Ester cried out when her feet lifted off the ground, and powerful arms went under her hips and hauled her up against a chest. She gasped and clutched at his shoulders, peering up at Edmond. Scandalized delight seared her chest. He did not look down at her but held her against him as he carried her away, uncaring of the rippling whispers traveling through the air.
CHAPTER8
“Edmond,” Ester gasped, tightening her arms around his nape. “Whatever are you doing? Everyone is staring at us.”
“Not everyone,” he said with a hint of amusement. “Why are you bored? Your life is perfect—”
“It is not perfect,” she cried, shocking herself with that admission. “I truly cannot imagine that anyone endures aperfectexistence. I have felt empty these past weeks, filled with a restlessness that makes me lose sleep. I want that emptiness to be filled, and I am…am angry at times because I do not knowhowto fill that space inside of me. What I do know is that I want to live a life that feels fulfilled and happy.”
Ester thought of Ellie, the sister everyone had teased to be only slightly wicked because she was not as naughty as the other Fairbanks siblings. Yet it was Emma who had dared to be wicked and pursued her happiness even at the disapproval of the old dragon. How could Ester not be encouraged to pursue her own contentment?
“I want to be free to make my own choices. I do not want my wings to be clipped. I want…”
I want to be with you even though I cannot explain the desire even to myself.
“I want to enjoy living. Like those people in the ballroom with their masks, twirling and laughing, whatever cares ailing them left behind for the night.”
His strides did not slow until he spilled outside into the very back gardens she had been thinking she would escape to.
“You may put me down,” she whispered.
He ignored her. In truth, the hands curved under her hips tightened, and Ester swore he held her a little closer to his body.
“Do you know how danger you are in here in a gambling hell?”
“Risking my heart will never be regretted.”
He faltered and peered down at her. “Your heart?”
“Is it not what I aim to delight? I very well know it might also be disappointed. The risk is mine to take.”
“What of your reputation?” he growled.
“I know I will be safe with you.”
A shudder went through him, and disbelief entered his eyes. “Do you know what I want to do with you, Ester, and you confidently say that you are safe with me?”
“Yes,” she murmured, tightening her hand around his nape. “You want to kiss me. That, Edmond, will only bring me delight.”
“How are you so bold?”
“How else might I live a life that makes me happy?”
He placed her on the ground but did not step away from her.
“You loathed the idea of me allowing someone else to kiss me,” she murmured.
Something savage flared in his eyes before his expression shuttered. Lifting a finger, she traced the curve of his hard jawline. “Do not hide it from me, Edmond.”
He inhaled audibly. “This is a madness that makes little sense.”
“Why does it have to make sense?”
“Ester—”
“You want to kiss me, and I want you to kiss me. I daresay that is an uncomplicated matter.”
“Have you considered I might desire more than kisses, hmm?”