“Such as?”
The money I need for The Point, Lyra thought, but of course did not say so. There would be time and enough for that. “A house. Jewelry. Sometimes even a pension. It ensured that the woman would be able to look after herself in the future.”
“But women are more than capable of supporting themselves in today’s world. A number of my directors are women.”
“True, though some more than others.” Lyra shrugged. “A lot depends on the start you have in life, I think. Look around the room. How many of the women here came from dire circumstances? Not many I bet.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Andros asked.
Why? Because she wanted to be open and honest, because she wanted more than just the end mission. She wanted to be desired, properly desired. To have something that wasn’t simply a quick fling with a guy from the estate, but an experience with a real man. One who was commanding and…alpha…
Her mind supplied the word and it fit. There could be no doubt that Andros was alpha through and through. Of course, Lyra did not, could not, say any of that, so instead she reached for her glass, took a small sip of wine and caught his eye. Her gaze was steady as she spoke, wanting to make it all very clear.
“Why? Because it always made sense in my mind. A beautiful woman using what God gave her. Perfect sense.”
“And would you call yourself beautiful, Lyra?”
Another shrug, but it was clear between them now, he knew what she was suggesting and he was not saying no. “I know what I look like, Andros. I know what men think when they see me.”
“And that is?”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, I should rephrase. They don’t think; the blood goes other places than the brain.”
“Some might call you arrogant.”
“People call you that all the time. But no, it is not conceited to be aware of your strengths. Mine happen to be the way I look. That has nothing to do with me, just genetic lottery, but still.”
“You are a very beautiful woman,” he agreed. “Not classically beautiful perhaps, there’s too much fire in you for that.”
“Fire? Because of my red hair?”
“No, that’s not where it is. It’s here.” He reached out across the table and ran the back of his hand down her cheekbone. The contact made her shiver and she had to clench her fists, her nails digging into her skin. Only the pain did nothing to bring her to her senses.
Lyra was falling and fast.
“The face,” he added. “The eyes particularly. You’re brimming with it.”
“I take that as a compliment,” she said, and she had to work to keep her voice steady.
“As you should.”
He pulled his hand back, leaving her cheek feeling like it was aflame. More than just her cheek though, she felt hot everywhere. She wanted to feel Andros’ tanned hands on her. She imagined him running his fingers down her chest, tracing a trail to her nipples. God, they were hard, she could feel them scraping against the fabric of her dress.
“The question I now have to ask myself is why you sought me out specifically, Lyra,” Andros said slowly. “Why, somehow, you managed to fix the system at Club Belmont, and yourself, to attract my attention.”
“You assume it was all for you?”
He shrugged, the gesture so male, so assuming. “I know it was. I am asking you a question I already know the answer to, but like you I want an answer just as you wanted one from me.”
“You see what I mean about arrogance.”
“It is justified.”
“Indeed it is and there is your answer.”
“Elaborate.”
She sighed, propping her chin on her hand. Her fingers lay on the spot that Andros had caressed and it felt ridiculously warm to her. Though maybe that was just a fancy? “Let’s pretend it’s Regency times, Andros,” she said. “Let’s pretend I’m a genteel, but impoverished, woman who is looking for a protector.”
“And you wish this protector to be me?”
“I figured I would reach for the stars.”
“Because you always get the moon if that fails?”
“Precisely.”
“That I do not doubt.” He paused. “Lord Carl Ainsley would have been your protector in a flash.”
“He does not interest me,” she said.
“He is rich.”
“Not as rich as you.”
Andros laughed, probably because it was so true. “Few people are.”
“And besides I don’t simply want a protector for his money,” Lyra said honestly. After all, she could have just robbed him if that was the case.