I know. However, when you’re with me you don’t have to.”
She didn’t say anything, deciding not to make an issue of it. “So, what’s on the agenda for tomorrow?” she asked, to change the subject.
“Hiking.”
She blinked. “Hiking?”
“Yes. Of course, you don’t have to go. You can sleep in if you like. But if you decide to join me, it’s best if we get an early start to beat the sun.”
Regan stared at him. They probably wouldn’t get home before midnight tonight, and he wanted to get up early? She didn’t have a problem being an early riser, but usually she would be in the bed early the night before, as well.
“Do you want to dance?”
Since she knew they would be hiking tomorrow, it would have been a good idea to suggest they return to the château. However, a part of her refused to give up a chance to dance with him. “Yes.”
Garth stood and offered her his hand. Placing her wineglass down, she took his hand and he led her to the dance floor. She felt a tingling sensation just from touching him. She knew things were about to get hotter being in his arms.
He drew her to him, and she felt comfortable with her body meshed to his. When he began moving, she automatically followed. She loved remembering the last time they’d danced together. Now, tonight, she would have new memories.
He still held her hand in his, against his chest. Seemingly against his heart. “Did you enjoy the opera?”
She looked up at him when she wanted more than anything to place her face on his chest and draw in his scent. “Yes, what about you?”
“Yes, but I admit to watching you a lot.”
Her eyes widened. She hadn’t known. “Why?”
“Seeing the happiness on your face was priceless. I could tell you were really enjoying yourself.”
A smile spread across her lips. “Yes, I was. But it doesn’t sound as if you were if you were watching me.”
“I enjoy watching you.”
She swallowed deeply. “Why?”
“I just do.”
A part of her wanted to ask him to be more specific, but she decided not to. The music would be coming to an end soon and she wanted to savor being in his arms while dancing. He then placed his hands around her waist. Was she imagining things or were his fingers at her waist nudging their bodies closer? Or was her body just naturally moving closer to his?
The music was a slow Spanish concerto. Garth was an excellent dancer and she followed his lead. He’d said he enjoyed looking at her. Was there more to it than that? Was she wrong to hope there was? Was she wasting her time even thinking such a thing?
At that moment she really didn’t want to spend a lot of time thinking. Instead she wanted to bask in the feel of being in his arms.
So she rested her head on his chest.
Garth glanced down at Regan. He liked the feel of her head resting against his shoulder. He doubted she knew how many times tonight he’d thought about kissing her. He had admitted to not being able to keep his eyes off her and that would have been the perfect opportunity for him to tell her how much he desired her, ached for her.
But he hadn’t.
However, he would—just not now, not here.
He was tired of resisting.
She lifted her head from his chest and her gaze locked with his. For the longest time, they stared at each other. Sexual hunger took over every part of his being. Surrendering to a primitive force he could no longer fight, he lowered his head to hers. Their mouths were a breath apart when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He swung his head around.
“May I cut in?”
Maybe Garth should have felt grateful that the man’s untimely arrival had stopped him from kissing Regan in the middle of the dance floor, but he didn’t. All he felt was a high degree of annoyance. “No, you can’t.”
Dismissing the man’s presence, Garth turned to Regan. “I’m ready to leave.”
She nodded. “So am I.”
Twenty minutes later, Garth brought the car to a stop in front of the château. He noticed Regan hadn’t said anything since leaving the opera house. Was she upset with him for behaving like a Neanderthal with that guy who’d wanted to dance with her? Acting territorial, as if he had every right to do so?
“Are you upset with me?” he asked. He wanted to know now, before they went inside.
She glanced over