"It doesn't have to happen tonight," he said without turning her way.
Arabella said nothing yet allowed her feet to guide her closer to him. She took her time with every step, the only other sounds accompanying her being the ambient flickering of candle flames, the chipping of wood and the light brushing of fabric against the floor as her dress dragged across every inch she traversed.
The young woman did the same thing he so loved doing to her, standing right behind his frame and giving free reign to the warmth that would wrap around him.
She stood so close, if he so much as leaned half an inch backwards their bodies would have connected.
Soon, his hand stopped working and with it ceased the grating of wood that filled the room.
"I said it last time and I'll say it again, leave while you still can," he wasn't whispering per se, but there was none of the sharpness his voice usually donned. His words were just gentle on the ears.
