Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)

Chapter Twelve

As soon as Addie climbed into the carriage the next day, Theo swept an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side. "You must have made an impression on Weston, for him to invite you along once more," Theo whispered into her hair before kissing the crown of her head. "Regardless, I am glad you are here with me."

Shivers worked their way through her at the feeling of Theo so close, but Addie managed to pull away a bit, gaping at him in desperation. She did not know what Andrew had in mind for this evening, but she had little doubt since he'd invited her along that it meant her secret identity would not remain a secret much longer. And if that was the case, she loathed the idea of Theo finding out about it from anyone but herself.

She had debated all night, not allowing herself to sleep for a moment. Should she continue to keep Theo in the dark on the chance that Andrew would not tell? In the end, during the dim hours of the morning, she decided she simply wasn't willing to take that risk.

Addie opened her mouth, but her confession was lost as she glanced up at Theo once more.

His eyes were alive, watching her with a fire in them that she understood all too well. Addie's own eyes flicked over his handsome face. There was a bit of a stubble on his jawline, and she could not help but wonder what it would feel like beneath her fingertips. She marveled at him—at his hard lines and soft eyes. His name accidentally fell from her lips, and Theo drew closer.

Addie bit her lip as she realized how the word had simply slipped from her mouth.

"Don't," Theo muttered, his voice thick. "Don't do that."

She released her lip and licked it instead. Her mouth was dry.

Theo groaned softly. "Do you even realize?" he asked, his voice strained.

"What?" Addie breathed, automatically drawing closer to him.

He brushed aside her hair with a single finger so he could move in to trail his lips up her neck. "What a temptation it is to be alone with you," he answered, his breath fanning the skin just below her ear. Making her shiver.

"What is it that tempts you, Theo?" Addie managed to ask.

Theo drew back, leaving her exposed neck sadly unattended. "You do not truly wish for me to answer that question," he said lowly.

"Are you simply tempted by my secrets, Your Grace?" Addie pressed. There was no use denying it. He knew she had secrets. And soon, he would know them.

Theo shook his head, and she took a moment to admire the perfect shade of his hair. His mane. "No," he said, a tad bit forceful. "Your secrets taunt me, Addie."

She swallowed. "Is there a difference?"

His lips tugged upward as he glanced at her coyly beneath his heavy lashes. "You desire for me to explain it?"

Addie's entire being strained toward him, but she forced herself not to move closer. "I do, Theo. Explain it."

"It is my innate curiosity that is taunted by the things you continue to hide from me. However, my curiosity has nothing to do with the way you tempt me, Addie. Currently, I am not tempted by that which I do not know. I am tempted by what I do know."

"And what do you know?"

Theo's gaze dropped. It traced the edges of her lips. And then it fell even further, and Addie knew he was able to see her ragged breathing, caused by nervousness and the undeniable arousal that flooded her whenever she was near the Duke of Kingfield. Theo's eyes flicked back to her mouth before murmuring, "I know things that I should not know, Addie."