Collin grabbed an identical gold-dusted chocolate from his plate and placed it on mine. “You can now.” The attendant grabbed his stand, uttering a quick goodbye before departing.
The tea spread warmth through my limbs, its spice blending with the sweetness of the chocolate. It was my favorite of the evening. I hummed appreciatively. Collin’s chuckle caused me to look up. A small smile played at his mouth, and his eyes were on me. “Did I do something?”
“The Elite never allow themselves to enjoy anything,” he said.
“Why not?”
“Real enjoyment is not crafted. It does not fit their image. They are more concerned with being proper.”
“Is this considered proper?” I asked, biting into the cake. It was divine, so light and moist that it melted on my tongue.
“No. Polite society would be a mess over it,” Collin stated.
“Oh,” I muttered.
“No one has ever accused me of being polite,” Collin assured me.
My brows pulled in. “Is this all a test?”
“No, I meant what I said. I have neither time nor patience for it. Work is demanding. The Elite will be enough of a test for you.”
“Arethe Elite testing me?” I asked.
“Not in a way that matters. They cannot overstep their position, they can only report what they see. But surviving their judgment will be a more difficult task than any I could construct.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but a small ding sounded.
“Apologies,” Collin said, taking his Comm Device out of his jacket pocket. His demeanor shifted completely. His brow furrowed and his mouth tightened before he replaced the device and turned his attention back to me. “How’s the cake?”
“It’s amazing,” I said, taking the last bite. “Is everything okay?”
Collin smiled tightly at me. “Yes, everything is fine. Try the nougat,” Collin suggested, gesturing toward a small square. It was like biting into a fluffy cloud.
“You like the chocolate more, don’t you?” Collin asked.
“I do,” I admitted, and he smiled tightly, running his hands down his jacket again. “Do you need to go?”
“Not until you are done.”
I pushed the plate away from me. “I am finished.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, gesturing to the last gold-dusted chocolate. I grinned and popped it into my mouth. His mouth tugged up as he leaned over, pressing a small button I hadn’t noticed. A podium changed directions, heading toward us. I watched the others in the Sphere, and I swore they all looked in our direction. Maybe I was paranoid.
“Mr. Collin,Ms. Emeline.” The attendant stopped before our table, shifting to the side to make room. Collin nodded at the man, tucking away his Comm Device and making his way out of the booth.
I shimmied around the booth, and Collin moved to block the attendant entirely. A muscle feathered in his jaw as he waited for me, hand extended. I placed my hand in his as I entered the podium. Collin pulled me in close, our bodies meeting. The thin fabric did nothing to diminish the feel of his body against mine.
“Please, grab the railing.”
Collin boxed me in, grasping the railing on both sides of me, encasing me as we moved. My heart hammered at his proximity.
“May I?” he asked, his eyes traveling down. I followed his gaze to find that the diagonal lines had gone askew, revealing everything to him. A hot flush raced up my body, and I nodded, cheeks blazing.
He gently pinched the thin fabric between two fingers, adjusting the gown, careful not to touch my skin. When he was satisfied, he leaned in, his warm breath brushing the side of my neck. I was instantly too warm and cold all at once.
“You’re biting your lip again, Emeline,” Collin informed me quietly as we floated toward the platform below.
“I was thinking,” I said, breathier than I intended.
