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"Complete madness," she agreed, but tilted her face up to mine.
Our mouths were inches apart. I could feel her warm breath against my lips, could see every detail of her face in the moonlight.
Time moved like honey, thick and sweet and impossibly slow. Her hand had somehow found its way to my neck, fingers tangling in my hair.
"Edward..." she whispered again, and the sound of my name on her lips nearly shattered every wall I'd spent years building.
I was going to kiss her. Despite every rule of propriety, every logical argument against such behavior, every professional ethic I'd sworn to uphold—I was going to press my mouth to hers and discover if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.
The space between us disappeared by degrees, our breathing synchronized, our eyes locked in silent communication of intent and desire.
I felt myself drowning in green eyes that held no trace of fear, only wonder and want that matched my own.
One more inch. One more heartbeat. One more—
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for—oh."
Daphne's voice cut through the haze of desire like a blade through silk. Lili and I sprang apart as if burned, the spell broken so abruptly I felt physically disoriented.
My sister stood in the doorway, wearing an elegant opera gown and an expression that cycled rapidly through surprise, understanding, and barely concealed delight.
Her eyes sparkled with the kind of mischief that had gotten us both into trouble throughout our childhood.
"Daphne!" Lili's voice emerged as a squeak, her face now the color of summer roses. "You're back!"
"I am indeed." Daphne stepped fully into the room, somehow making the space feel smaller despite its substantial size. "The gala ended early—something about the soprano having a complete meltdown during the second act. I came to check on you, but I see you've met Edward."
"Met is a generous term," I managed, struggling to reassemble my scattered composure. "We've encountered each other."
"In your bedroom," Daphne observed with a grin that promised future interrogation. "How... fortuitous."
Lili looked mortified. "I got lost! I was looking for the kitchen, and everything looked the same, and I was so tired I just—"
"Fell asleep in Edward's bed?" Daphne's eyes practically glittered with amusement. "Like Goldilocks? How perfectly romantic."
"That comparison has already been made," I said dryly, shooting my sister a warning look.
"Of course it has." She moved further into the room with the fluid grace of someone completely comfortable disrupting private moments. "Well, this is perfect actually. Edward, meet Lili Anderton, my dearest friend from university and current resident of our blue suite. Lili, this is my brother Edward—though I suspect you've already worked that out."
Lili extended her hand with visible determination, and I noticed the slight tremor in her fingers. "Pleased to meet you properly, Mr...?"
"Grosvenor," I supplied, taking her offered hand.
The contact sent electricity shooting up my arm, and her slight intake of breath suggested she felt it too. "Edward Grosvenor."
Her hand was smaller than I'd expected, surprisingly callused in a way that spoke of actual work rather than pampered leisure. I found myself reluctant to release it, my thumb unconsciously brushing across her knuckles.
"Right. Of course. Grosvenor." She tried to withdraw her hand, but my fingers tightened involuntarily. "I'm really sorry about your bed."
"No harm done," I lied smoothly, finally forcing myself to release her.
The loss of contact felt like deprivation. "Though, in future, you might consider avoiding private quarters when exploring unfamiliar houses."
"Trust me, I'll get a map tattooed on my arm before I risk this again." Her smile was wry, self-deprecating, and utterly charming.
Daphne cleared her throat meaningfully. "Yes, well, now that you've been properly introduced, perhaps Lili could actually get to her assigned room? She's had a long day at the studio."
"Studio?" I looked between them, though some part of me already knew the answer.