“Sorry, what?” She brought herself back to the present, and Rowan smirked at her, licking his lips.
“I asked you about the Earl. Why him?”
“Oh, well, he was the first person I met when I came out into Society,” she said, taking another drink. She was beginning to feel the effects now, and she sat back, her head starting to spin. “He is a nice man.”
“Clearly, you were not looking for physical attractiveness.” He laughed loudly, and she furrowed her brow.
“Pardon, Your Grace, but not everyone can be blessed with an angel’s features like yourself.” She rolled her eyes.
What did I just say? I should stop drinking! He’s already too arrogant for his own good.
“So, you are saying that you think I am attractive?”
“I—” She paused, figuring out the words in her head. “So, what if I did?”
“If you did.” He leaned across the table, their faces close. “I may have opinions on that.”
“Like what?” She subconsciously leaned further in, her eyes widening in surprise.
“You’d have to find out,” he said coolly, leaning back and leaving her lips parted and her feelings spilled out on the table.
She was definitely attracted to him, that was undeniable, and he was toying with her. She knew that she would never act like this while sober, and suddenly, she felt anger bubble up in her throat.
“You are toying with me, Your Grace.” She stood up, walking around the table to press a finger to his chest. “How dare you?”
“How dare I?” he asked, standing up, and towering over her. In any other instance, she would be entirely intimidated, but she was tipsy and angry. “You were the one who was flirting all night long with my friends. If anyone is toying, it is you.”
“You were the one who wanted to play this cruel game where you get me drunk and ask me anything you’d like, knowing I would have no inhibition to answer with decency,” she huffed, stepping back when he took a step closer to her.
They were sharing oxygen at this point, and all that kept her from being fully pressed to his chest was her accusatory finger, which was still against his hard, toned chest.
“And you played along. How is this my fault? Perhaps the lady should not have drunk so recklessly. Do not blame me for your vices.” He leaned down, narrowing his eyes and coming dangerously close to her face.
Her gaze flitted between his eyes, which burned with a sudden anger. The grey hues reflected the firelight, glowing as if they were made of fire themselves. Suddenly, his eyes dropped to her lips, and back up.
If she had blinked, she would have missed it, but it was there.
The air in the room was suddenly stifling, and Alice felt like she was becoming overheated. She parted her lips ever so slightly and attempted to back away from him, trying to escape the unbearable tension, but before she could get away, Rowan wrapped his hands around her face, pulling her to his.
He kissed her roughly, a drunken, angered kiss that she returned with the same vigor. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and his fingers drifted past her face, tugging lightly on her hair, and tipping her head up toward him so he had a better angle.
She gasped in his mouth, and he pulled her hair out of its knot, letting it fall and cascade down her shoulders. Alice’s hands drifted down his chest and began undressing him, her fingers fiddling with the fabric of his shirt and attempting to tug it from beneath his breeches. He did the same, tugging on the sleeves of her dress. She suddenly felt overwhelmed, and she grabbed his hands, stopping him.
“Your Grace,” she whispered the moment he pulled away for air.
“You are absolutely infuriating,” he mumbled, breathing heavily as his fingers danced across her neck and sent a shiver down her spine. “You tempt me on purpose, do you not?”
Instead of forming a proper response, Alice simply kissed him again.
Her breath caught in her throat as his hands wandered down her arm, sending another chill across her skin, straight to her core.
“Your Grace,” she muttered.
He only chuckled against her lips, sending another pulse of electricity through her.
“Please…”
“Would you like me to stop, Miss Snow?”
