Page 29 of Felix and the Spy
“I also go out during the weekends sometimes, but it’s always a little awkward being out among people. Before my mother died, we used to eat out every weekend, because she was tired of cooking for her ‘ungrateful daughter’.” Her eyes lit up with a thread of happiness as she recalled fond memories. “We are very different people, but food is the one thing we agreed on.” He nodded. “And you? I remember you said you had no hobbies.”
“Except writing letters to Mrs. Dane,” he said. “I tried reading the romance novels that you recommended, but I couldn’t get into them.”
“Because they reminded you of your wife?” He nodded. “Did you love her a lot?”
“I’m not sure what the code of conduct for secret affairs is, but I’m certain I shouldn’t be telling my lover about my wife.”
“Your lover, am I?” She nudged him playfully.
His throat tightened, face flushed. “Isn’t that the term—”
Amara suddenly dragged him into an alley. Pushing him against a grimy stone wall, she pressed a kiss to his lips. Just like that. On impulse. With no warning.
Felix’s body reacted on instinct. The scent of her—lemon and eucalyptus—flooded his nostrils. Her teeth sank into his lower lip, nibbling as she drank him in. His cock twitched, awakened by the proximity to her delicious body. He kissed her back, drowning in the intoxicating taste of her, feeling it flood his hungry mouth, and awaken a fierce pounding in his blood. She stepped between his legs, pressing him back on the wall, kissing him feverishly. Caging her in his arms, he felt her soft body mold to him, deepening their kiss.
It had been so long since he’d felt something so beautiful. In fact, he wondered if he’d ever felt something like this. Their teeth clashed as they kissed deeply. She cupped his face.
Then, she broke the kiss, as if suddenly remembering that they weren’t supposed to do this in the middle of the street where anyone could see them. He felt the loss of contact, unfocused silver eyes reflected in her dark irises. He wanted to devour her.
“You’re so adorable when you blush,” she said, her palms still cradling his cheeks. “I couldn’t stop myself.” When he didn’t respond, she added, “I might just have broken the code of conduct for secret affairs. Never kiss when you’re not alone. Don’t send mixed signals.”
He wanted mixed signals. For the first time, Felix thought that rules were terribly boring and restrictive.
“I had no idea there were such rules,” he said. “It looks like neither of us is good at following them.”
She tilted his face to meet her eyes. “You can talk to me about your wife. I’ve been reading your letters for three years. I don’t want you to feel like you have to hide parts of yourself when you’re with me. I know how much you miss her.”
He closed his eyes. “Some days, I feel I’ll go under, but it’s gotten so much better. Especially, after I figured out you were Mrs. Dane. I haven’t thought of her in a while.” She was eyeing him intensely. “Isn’t it unsettling to hear about another woman?”
“Not really. She’s dead. It’s not like she’s my competition or anything. Besides, we’re just having an affair.”
Just an affair. It’d serve him well to remember that. The way his heart contracted led him to believe that his feelings for Amara ran deeper. Deeper than lust. Deeper than even friendship.
That wouldn’t do. He couldn’t go there.
She backed off before he did something stupid.
“Let’s go to my house,” she said. “The rest of this conversation is too inappropriate for the streets.”
He followed her quietly, worrying about something he had never worried about before—his growing attraction to her.
Ten
Amara
Amara had never been to a ball before, let alone a royal one.
She walked into the palace’s ballroom, astounded by the grandiose display King Delton had put on. Unlike his court which reeked of death and serpents, the ballroom was bright with gold and white walls. Fifteen-tier crystal chandeliers spilled from the ceiling. Large pots of brightly-colored flowers were placed everywhere. Amara was surprised King Delton’s touch hadn’t made them wither yet.
Her satin-gloved arm threaded in Felix’s, she smiled up at the crowd as they were announced. Felix looked extremely handsome in his black tailcoat, black trousers, and contrasting white shirt, which brought out his complexion and gray hair to great effect. His pale skin glowed under the gaslights, his lips curving into a smile as he gazed at her longingly.
“You’re looking extremely beautiful this evening,” he said.
The tops of her breasts poured out over the embroidered ivory bodice of her gown that she had dug out of her mother’s old trunk. Amara had donated most of her belongings, but she’d kept her wedding dress around. The off-shoulder piece decorated with lace and pearls was the grandest thing she owned. She had altered it to fit her frame. It clung to her body like a glove, accentuating her narrow waist and wide hips, creating the illusion of a bust. Her hair was pinned up in a bun, and spots of rouge dotted her lips and cheeks.
She laughed. “Thank you.” Leaning closer to his ear, she whispered. “You look good enough to devour.”
He flushed that adorable flush that she loved so much. Amara was supposed to act professionally, but every time she looked at him, her heart melted a little. They walked in together, hand in hand.
