How to Steal a Thief's Heart - Bree Wolf Page 0,87

back and she all but fell forward…and into his arms.

Gathering her close, Pierce refused to release her. “What were you doing with him?” he asked yet again, his hands tensing where they lay on the small of her back. “I saw you at Hyde Park. You looked…” He swallowed hard, and his jaw clenched.

Caroline felt the rapid beating of his heart against her palm where it lay against his chest and instantly sought to free herself, completely unhinged by the feel of him so close. Still, the harder she shoved against him, the tighter he held her. “Release me!” she snapped, knowing it to be a futile demand.

One hand moved to grasp her chin, tilting her head upward. “What were you doing with him?” His gaze locked on hers.

Caroline swallowed as she leaned back, trying to keep at least a little bit of distance between them. “What is it to you?”

A snarl contorted his face. “How can you ask me that? Do you not remember what he’s done? Do you not care?”

Furious, Caroline tried to jerk her chin free, but to no avail. “Of course, I care!” she growled as her right hand grasped his wrist, hoping to dislodge his hand. “Do you truly think I was with him because I chose to be?”

At her words, his muscles went slack, and Caroline took the opportunity to free herself. Breathing fast, she stumbled backward a few steps. “My spectacles,” she demanded, holding out her hand palm-up.

“What happened?” Pierce inquired, his brows rising as he lifted her spectacles in his hand, making it clear that he wanted a trade.

Caroline huffed out an annoyed breath. “That is none of your concern,” she insisted stubbornly.

His jaw clenched, then he slowly shook his head.

“Fine,” Caroline snapped. “Keep them!” Then she spun on her heels and, before he could interfere, rushed from the front hall toward the terrace. The thought of being surrounded by people in that moment was loathsome to her. But it was the only way she knew he would not follow, would not address her again.

And she needed time to think.

To gather her wits.

To find a way to…to breathe without that pain in her chest.

If that was even possible.

Chapter Thirty-Two

To Help Another

Pierce could have screamed in frustration.

His hand balled around her delicate spectacles, and he had to caution himself not to crush them as he felt the wire starting to surrender under the pressure of his hand.

Slipping them into his pocket, he ran his fingers through his hair as he paced the front hall in quick, angry strides. What on earth had just happened? Why had she been so furious with him?

Pierce could not deny that it riled him that the ease that had developed between them seemed to have disappeared. Even in the beginning, even when they had stood like opponents across from one another, they had been able to talk. Always had they spoken their minds, teased each other, riled each other.

Never had she evaded him.

Not like today.

Not as though he did not matter, as though she wished him gone with a fierceness that rivaled his longing for her.

Although Pierce knew that seeing her without being able to go near her would be utter torture, he could not bring himself to stay way. Fighting for composure, he returned to the terrace, his gaze sweeping over the many guests, laughing and chatting, enjoying a beautiful day.

When he finally spotted her, he was surprised to see that she was with her parents, a sure way to keep him at bay. The moment their eyes met, he knew that she had done so purposefully. She truly didn’t wish to speak with him.

“I assume you didn’t tell her you loved her,” Charlaine commented as she came to stand beside him, her gaze lingering on Caroline and her parents for a moment before it moved to him. “Otherwise, she would not be so furious.” Her gaze narrowed as she tugged on his arm to make him look at her. “What did you say to her?”

Pierce swallowed and met her warm, brown eyes, now glaring at him as though she, too, wished to rip his head off his shoulders. “I will not discuss this with you,” he said quietly, finding it hard to keep his voice low and his body from jerking uncontrollably with frustration.

“Well, you should discuss it with her,” Charlaine retorted, then she reached out and grasped his hand, her eyes sorrowful as they looked up into his. “Sometimes loss cannot be remedied,” she whispered,