se-close enough that she co

oks, her fingers accident

lean-veins visibl

or just a second bef

me up the stairs, or how much of her c

sed on the phone made her want to sink into t

you," s

mused. His arranged bride was

en though embarrassment was eating her ali

chael's call had rattled her enough that she

rself it wouldn

erself and started, "Mr. Mill

, cutting her off bef

better go start on t

elyn's face. He'd

sement. Flustered and vulnerable,

ou like y

said before she c

hed face one more time, his amusement

a long breath. She'd only made up the candlelit dinner to get her mother o

n a single word of it. Her mind kept circling back to what had just happen

ller has dinner read

ent a good five minutes pulling herself together, then picked

g on the sofa, one leg crossed over t

res, and his eyes went straight to her the moment she walked i

, a practiced s

as dangerous and unpredictable, someon

m, she'd learned he wasn't just protective

rfect-tender, ju

d taken her first bite b

lly

er glass wi

r than she probably should have. Her lips were still damp with wi

n eyebrow at he

n nod

inally caught up with her, softenin

ing. "You know, Kellan, you're actually not s

flushed and eyes a little unfocused, but Kel

himself over the years and had nev

hout any shame. His eyes gave nothing away, and his sha

f her usual restraint. He was t

can barely even see you

thinking twice and

ly ever called him "Mr. Miller." Apparently it only

drunk,"

ggest such a thing. "I can hold my liquor just f

led forward. Before she could hit the floor, Kellan caught her and

y drunk," he said,

up and hooked a finger under his chin

tease him like that. He was so caught

"No, not like that. T

the corner of his mouth and push