Part 31 (2/2)
”Well, if you're sure-”
”I am,” she said, her voice firm. ”Be with the people you love.”
But he was beginning to suspect he was there already. That she was the one he loved above all others.
He held his tongue and drank a swallow of hot coffee instead.
Maybe she didn't feel the same.
Maybe she wanted him to go, to get some separation, since they were together so frequently. Perhaps she was growing tired of him?
He set his cup down with a clink.
”I won't be able to stay tonight,” he said. ”Mayhap I ought to go. Let you get some sleep.”
Some look he couldn't interpret flashed in her eyes before her lashes swept down. ”If that is what you'd prefer.” Her voice was even, emotionless. ”I am sure you could use a full night's sleep as well.”
”You're right. I could.”
Tossing down his napkin, he pushed back his chair and got to his feet. That's when he remembered, feeling the sight bulge in his coat pocket.
He dug inside and withdrew a slim, black velvet-covered box. ”Here. I know you don't want presents from me, but we did agree that Christmas was acceptable. This is for you.”
She took it but didn't open the lid. ”I have something for you as well. Wait here.”
Skirts billowing around her ankles, she hurried from the room into her bedchamber next door. She returned quickly, a rectangular-shaped object in hand. It was wrapped in white paper, a red grosgrain ribbon tied around it in a bow.
”It's not a great deal, but I hope you like it nonetheless,” she told him, her words faintly breathless. ”Promise you will not open it until Christmas.”
He met her eyes. ”I promise.”
”Well, I-suppose I ought to wish you good night and a safe journey,” she said, her hands linked tightly before her.
”Yes. Happy Christmas, Thalia, since I won't be able to say it to you on the day.”
”Merry Christmas, Leo. And a very happy New Year as well.”
A lump settled in his throat. ”Will you miss me at all?” he said harshly.
Surprise lit her eyes. ”Yes, of course. Every day.”
Seconds ticked past, the very air heavy with the emotion arcing between them.
Suddenly she was in his arms and he was kissing her, pouring everything he had into the embrace. He clutched her to him and lifted her off her feet, ravis.h.i.+ng her lips with fervid, almost desperate kisses.
She wasn't far behind, sinking her fingers into his hair, demanding every bit as much as he took. Opening her mouth, she slid her tongue against his with a wet, sinuous glide that made him shudder.
Rocking her against his straining shaft, he hitched her higher into his arms, his hands splayed against her rounded bottom. His hold secure, he carried her to the bedroom.
She bounced lightly against the mattress as he laid her down on her back. Tossing her skirts to her waist, he stepped between her legs, then yanked off his coat before moving quickly to unfasten his falls.
Without any further preamble he was inside her, lodged hard and hot and deep. She clasped him like a velvet glove, one that seemed to have been fas.h.i.+oned expressly for him.
She arched and took more, took everything.
And he gave it back, thrusting inside her until both of them were wild, until she climaxed with a pleasure so intense her fingernails bit into his skin in a way he was sure would leave marks.
Then he claimed his own satisfaction.
He lay over her in the aftermath, waiting for his racing heart to slow. He brushed damp tendrils of hair away from her face and kissed her slowly, softly.
”I suppose I should go,” he said after a while.
”Hmm, I suppose you should. You need to sleep, remember?”
”Do I?” He kissed her again, more pa.s.sionately this time. ”I can sleep later.”
She curved a leg higher around his waist and kissed him. ”So can I.”
Thalia awakened in the dark of the night to the sensation of Leo's lips moving against hers. Looping her arms around his neck to kiss him back, she realized that he was fully dressed and leaning over her instead of lying beside her in the bed.
”Sorry to wake you, but I didn't want to leave without saying good-bye,” he said.
His features were dimly lit, the room illuminated only by the low-burning embers in the fireplace. Still, she caught a glint of the green in his eyes, memorizing it to think about later.
”What time is it?”
”About four.”
Her heart gave a painful squeeze; she tightened her hold. ”Then you must go. Be safe.”
He kissed her again. ”See you in three weeks.”
”Yes. In three weeks. Don't forget your present.”
”I won't. Thalia, I-”
”What?”
He paused, then shook his head. ”Nothing. Go back to sleep and dream happy dreams.”
She would dream, but she didn't think they would be happy ones, not with him away. So rather than answer, she kissed him, putting all her pa.s.sion, all her sorrow at their parting into the embrace.
With a few words, she could stop him from leaving. She could keep him here with her.
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