if he had no intention of dismissing her, but perhaps the clear insanity that had taken over last night was continuing into the day, and he simply meant he didn't want anyone at all. Perhaps the hours in that bed had been so boring he'd decided he'd rather have no...disporting at all.
She managed to shut her eyes again just before he pushed the curtains open, trying to keep her breathing still and shallow. She could smell coffee, surely the most delicious smell in the entire world, could practically feel its heat underneath her nose.
"You may as well open your eyes, precious," he said in that thoroughly annoying, enticing drawl of his. "I know you're awake."
She opened one eye to stare at him balefully. "Of course I'm awake. Who wouldn't be with you wafting hot coffee underneath their nose?"
"If you want some you're going to have to sit up," he said, handing her the delicate bone-china cup before moving away. He was dressed, at least partially, in breeches and a loose white shirt, and his long golden hair was tied at the back of his neck. He hadn't been shaved yet—the servant must be coming back. That was when she would leave. Thank God, she told herself.
She pulled the sheet up around her breasts and managed to sit up without spilling the coffee. She took a first sip and felt the blissful strength of it dance through her veins. He was across the room, his back to her, which was a relief. What in the world could they discuss, given the situation?
Literature?
She let out a convincing yawn. "Did I miss your servant? Is it morning yet?"
He turned back. "What you mean is, am I willing to let you go yet?"
She would hardly be stupid enough to deny it. "Of course.”
"He'll be back. In the meantime, I had him bring you a bath. I thought you'd find it soothing before you left."
Before she left. He'd warned her, hadn't he? One night only.
And really, this was a good thing. The sooner she got back to her normal life the sooner she could begin pulling herself back together.
The coffee was suddenly bitter. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, leaned forward and set the half-empty cup on the table. "A bath would be lovely,” she said in an even voice, starting to rise.
She'd overestimated her own resiliency. The moment she got to her feet she felt her balance begin to waver, the shadow-lit room turned into pools of black in front of her eyes and she wondered if she was going to do the most embarrassing thing she could possibly imagine and fall face-first in a dead faint, directly at Adrian Rohan's bare feet.
He moved, fast and graceful, his hand catching her arm as she started to waver, as the sheet started to slip. She grabbed for it, almost going over, and he quickly caught it in one hand, yanking it up around her.
Which didn't mate things any easier, she thought gloomily. Now he didn't even want to look at her.
Not that she could blame him. She was hardly in the same class as most of the women he'd bedded.
The idea startled her. She was now simply another one of the women Adrian Rohan had bedded.
Part of a vast number, no doubt, and easily forgotten. By the next time she saw him he'd have moved on to someone else and forgotten all about her. After all, how could he keep track...?
"Are you going to just stand there or would you like a bath?” He sounded surprisingly patient, almost amused.
She glanced over at the tub. It was huge—and steam was rising in wafts over the cloth-draped sides. "I'm waiting for you to leave."
"We're locked in again. I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm not sure I quite believe in these locks of yours."
He gestured toward the door, his grip on her sheet loosening, and she felt it begin to descend. "See for yourself," he offered as she quickly gathered the falling material back around her body.
"I'm not going to take off this sheet in front of you."
"Modesty," he said with a sigh. "Such a wasted value. What if I promise to keep my back turned?"
"Why should I believe you?"
"Why shouldn't you?"
That silenced her. Indeed, why shouldn't she? It wasn't as if he'd made any effort to touch her, to kiss her, to continue the seduction of the night before. Though come to think of it, once you'd been bedded was seduction even an issue anymore?
"Turn