“That’s not true, Emma. I watch and pay attention. I saw the way you scanned this room when we entered. I know you were thinking about our first dinner and wondering if tonight would end up” —he tilted his chin toward the far wall— “with one of us on our knees.”
Warmth crept up my neck, no doubt filling my cheeks with pink.
“Are you going to deny it?” he asked.
I shook my head. “It may sound selfish, but your rendition isn’t completely accurate.”
He lifted his napkin to the table, pushed back his chair, and came toward me. My breathing caught as he offered me his hand.
“No, Rett, there are people.”
He chuckled. “Then, may we go to someplace that is less populated?”
I laid my hand in his. “Home?”
“I like hearing you say that. Could you be more specific about your rendition of your thoughts?”
The warmth returned as I stood. “It wasn’tone of uson our knees.”
Rett’s eyebrows lifted.
“It was me.”
Memories of exactly that caused my nipples to harden beneath the dress. I reached for my purse and once again, laid my hand in his. As we began walking toward the doors, I said, “There is something else that was supposed to be a secret, but I bet Ian told you.”
“Told me what?”
The doors opened as we were ushered toward the stairs. The din of diners, clinks of dishes, and backdrop of music gave me the sense of a movie set. Perhaps it was the antique mirrors and shining light fixtures.
As we descended the stairs, I had the feeling we were back in time, or maybe on the Titanic. As Rett steadied my steps, I worried that analogy had more meaning.
It wasn’t until we were back in the SUV with Leon and Ian that Rett whispered his question. “Tell me what secret, Mrs. Ramses.”
My gaze went to the rearview mirror, but neither man in the front seat was looking our way. I lowered my voice. “I’m done on the third floor. I want to move back into my suite.”
His cheeks rose. “You have forgiven me.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
I reached for his hand and continued speaking low. “You weren’t right, Rett, but I also agreed to your conditions of this marriage. Work with me, but know I’m ready to do as you said.”
He inhaled and his chest inflated. “Yes, I think it’s time for you to move back.”
“My things are already there.”
He leaned closer until our lips met. When we pulled away, his eyes were focused on mine. “I want the world to see you beside me, Emma, because I’m damn proud to have you there. I hope you can say the same.”
“New Orleans’s most eligible bachelor, it sounds like I’m in an envied position.”
“Yes and no.”
This time, my eyebrows lifted.
Rett looked at his watch. “With traffic, I would say that your position in approximately twenty-five minutes would be more enviable.”
I shook my head as my mind filled with possibilities.