A sigh left Alex when Dorian’s arms finally came around her. His touch was light and hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to hold her.
But then his hands splayed upon her back and he pulled her close, holding on as if she were the only thing keeping him from shattering into a million pieces.
She knew that feeling all too well. So many nights she had lain in bed wishing she had someone to hold her as she struggled to pick up the broken pieces of her heart—and her life.
Even though she embraced Dorian to give him support, his hold was giving her comfort as well.
Alex never had anyone treat her with such reverence, with such fervor that it made her eyes prick with tears. Not once had Dorian flaunted his money, attempted to get her in bed, or assumed anything.
In short, it was the best day in a long, long time.
She closed her eyes and stood enfolded in his brawny embrace. For just a few moments, she didn’t feel as if she had to stand against the world. No matter how briefly, it gave her battered soul a reprieve she hadn’t realized she needed.
With each second that passed and they didn’t break apart, her spirit soared, her heart strengthened. Was this what it was for someone to like her for her and not her money or standing in society?
She reluctantly leaned back, putting a few inches between them, and looked up into Dorian’s soft brown eyes. His forehead was puckered in a small frown of consternation.
“You looked as if you needed a hug,” she said.
He swallowed, never breaking eye contact. “No one has ever done that before.”
“Then you’ve been around the wrong people.”
“I isolated myself.”
She let her hands slowly slide from his neck to his chest. “I remember doing that. It was getting out that made me see that the world moved on, indifferent and unsympathetic to my loss.”
“How long did you hide away?”
Alex was all too aware that his arms were still around her, still holding her. And she liked it. A lot. “A few months. How about you?”
“Considerably longer.”
That made her frown. “So you were close to your sister?”
“She was my only family. We were orphans, and she raised me. She sacrificed everything for me.”
That made Alex’s heart break even more. “There is nothing anyone can say that will dull the pain. I know loss well.”
There was a flash of something in his eyes, but he blinked and it was gone. She wished she knew what it was. But she also realized that Dorian wasn’t the type of man to spill his secrets easily.
If at all.
Perhaps that’s why she wanted to know more about him. Of all the men she knew, not a single one of them was as interesting or disarming as Dorian. Not to mention, he was easily the most handsome man she had ever seen—and that was saying something.
It suddenly became impossible to look in his eyes. She glanced away, then focused on a button of his shirt. The silence was deafening, and she searched for something, anything to fill it.
When she glanced up, he was staring at her. The longer their bodies remained touching, the more aware she was of a growing—and insistent—longing for his touch.
And a hunger for his kiss.
Her breasts swelled, her nipples puckered. Thank goodness her strapless bra was padded, otherwise he’d feel how needy she was.
“Where are the others?” Dorian asked.
She was so relieved to have something to say that her shoulders sagged. Besides, if she kept thinking about all the things she wanted to do with his body, she might lean up and kiss him.
“I sent them out when you rose from the table. I knew you needed privacy.”
“Why are you so kind?”
She was surprised at his question. “You ask that as if you expected something else.”
“I did. In my experience, people are no’ so pleasant.”
“Like I said earlier, you’ve been around the wrong people. Surely you’re not speaking of those at Dreagan.”
He gave a single shake of his head.
“You quite confound me,” she confessed. “When I look at you, I see someone who hasn’t just experienced great pain, but someone who is incredibly worldly. I used to think I was experienced, but then I met you.”
He quirked a blond brow. That one single action spoke volumes that words never could.
“I’ve traveled the world several times, but you’ve seen more,” she continued. “Haven’t you?”
His thumb slowly moved against her spine. “I suppose you could say that.”
“I dreaded today, but now I want to stop time so you won’t leave.” She couldn’t believe the words had left her mouth, but now that they were said, she was glad of it.
Surprise flickered in his eyes. “Then I’ll stay. Tell me when you’ve had enough, and I’ll leave.”
“Just like that?”
One side of his lips lifted in the slightest of grins. “Aye, lass. Just like that.”
“I don’t suppose we can stand here in each other’s arms.”
“Why no’? Are you no’ comfortable?”
She was mesmerized by his seductive voice, his enthralling eyes, and his arousing touch. Somehow, during their conversation he had pulled her closer. It had been so gradual she didn’t realize it until her breasts were pressed against him.
“I didn’t say that,” she whispered.
He was going to kiss her. She could see it, feel it. And she wanted it. Desperately. She ached for it, yearned for it.
