Baron of Bad (Lords of Scandal 5)

But she didn’t look up as she ate, giving him the freedom to attempt to figure out the awkward positioning without fear of being caught in a mistake. Which surprised him. He hadn’t thought Grace could be so subtle, accepting. Verbally, they were always at odds. But now, she wasn’t trying to spar with him. Instead, her actions were…supportive.

“Are you the youngest of your sisters?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes.” Then she let out a soft sigh. “Ruined before I even had a season. That takes some doing.”

He shook his head. “None of this was your fault.”

She looked at him then, one of her eyebrows arching. “Really? That isn’t what you sa

id yesterday.”

He deserved that. Leaning forward, he returned her stare. “Well, I would appreciate it if you used sense when it came to your own safety.”

“Touché,” she replied leaning back, her chin tucking into her chest. “Sense, I suppose, is not something I’m known for.”

Guilt clogged his throat. Usually, she’d reply back with some sort of smart retort and, to his surprise, he liked their back and forths. “I did not mean to offend.”

“I’m not offended.” Her head remained down. “You’re right. I’ve always been rash. And sassy.”

This Grace, humble, helpful, would undo him. “I love both those qualities about you, except for when they lead to your kidnapping.”

She tilted her head up and peered at him for several seconds. “You like them?”

“I like our discussions. Your wit. Your tendency to speak your mind.” How had she done this? Now he was listing her finer qualities. “And one person can’t be smart, beautiful, funny, and sensible. It simply wouldn’t be fair.”

That made her smile. A smile that stained her cheeks pink and glowed with gratitude. She stole his breath from his lungs. “Thank you.” Then she nibbled her bottom lip. “I have a favor to ask.”

He’d been leaning forward as their conversation grew more intimate but he pulled back, needing distance. Somehow, he was fairly certain that he’d just been led like a lamb to the slaughter.

Chapter Nine

Grace needed Ben to say yes. She held her breath as his eyes widened.

“A favor?” he asked.

She could tell, just by the growl in his voice, he’d grown suspicious again. She didn’t reply. Yet. With a few hours alone to contemplate, she’d come up with a new plan. First, she’d tried being her sassy self. He hadn’t budged. And she’d attempted, when she’d asked him to undo her dress, to be more like Diana. Bold and brave. He’d retreated. So… her next strategy was to be more like her sister, Cordelia. Kind, soft, and understandingly intelligent. It had been working, right until the favor part.

Her stomach clenched, realizing she was failing at acting like her smart sister. Would Cordelia ask a favor? Likely not. “I’m afraid to be alone in my room tonight,” she confessed.

He set down his spoon. “Grace, I really should sleep in my own—”

“We could pull your mattress into my room. You’d be comfortable and in your own bed.” She reached for his hand and after a moment’s pause, he allowed her to clasp his hand in hers. “Please. I’m scared.”

He closed his eyes, his muscles tensing. “Love.”

She could hear the no in the single word. “I won’t tell anyone. I swear.” And she laced her fingers through his.

He sat looking at their joined hands, indecision making the lines in his face taut. “It’s not a good idea.”

She rose then, keeping their hands joined, and skirted around the table. She wasn’t certain how Cordelia would act now, or Diana for that matter. But she knew what Grace would do.

Grace let his fingers go, then wrapped her arms about his neck and slipped onto his lap. He didn’t stop her but he didn’t hold her either. Taking his lack of action as consent, she curled into his body, resting her head in the crook of his neck. She was tempted to continue talking. Try to convince him otherwise, but once again, her intuition told her it was best to remain quiet. So, she did.

Slowly, Ben lifted his hands from his sides, one wrapping about her knees, the other resting on her backside.

Tilting her head back, Grace placed a soft kiss on the base of his neck. He shivered under her lips.

“What is it you want from me?” he asked, the rumble of his deep voice reverberating through her.