Chapter 2

I took a step back, biting my lips to quell the still-growing unease I felt when I looked inside the room, and a sound caught my attention. It was the creaking of a door at the far end of the hallway. I took that as my cue to leave and resume my work.

Following the sound, I peered under my bonnet, and I noticed Maud coming out of one of the guest rooms. She seemed surprised to see me and quickly dashed around the corner with a squeak, disappearing from sight. Her reaction puzzled me, but I was also on edge from being on this floor, especially after smelling whatever was behind the wooden door.

Suddenly, I felt a heat emanating from behind my back and heard a hot whisper close to my right ear, which took me by surprise. It was so sudden and unexpected that I jumped.

“You…” The voice was husky and also made me shiver in all the right places.

I spun around hastily, my heart racing as I came face to face with a half-naked man. At that moment, Maud’s sudden departure made sense to me. She had run away from him, not me.

The man’s eyes bore into mine, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. My instincts told me to back up against the wall for safety, but my hands couldn’t find it.

The man took a step closer, and I stumbled backwards, my arm outstretched behind me in a desperate attempt to find something to steady myself.

“Did you see anything interesting?” the man asked interestedly.

“No, my… lord?” I had said it more as a question than an answer. I didn’t know who this person was. It could be the young lord; however, it could also be a nobleman staying in the lord’s quarters while visiting. Maybe a close friend? I thought that this situation wouldn’t have been an issue for me if he had clothes on.

He chuckled, and I almost felt his laughter vibrate within me because of his nearness. “I am,” he said in a low voice.

Great, I was so embarrassed. Why couldn’t the floor just swallow me whole?

Lord Alexander placed his fingers under my chin and raised my head. They were warm but hard on my skin, and I felt tiny electrical discharges where they rested. The sparks made my insides feel like a soft pile of goo.

My eyes locked onto his face, but I lowered them quickly when I met his magnetic dark grey stare. It was as if the sky was about to unleash a thunderstorm in them.

My eyes darted back to his chest, and I noticed he was still shirtless. I felt my cheeks flush as I realized my head was at the height of his bare skin.

As he took another step closer, my heart started to race, and my mind rushed with thoughts of what would happen next. I also noticed that I had entered the forbidden room, and the head maid would be furious if she found out.

Lord Alexander’s voice broke the silence, and I struggled to meet his intense gaze. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to finally find you.”

I didn’t understand what he meant by that. I  noticed him observing me, and I realized that I was trembling and covered in goosebumps.

“Do I frighten you that much?” he asked, his voice deep and somehow upset.

I hesitated before answering, not wanting to reveal my fear. Summoning all my courage, I met Lord Alexander’s gaze again. He was very tall with broad shoulders and a muscular build, which surprised me as I didn’t take him for someone who would have that kind of physique. Most noblemen were only paper pushers, and I didn’t take him for the physical sort. I also noticed his striking square jaw and rugged and unshaven look. It was undeniably attractive, and in my previous life, I might have tried to catch his eye if we had ever crossed paths.

He still held my face with his hand, and I instinctively stepped back. As I did, my arm brushed against something hard and cold, possibly made of metal. I shifted my position, and the sound of chains clinking echoed through the room.

What in Faith’s name was in here?

Nervously, I glanced back at Lord Alexander, and my breath caught in my throat as he leaned close to my face. I could feel his warm breath on my skin as he inhaled deeply through his nose. The intensity of the moment was almost too much to bear.

“Hmm,” he made a sound from his throat, almost like a purr. His brows knitted together as if he was deep in thought, and his grey eyes turned nearly pitch black. He let go of my chin and walked further into the mysterious room, passing by me.

I need to leave. Say something. Anything. “Milord, may I take my leave and finish the preparations before your guests arrive?” I couldn’t stand his presence anymore.

As he turned around, his shadow cast upon me, and his eyes looked like those of a cat in the dark—almost glowing.

“No need. I will no longer be entertaining visitors today. However, can you stay here a moment more? I want to confirm one last thing.”

I hesitated, not sure what he meant. But before I could say anything, he walked back to me and brushed his fingers along my cheek, sending fireworks sizzling across my skin.

“Stay perfectly still.”

I felt my heart race as I realized what he was asking. I tried to back away, but he caught me by the waist and pulled me toward him, his lips crashing onto mine.

It was a kiss that left me breathless, a kiss that made me forget about everything else. I knew that I was in trouble. Trouble that I couldn’t resist, trouble that I didn’t want to resist. I knew the head maid would have my hide from disobeying her words. For entering the restricted room. For somehow be kissing the young lord.

Faiths. What was wrong with me?

I could sense a powerful aura emanating from Lord Alexander that made me feel both vulnerable and exhilarated at the same time. I couldn’t deny that he had ignited something inside of me that I had never experienced before, and it scared me to my very core.

His kiss was almost bruisingly pleasant, yet something else was hidden in it. Something almost akin to longing and relief. I felt it as well. A sleeping feeling that was sudden jolted awake, making my body vibrate and instantly respond to Lord Alexander.

I didn’t understand any of it. I barely knew him, but there was this familiarity between us, like I had known him my whole life—which was utterly impossible.

I thought the feeling would sizzle out, but it stayed, even when he detached himself from me.

“Now, you may go, but don’t worry, I’ll soon find you again,” he whispered in my ear.

I looked up at him and thought I saw a hint of a grin on his face, but I couldn’t be sure. Eventually, he let me go, and I stumbled back, feeling unsteady on my feet.

I didn’t stick around to hear if he had anything else to say, but the memory of his touch and his words stayed with me long after he had disappeared from sight.