Then, he suddenly released her and took a step back. It was so unexpected that Alex found herself pitching forward so that he had to grab her. She was mortified. How could she have read that wrong? She’d seen the desire in his eyes, of that she was sure.
“What would you like to do?” Dorian asked after he’d steadied her.
Alex looked at the floor, wishing she hadn’t made such a fool of herself. “Umm...”
And then she couldn’t seem to talk. She didn’t know where her brain or ability to speak had gone, but she wished they’d return. She didn’t like whatever was happening to her, especially not with someone that she liked.
Damn. She did like him.
She should have recognized that when she said she didn’t want the day to end, but it had been so long since she wanted to be with a man that it had taken her by surprise.
“We could have dessert,” Dorian offered.
“Yes.”
He escorted her back to their table, then asked, “What kind of dessert do you usually eat?”
Once more, her brain went blank.
His blond brow rose again. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. I don’t normally eat sweets. Mostly because once I start, I can’t stop. So I don’t order them or stock anything in the house.”
He leaned his head to the side after he filled his glass with more whisky. “What’s wrong with eating something you enjoy?”
His question was so honest, so candid that she laughed. “The simple answer is to make sure I don’t gain weight.”
Dorian gave a shake of his head. “Who cares about that?”
“With every picture of me that is posted in the papers or social media, someone makes a comment about my hair, my makeup, my expression, or if I happen to be slouching, the size of my stomach.”
“Tell them to bugger off.”
Oh, if only she could. “It doesn’t work that way.”
“Sure it does. Besides, why do you care what others think?”
“I... Well, I don’t know. For as long as I can remember, my parents would show me pictures of myself and tell me to stand straight or tell me what hair style and cut flattered me. They said if I was going to be photographed that I should look good.”
“The way I see it, there is always going to be someone who isna happy with their life. They feel the need to take it out on others because they’re jealous. You’re no’ just beautiful and an heiress, but have men lined up wanting you. To an outsider, you have it all.”
She often told herself that, but it still didn’t make the nasty comments easier to stomach. But really, she couldn’t get past the fact that he’d called her beautiful.
“Why do you read their comments, anyway?” he asked.
She shrugged and accepted the menu of desserts from the waiter who appeared out of nowhere. “Probably because I know I shouldn’t. But mostly because I can’t seem to help myself. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment.”
“Nay, lass. You want people to like you.”
That was exactly what it was, but she had never told anyone, nor intended to admit it. Then Dorian spoke her secret aloud. “Yes.”
He gave a nod to the menu. “I expect you to order at least one thing, but feel free to order everything.”
Alex pressed her lips together as she smiled. This really was the best day. Dorian kept surprising her with his comments and the seemingly endless way he read her.
If only she knew more about him.
She ordered the lemon tart, and when Dorian’s brow quirked, she found herself ordering the slice of turtle cheesecake as well.
Then he ordered the rest of the menu. Alex laughed, wishing the day could go on forever.
When Dorian raised the bottle of Dreagan in offering, she nodded. She wasn’t much of a whisky drinker, but with him she felt the need to branch out and do things she wouldn’t normally.
It felt good, freeing. And she really should do it more often.
“Tell me about Dreagan,” she urged as she lifted the snifter to her nose and breathed in the heady fragrance.
He ignored her question and instead asked one of his own. “What do you smell?”
Alex took another deep inhale, letting the scents fill her. She closed her eyes and let the whisky envelop her. “There is a distinct woodiness about it. And wet, fallen leaves. Maybe a bit of apple and caramel. And sherry. Definitely sherry.”
“Now taste it,” he urged in a deep voice that sent shivers through her.
Without hesitation she brought the glass to her lips and let the liquid pass over her tongue and down her throat.
“What do you taste?”
She licked her lips and opened her eyes to find his gaze on her mouth. His eyes jerked upward, but it made her stomach quiver. “The sherry flavor I smelled, and apples. Also a hint of smokiness, which I really like. But it’s the lingering woodsy flavor that I truly enjoy.”
As she spoke, his eyes heated. “Do you want more?”
“Very much.” And she wondered how the whisky would taste on his lips.
His mouth curved into a grin that made her heart skip a beat. The man truly had no idea of how the smallest things could affect her, and she was thankful for that.
Because if he knew, he could have her on her knees begging for his kiss in the next second.
Then again, if the day continued in this vein, she might do that on her own.