And finally the only dance left was the dance of lovers entwined, their bodies making music of their own, dancing to a private rhythm, a jazz of harmonic idioms in tune with each other, improvising as they went. The rhythm filled them, fuelled them, spurring them on, finding out what worked, what mixed—and it all did. Every last cell in their bodies seemed to be sated with desire until she could hold back no longer. Every pulse in her body had aligned, focusing towards her very epicentre as he exploded within her. Gasping, her body throbbing, she opened her eyes. She needed to see him at this moment—see the man who had brought her to this magical place. For he was the perfection she craved, he was the ultimate fantasy, and she was living it, loving it.#p#分页标题#e#
To close her eyes now would only taint the dream.
‘What about Aiden?’
His question filtered through the haze, unwelcome and unexpected, the harshness in his voice such a stark contrast to the husky endearments of only moments before.
‘Tabitha?’
She heard the impatient note, the summons for an explanation. Pulling up the heavy white sheet, she tucked it around her, her eyes darting to his, reeling with shock at the contempt so visible, stunned at the change in his demeanour.
Sitting up, she pulled the sheet closer, covering her breasts while knowing it was way too late for false modesty, bemused at the sudden change in him. ‘I can explain…’ she started, running a hand through the riot of curls, searching her mind for an answer. But she didn’t have one. Telling the truth to Zavier might redeem her somewhat, but at what price? Betraying her dearest friend simply wasn’t an option; Aiden’s secret wasn’t hers to share.
He turned his head then, just a fraction, enough for his eyes to burn into her shoulder, to see her stiffen as he carried on. ‘If you love him then tell me, Tabitha, just what are you doing in bed with me? I mean, surely even you can see that this is stretching the boundaries of decency. I guess anyone can make a mistake in the heat of passion, but surely you would have put up a bit of a fight if you truly loved Aiden? I thought I’d at least have to try a bit harder to get you into my room.’
It took a moment to gather her thoughts, to take in all he was saying, but suddenly with vile realisation she saw what he had done. He might have been attracted to her, he might have wanted her, but going through with it—inviting her to his room, seducing her—had all been a test. A test to see if she truly loved his brother, if she could fight the attraction of another man.
And she had failed, dismally failed.
‘You set me up?’ Her lips were white, her voice shaking.
Zavier laughed. ‘Possibly, though I didn’t sense much resistance.’
‘You set me up,’ she repeated, angry now, shocked and hurt at what he had done. ‘You were testing me, trying to see how far I’d go.’ With a whimper of horror she recalled Aiden’s words. ‘He’d crush you in the palm of his hand.’
Zavier Chambers had done just that. He was as inscrutable as he was dangerous, and she had only herself to blame for playing right into his hands.
Grabbing the sheet around her, Tabitha leapt out of bed. Retrieving her flimsy dress and underwear from the floor, she ran into the bathroom. Slamming the door, she grappled with the lock—but he was too quick for her. Forcing the bathroom door open, he strode in. His nudity embarrassed her now, hurt her, a shocking reminder of what she had done. Averting her eyes, she pulled tighter at the sheet. Her eyes sparkled with tears and she squeezed them shut.
Mercifully, he reacted to her embarrassment and tucked a towel around himself before firmly taking hold of her arm and turning her to face him.
‘Stay away from Aiden,’ he hissed, his face menacingly close.
‘Get your hands off me.’ Her voice was amazingly calm—authoritative, even; her shock had been replaced now with a burning anger. ‘You don’t know all the facts. The truth of the matter is that I’m actually doing your damn family a favour by being here.’
‘By making sure we don’t find out Aiden’s gay?’ His sneering reply simultaneously shocked and confused her.
‘You already know?’
‘Of course I know, and if I hadn’t been sure tonight only confirmed it!’
‘Why?’ Her mind was reeling, shocked by the revelation, wondering what Aiden’s reaction would be.#p#分页标题#e#
He let her go then, but Tabitha didn’t move. Her eyes searched his face, demanding an answer, and when it came it was barely audible, his voice a throaty low whisper that she had to strain to catch. ‘Any other man would have been proud to have you on his arm.’