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Paladin 52

Erik continued to play with the single loose strand of Sophia's dark hair. The sensation was enticing to her in ways that she couldn't describe. Her stomach tightened somewhere lower than she'd ever felt before, a curious tightening that left her breathless.

She felt somewhat silly now that she had confessed her fears, but after she revealed her insecurities Erik had done the same. The shame in his lowered gaze caught her unaware, as Sophia saw no reason for him to be embarrassed. She knew why he was no Don Juan, no living, breathing Greek god, and she didn't care. Perhaps he didn't see it, but she did. Her attraction for him was nestled somewhere between the tone of his voice, his gentle touch, and his enigmatic gaze. There was the man she wanted to hold her and kiss her.

His finger grazed her chin, lifting her lips to his. Each time their mouths met, Sophia felt the unknown depths of her stomach grow warm, a fire rising, traveling through her arms and legs. Struggling to behave as a lady, she measured her movements at first, but when she felt his hands travel up the length of her back, she wanted nothing more than to surrender to his caress.

Erik's lips parted and Sophia followed his wordless commands. Her fingers pressed into his shoulders, her hips moving forward to bring her torso against his. She felt Erik straighten slightly in surprise, but just as soon as she thought he would pull away from her, he held her tighter, one hand moving from her back to her arm and along her shoulder.

Sophia's breath caught in her throat and her eyes fluttered open. Head swimming, she wanted to cry out as Erik's hand dipped from her neck down her chest. His palm grazed over the hardened peak of her breast, the sensation catching her by surprise, her delight and sudden confusion leaving her mouth in a half-sigh, half-groan that was far louder than she had intended.

Erik's hand instantly pulled away and rested innocently on her shoulder. "Have I hurt you?" he asked, his voice low and husky. The concern in his eyes was genuine, his grip turning soft and reluctant.

Sophia pursed her lips and shook her head, her voice unwilling to emerge.

She glanced at the clock and cleared her throat. "My brother will return soon, if he hasn't already."

Erik turned away as well. "There is dessert remaining," he said.

Sophia's stomach flipped in her belly as he showed her to her seat again and uncovered a little pastry topped with sweet, creamy icing.

"I see Citrine has been creating her own recipes again," Sophia said as she sat, knowing that she should have been on her way home rather than eating dessert.

"I've never cared much for sweets," he replied.

Sophia's eyes widened. "I have."

Erik smiled at her, his mood obviously changed from how she had previously seen him. His eyes appeared brighter, the tense lines in his forehead disappearing.

"Here," he said, taking the fork in his hand.

Sophia sat with her hands folded in her lap. She stared at the fork coming toward her mouth, the spongy cake glistening with honey. She smelled the sugar in the fluffy icing and parted her lips.

"This will make you reconsider your stance on sweets," Sophia said as she licked her lips.

"Good?"

She nodded. "Amazing. It will probably leave me with a stomach ache, but I think it's worth it. Try some."

Erik cut a small bite for himself as his eyes flickered toward Sophia. Her heart, which had just begun to settle, started to race once more. There was a question in his gaze, a hint of daring in his green eyes. Sophia, however, couldn't possibly feed him. Her hands were shaking, clammy, and weighted down like rocks in her lap. She turned away and coyly waited for him to sample Citrine's dessert.

"It is good," Erik said.

Sophia turned and smiled, watching as he dabbed his mouth with his napkin. "Yes, very good."

"But I'm still not one for sweets."

She frowned and batted her eyes. "You are a difficult man to convince," she said playfully. There was a small dab of honey on the corner of his mouth that was driving her mad. Leaning forward, she brought her hand to his face and he flinched, his eyes closing as though he expected pain.

"Honey," she said. "On the corner of your mouth."

Erik didn't move, giving Sophia the chance to brush the drip of sticky sweetness from his lips. The moment the tip of her thumb touched his mouth he caught her hand by the wrist and locked his eyes on hers.

Neither of them moved, though Sophia felt her blood running like fire, her senses stirred by his hot, steady breaths against her index finger. Her lips parted, stomach tightening in the most delightful panic she had ever felt.

Slowly—agonizingly slowly, Sophia noted—he brought her thumb to his lips and tasted the honey sweetness left behind. Kissing her thumb, his eyes closed, his long, dark eyelashes creating a fringe along the lids. He had magnificent eyes, she thought. So much sadness, so much expression, and so much heart like nothing she had ever seen in another person.

With a barely visible smile, Erik released Sophia's hand and she looked away, unsure of what to do. Her heart was sputtering, barely able to keep up with the rush of blood coursing through her veins. She heard Erik's breathing grow harder as she cut another slice of the pastry, scooped more icing on top of it, and brought it to his lips.

Two could play at this silent, tantalizing game.

"I shall convince you," she said softly as his lips closed around the fork.

Her eyes locked on his strong jaw and the definition of his dimpled chin. She hadn't noticed that his skin appeared freshly shaved, though she did recall how smooth his flesh felt against hers.

When she pulled the utensil away, they stared at one another for a moment. His cheeks were flushed and Sophia felt her face do the same.

"It has been a pleasure dining with you, Erik," Sophia said, not knowing what else to say.

Erik rose to his feet and helped Sophia to hers. He grasped her hands and searched her eyes.

"The pleasure," he said, his voice low and hypnotizing, "has been all mine, Sophia."

With one last kiss, he offered to walk her home.