Anna wanted to deny it. She wanted to give the impression that all was well. Isn’t that what a newly, happily married woman would do? A woman lucky enough to be married to the Duke of Springbrook should be overjoyed. What could she possibly have to be worried about? It wasn’t like she could tell Collins anything even if she wanted to, so Anna shook her head and managed another smile she was sure didn’t reach her eyes.
“I’m fine,” she told him, “Just getting used to my new life as a married woman I guess,”
But Collins obviously knew her too well and he didn’t look convinced, “And where is your husband tonight?” he pressed,
Anna sighed at the mention of Cedric, avoiding Collins’ questioning gaze and focusing instead on the glass on the counter. “I already told you that I don’t want to talk about him”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to,” Anna replied, “That’s the reason why I came here in the first place. To take a break from the Duke and from Haerton so can we just not bring it up,”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s going to be possible,” said Collins.
Anna frowned as she looked up at him, “Why not?” she asked, but Collins wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were focused on something behind her, and she turned to see what it was.
Right behind her, walking towards her was the man she was trying not to talk about, striding towards her with a look on his face that suggested that he wasn’t very happy. While Anna was taken aback by the angry expression on his very handsome face, she couldn’t help but notice that she wasn’t the only one who seemed captivated by the Duke’s presence. Clearly he had the same effect on other people. In his expensive black suit and tie, he looked so out of place, and to her dismay, devastatingly handsome. Too good looking for his own good if anyone asked her.
Anna remained in her seat, and held eye contact with him as he came to stand beside her, looking daggers at Collins, who immediately got the message and slowly withdrew his hand from hers.
“Good evening, Mr Blackwood. It’s good to finally meet you,” Collins said without missing a beat, extending his hands towards Cedric. Anna simply watched as the two men shook hands, “Your wife was just telling me how wonderful it is that you found each other. Do you want her back now? I gather by that he-man look on your face that you do.” He turned to Anna, “Time for me to go, anyway. I’ll just have a word with Sara first. See you around, dear.”
Anna felt new respect for Collins as he stood and walked away. Whilst she was aware he was a genius in his field, she’d never thought much of his social skills. That little display, however, had been very clever. It wasn’t easy to think on your feet like that.
As she turned to face her husband Anna decided to tackle his sudden appearance and seeming anger head-on. “Cedric,” she said breathlessly, keeping her voice low, “I didn’t know you were back.”
“I can see that….,” Cedric cut in, as his eyes roamed her face, “Entertaining yourself in my absence?”
Anna decided to ignore that question, “Juliet said you would be away for two days. I thought you’d be back tomorrow.
“Again… I can see that,” Cedric repeated, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Anna didn’t like his accusatory tone. He was the one who’d left the day after their wedding without speaking to her or even calling once throughout his absence. Instead, he’d left her a message with his staff. Obviously that was all he thought she deserved from him, and judging by the nature of their marriage, maybe that was all she deserved, but for him to have the guts to be upset because she went out for a drink?
“Why were you glowering at me just now?” she demanded to know. “And what are you doing here? You followed me?”
For a moment, Cedric’s face stiffened, his square jawline looking even squarer with his neck muscles all tight like that. His nicely shaped lips, usually relaxed, were pressed tautly together. As for his eyes…Anna had never seen them so hard. And so cold.
But then he laughed, and Anna was taken aback by the sudden change in his mood, “Aren’t I allowed to be a bit possessive of my beautiful wife?”
“That would be true if our marriage was real,” she chided, but gently. “And I didn’t like you interrupting me and my friend like that. Please don’t do it again,”
Cedric pursed his lips, but his eyes were smiling at her. His fiery goddess was back, and he liked that…. more than he cared to admit. “Don’t you, darling?
Sorry. I got a little jealous seeing you with another man. Blame that dress you have on.”
Was he was flirting with her? Anna’s breath quickened just thinking about it. She didn’t want to admit it, but the truth was that she missed him. They might not be in love and their marriage was based on an agreement and transactional, but she couldn’t deny they had sexual chemistry. It’d been there the first time they met at the lake. It had been there when she kissed him at his office after he gave her his ring. At the altar at their wedding when he’d kissed her. It was always there, and it was here now as he stood, towering over her with anger blazing in his eyes. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he was jealous, but how could he be, when he barely knew her? When the only reason she was wearing his ring right now was because he wanted a son?
She knew better, and yet she wanted him. She wanted him to touch her. To kiss her. It was true that she was a virgin, but she’d read books and seen movies, and she knew sex was something she wanted to experience, and with the attraction she felt towards Cedric, she knew she wanted it with him. As she stared at him now she knew he was suddenly thinking the same thing too. She could see it in his face, and in his eyes.
“Let’s go home, Anna,” he commanded, fully expecting her to stand and do his bidding.