she'd done as a child with her husband's family. Monday, they'd go to the draper. He'd want to talk with the stone masons. And what would he do with her Tuesday? Take her dancing. If they had dance halls open on Tuesday nights, would she allow his arms around her? Would she waltz? Would she remain in his arms, her luscious body, firm and strong, lining his, luring his? He grew hot, filled with the urge to press her near. But if he crossed the carriage to sit beside her, she'dwithdraw.
Tomorrow, man. Tomorrow.Or the next day, he'd kiss her, embrace her, show her that she fit him physically, emotionally. And after that, he'd ask once more if she'd come to Paris. For business. Forpleasure.
"Come spend the week with me," he'd offer.Let me pamper you and please you as you deserve to be.She'd stay at the Grand Hotel near the Opera Garnier. Not with him in his house in Boulevard Haussmann. That was not appropriate. Not for what he ultimately wished forthem.
Which was...marriage?
Marrying anyone had not entered his mind. Not in all these years since Aileen died. Why now? Why this woman who had eluded him? Why this woman who gave him conflicting signs that she cared for him, but didn't care enough to wish himclose?
She challenged him. Thwarted him. Few women ever did. For her strength, he valued her. For her tenacity to build a profession, he admired her. For her generosity to his family, he praisedher.
But did he loveher?
He might. Hemight.
"Thank you for today, Killian," she said, intruding on his reverie. "I've never drunk so muchbeer."
He'd taken her to a pub where women were welcome and the beef and mash went down all too easily with beer from the keg. "That pub has been in business since your KingCharles."
"How do youknow?"
"When I was here, first looking at properties, I toured the town. This pub I like a lot. They know a bit about feeding the masses. Even inviting women inside the backparlor."
"I'll have to let out my corsettomorrow."
Or leave it off entirely.Lest his lecherous thoughts show on his face, he nodded at the street. "Almosthome."
She cast her eyes to the floor of thecab.
"Would you like to go to church with me tomorrowmorning?"
She got that haunted look in her eyes. "No. Thankyou."
"Well, then afterward. I shall call for you. Noon." He couldn't allow her to dismiss him one more time. "We'll go to dine at theAlbion."
"No. You'll come to my house fordinner."
The surprise of her intimate offer overjoyed him. "Youcook?"
She cocked a brow at him. "I do. Quite well, actually. What do youlike?"
"Roast beef. Potatoes, carrots. Anything. Everything.”You.
