He pulled his gauntlets off and ran his hand over her ankle, seeing only a slight welt where the chair had caught her. He rubbed it gently, soothing the angry red skin with a touch.
She gasped and he looked up, realizing what he was doing. Was he blushing now? Didn't he outgrow that ten years ago?
No, it would seem that he hadn't.
Her eyes met his, and he was surprised to see something there that he'd never expected or imagined. Her lids had dropped, giving her a hooded, sensual look. His hand stilled on her leg, and he wanted more than anything in the world to stand up and kiss her blind.
Idly, as he looked at her, he let his thumb rock back and forth, caressing the welted skin. She gasped again, and he realized what he was doing.
He let go, reluctantly. He picked up her slipper and helped her put it back on.
Rising, he pulled her upright. "Okay to stand on it?"
She nodded, not speaking.
"Everyone accounted for?" his voice was gruff and she flinched. If only she knew why he couldn't control his voice… he would be defrocked and imprisoned.
Templars couldn't even look, much less touch!
"You should probably go," he said, whispering it.
She nodded, gulping for air. He felt that way, too. Doubtless for a different reason.
He was a cad. He was supposed to protect her, not assault her!
He smiled to let her know he wasn't chastising her. Her eyes flew wide, and then she smiled back. That smile melted his heart. It was shy, and surprised, and joyful.
He didn't watch her go. He had to catch his breath from the impact of that smile.
Smiling, like that, was probably even worse than touching!