He'd never felt so frustrated. But the need to protect her outweighed the raging of his rampant loins.
"You're worried we will be discovered alone together?" Grace placed her hand on his arm. "Elliot, I'm sure those who have seen us together have already made certain assumptions."
Elliot rubbed the back of his neck. "It is not the same as stumbling upon us half dressed. Whether you're a widow or not, it is hardly discreet."
She smiled and he felt a strange sensation fill his chest. "You still haven't told me," she said softly. "You haven't told me why I heard your thoughts."
For a moment he wished he was mute. To reveal the truth would mean admitting to a feeling he had run and hid from for years. He didn't want to care about anyone and the thought of saying the words aloud scared the hell out of him. Partly because he refused to be a foolish dreamer. Partly because he feared disappointment. Happiness always came at a price.
He sighed. "It's because a connection exists between us." Indeed, he feared their attraction had grown into something else. Something deeper, more profound. "Our joining has brought a heightened level of awareness. That is why you can hear me."
"Will it always be the case?"
Elliot knew what she was asking. When they parted company, would the connection always exist? When consumed with sadness or grief, would he feel it too? Would he know when she felt love in her heart for another? Would he know when she felt desire for her new beau — when her body shook from the effects of her release?
"Honestly, I do not know," he answered, fearing such a thing was possible.
"You have never experienced it before? You have never made a connection with another?"
"No." He swallowed deeply, not wanting to admit he was struggling to navigate this unchartered territory. Nor did he want to admit he had witnessed the same thing occur with Alexander and Evelyn. "Other than Alexander and Leo, no one has ever heard my thoughts."
"Oh."
"This is all new to me." He waved his hand back and forth between them. "Whatever exists between us is hard to define."
She gave a knowing smile. "It is all new to me too, Elliot."
The air between them buzzed. The sensitive skin on his lips tingled. His chest felt warm, tight. As the throbbing ache between his legs pulsed, he knew they had to leave for he was too weak to fight his need for her.
"It must be time to leave," he said, avoidance being the only way to suppress his desire. "They'll be waiting for us on the terrace."
"Well, we should not keep them waiting," she said with a heavy sigh. "There'll be time to talk later."
If he had his way, there would be time to do more than talk.
The sound of laughter resonating along the hallway captured his attention. Panic flared. Elliot put his ear to the door and as the sound dissipated, he prised the door from the jamb and peered outside.
"Quick, the hallway's empty. We must go now."
He took her hand as they hurried from the room, placing it in the crook of his arm as they attempted to walk calmly and casually back into the ballroom.
Alexander and Evelyn were already waiting outside on the terrace. They were standing but a hairs breadth apart. Alexander brushed a stray tendril from Evelyn's face, his knuckles stroking her cheek as she gazed longingly into his eyes.
Elliot's reaction to the intimate exchange shocked him.
Jealousy delivered a sharp stab to his chest.
Guilt followed with a blow to his stomach.
The beautiful, passionate lady at his side had been thrust into a dark room to be ravaged in secret by a seasoned seducer, offering nothing more than the use of his body. While other couples openly demonstrated the love, respect and admiration they shared.
"There you are." Evelyn turned to face them, her gaze drifting down to Grace's hands before offering a smirk. "You appear to have mislaid something."
Grace gasped. "My gloves. I must have left them in the music room."
"I'll go back," Elliot said.
"Nonsense. I'll go. I'll only be a minute. While I'm gone, perhaps you should go in search of Leo."