They weren’t alone in the park. Others were taking advantage of the day’s wonderful weather, as well. Madelene’s gaze followed a giggling toddler as he ran past their blanket, his mother not far behind, shaking her head but smiling all the same.
When she turned back to Simon, he was watching her. He would know where her thoughts had gone. She’d always longed for the possibility of that life. Being a mother. She didn’t want to explain or answer his questions that would undoubtedly come and would tarnish this wonderful day, so she broke off a small piece of cheese and held it up to his lips. They turned up just a bit before he opened his mouth. Excitement shimmered through her veins as his lips closed around her fingers, his gaze never leaving hers. It was so easy to get lost in his eyes. They dropped from hers to her lips and then to her breasts. A wave of desire warmed her body. Desperate to kiss him, her lips already tingled. But they were surrounded by people. She had to get her mind onto something else.
“Will you teach me how to wield a knife?”
His eyes widened slowly, along with his smile, and then he chuckled. “Where has that come from?”
“Bonnie said you taught her.”
He nodded slowly. “Her situation and yours are very different. Or at least, I hope so. But I’ll teach you how to defend yourself if you’d like.”
“You will?” She had fully expected him to dismiss her request as foolish.
“Of course I will. That doesn’t start with a knife, though. It will be some time before you’re ready to use a weapon like that safely, but we’ll see how far we can get.”
That statement brought such a mix of emotions with it. Excitement that he was going to teach her, but the last bit was a reminder that her time with him was limited.
“We can have our first lesson today if you’d like.”
She nodded excitedly.
“Not here, of course. At home, where we won’t have an audience.”
After returning everything to the basket, he got to his feet and held out a hand for her.
Her anticipation grew as they neared his townhouse. She still couldn’t quite believe he had taken her seriously. Once inside, he took her hand and led her straight upstairs to his bedroom.
“This is the only room with enough open space,” he explained. “Stand here,” he said, leaving her in the middle of the room. “Now, head up, shoulders back.” He placed a finger under her chin and raised it just slightly. “That’s it. That is step one. Carry yourself with confidence. If you look like a victim, you’re more likely to become one.”
“What if I’m not strong enough to be confident?”
“You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, Madelene.”
She scoffed. “You, sir, are a liar.”
“You think I’m lying?” He raised his brow.
“I still struggle to even speak.” She looked down at her hands as she fidgeted with her thumbnail. She certainly didn’t feel strong.
He lifted her chin, once more. “Your silence does not diminish your strength. In fact, you’ve turned it into its own sort of weapon. Your life has taught you so many of the skills I’ve trained for years to master.” He stepped back from her again. “Now, head up, shoulders back, and walk in a circle around me. Convince me that you’re not afraid.”
“But I’m not afraid of you, Simon.”
“Very well.” A glint of mischief sparkled in his eyes before he had her in his embrace. His mouth claimed hers, stealing her breath, his hands gripping her backside and pulling her tightly against him. He plundered her mouth and her brain felt suddenly intoxicated. Desire, strong and undeniable, surged through her.
His tongue seared along her jaw and he whispered into her ear. “Do you want me right now, Madelene?”
Her stomach flipped over. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. “Yes.”
“Good,” he said, stepping away from her. “Now walk in a circle around me and convince me that you are not at all affected by me. I may as well be dirt under your shoe.”
How was she supposed to do that? Even now, she struggled to draw breath, standing there smiling and witless, desperate for him to kiss her again. But she could do it. He was right. This was the sort of thing she’d spent a lifetime perfecting, always wearing exactly the expression needed to ensure she never upset anyone around her. She’d just never had to do it with him.
Reining in her smile, she raised her brow ever so slightly as she straightened her spine. With a deep breath, she took control of her body and her emotions. Lifting her chin, she turned her gaze away from him and strolled slowly in a circle. Her heart continued to flutter, but she used it to fortify her resolve. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her as she made two circuits around him.
“Well done! What did I tell you?” He smiled proudly at her when she turned to face him, but she merely raised a haughty brow, keeping up the charade.
“How dare you kiss me like that only to further your agenda.” She could still see the hunger in his eyes, and his Adam’s apple bobbed with a swallow.
