Page 70 of The Shadows Between Us
“He was a perfect gentleman,” I assure the room, even though I’m directing my attention to my friends. “Didn’t touch me. Didn’t even look as I undressed.”
A girl on the other side of the room coughs into her hand. “For your sake, I hope a proposal is underway. No other man will have you now. Whether you two were chaste or not. Naked is naked.”
Another girl gasps at her remark, hardly daring she would be so bold with the king’s beau.
“I had a nice talk with the king about virginity,” I say, and I proceed to rehash the conversation. At the end, I say, “Considering at least halfof you have already given yourselves to men, I should think you grateful that you no longer have to keep your exploits a closely guarded secret. I certainly won’t bother to do so with mine.”
In fact, this morning I called in my debt to Myron. He has a month to get the money to me before I hand the case over to the constabulary.
It’s only a moment after I say the words that the whole room floods with new gossip. This time, of ladies sharing their secret exploits with others in the room or their wishes for such trysts. Satisfied with what I’ve started, I turn back to Rhoda and Hestia.
“And here I thought I was being bold coming out of mourning so soon,” Rhoda says. “You’re changing everything.”
I shrug. “I merely think we should be afforded the same rights as the men. Even in the bedroom.”
WHEN BREAKFAST IS SERVED,I’m not yet dressed, still clad in a nightgown. This one is black and formfitting. Though the short sleeves cover my shoulders, the silky material opens on each side of my abdomen, from my lowest ribs to below my hips. I chose the design because men do so love to use my hips and waist as handholds when kissing me senseless.
I brush my hair out of my face before entering the sitting room to break my fast.
Kallias stands from the breakfast table as soon as I open the door, and his eyes immediately go to the openings in my nightgown, where he can see the smooth skin at my second-best curves.
“My maid didn’t inform me you were joining me this morning,” I say by way of explanation. “I’ll go put on a robe.”
“No,” he objects.
I raise a brow.
“I mean, I’m the intruder. You may wear whatever you wish in yourown rooms.” He drags his eyes to my face. “Are you up for company this morning?”
“Certainly.” I take the seat opposite him.
“Your nightwear is… different,” he adds.
“It’s breathable.”
“Do you get overheated when you sleep?”
“Only when I’m not sleeping alone.”
Kallias turns his head toward my door.
“There’s no one else in there,” I say. “I didn’t mean I’d had company last night.”
He returns his gaze to me. “You say that almost wistfully.”
Well, now that we’re being honest about our past exploits—“It’s… been a long time.”
“Longer than it’s been for me?”
“Devils, no!”
He stares at me, and I find myself laughing at the conversation.
“Just how long has it been for you?” he wants to know.
Truth or lie?
“Just over a month.”
