Mysterious Seduction

XIII. Almost a Kiss

Byron stared blankly at the ceiling, a corner of his lips curling into a smile.

He knew it was bound to happen for he intended it, planned it.

And she had let it for she somehow knew what he was up to.

He turned on his side and wrapped an arm around Ellie McPhee's naked body. She snuggled closer, still in deep slumber.

Byron let out a contented sigh.

This shall be a battle of wits.

-Above and Below

*****

Emma had never known sexual passion before and on the very first sign of it, she began to doubt herself.

She had always thought that being close to someone, of their breath mingling with hers, would not be enough to entice her to want for more.

Yet she was quite proven wrong one afternoon.

After the incident with Jordan at Ulric, Emma decided to let two days pass before she returned. By then, rehearsals resumed and Jordan, although he would still throw her one or two of his seductive smiles, did not approach her again.

Emma did not know why she kept coming back after what happened. And after the scolding she got from Wynne two days ago, surely she must be crazy to go back. The man himself clearly told her, albeit not in clear words, that he was not like Samuel.

He is not safe, a part of her repeatedly reminded her. He kept too many secrets and his private life was equally mysterious.

But she was here again, quietly sitting in her chair, watching the actors practice their lines and songs. She could see the same things again if she would come back for the actual shows, yet there were things that she would not appreciate if she did so.

The evening shows would not show her how everything else was repaired and maintained. She would not have the honor to see Wynne pace below the stage, shouting and giving orders to everyone.

Emma was lost in her own thoughts for a while that she did not realize Wynne had jumped to the stage, waving his arms, giving orders to everyone. "Everyone to your position," he ordered the dancers who obliged, surrounding both Jordan and Stella who were in the middle of stage.

"We have been doing this for months, Wynne," Stella said wryly. "We embrace in a dance and—"

"Exactly my point," Wynne cut off, "you are not dancing. You are seducing each other. You must allow the viewers to forget the bloody dance."

"Then we simply stop dancing and bloody kiss," said Jordan.

Wynne glared at him. The actor shook his head. "What do you want us to do then, Wynne? What more should we express?"

"We can kiss," suggested Stella.

"No, not this early in the story, you are not," contradicted Wynne. "Dance as though you want to kiss—bloody hell, let me show you—" he turned and found Emma sitting in her chair. "Emma, please, come up the stage."

She was already shaking her head. "No, I would rather not."

He looked at her and his eyes dared her. Emma was not one who would walk away from a dare so she stood and walked up the stage. He motioned for her to come closer.