Page 12 of The Earl That Got Away (Sirens in Silk #2)

Chapter Ten

Before

Philadelphia

I t’s massive.” Naila stared up at the ornate building, taking in the intricate details, the arched entry ways, the multiple layers of patterned wood trim and windows flanked by columns. “And breathtaking.”

“I thought you might like to see it,” Basil said with a satisfied smile. “No one appreciates buildings more than you.”

“What is this place?” She took in the scaffolding up against a significant part of the mammoth building’s facade. “Are they renovating?”

“It’s the new city hall. They’ve been building it for years now and it could take another decade to complete.”

“How do you know that?” she asked. “You’re almost as new to Philadelphia as I am.”

“I made it my business to learn about all of the significant structures in Philadelphia. I wouldn’t want you to get bored in my company.”

“As if that were possible.” Basil was the least boring person she’d ever met. She took his arm while they walked the perimeter with Naila soaking in every detail. She couldn’t be gone for long. She’d slipped out to meet Inglese the moment the older aunties took their afternoon naps.

She and Basil had managed to meet a handful of times since the library, always when the older women retreated to their rooms to rest. There was no other way to see each other.

Naila’s family would strictly forbid any encounters between them.

Naila and her sister Raya were each expected to marry a boy from a good family in Little Syria, just as their sister Nadine had dutifully done the previous summer.

During this stolen time together, Naila and Basil often walked neighborhoods where they wouldn’t be recognized, which wasn’t difficult since both were visitors to the city and didn’t know many people.

On Market Street, they strolled along the shops, stopping for Naila to admire some hats in a store window.

“Shall I buy you one?” Basil asked. “Anything you want.”

“Which one should I get?” She pointed to the most ridiculous one, an oversize bonnet adorned with an explosion of pinkish-brown flowers and feathers.

“Anything but that one,” he amended. “That might be the ugliest color of hat that I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“What’s wrong with it?” She considered the hat’s unique shade. “Would you say that color is puce?”

“It looks like a sad, muddy version of pink,” he responded. “But if you truly want it, I will avert my eyes and buy it for you.”

“It’s such a hot day,” she said. “Let’s have ice cream instead.”

“Let’s,” he said with a wink. “As long as it’s not puce-colored.”

She laughed and they made their way to the ice cream shop down the street.

But Naila’s heart stumbled the moment she entered the shop.

She spotted her cousin Eyad at a table with friends, their laughter drifting over to her.

She ducked out immediately, hoping he hadn’t seen her, and walked away as fast as she could.

“What is it?” Basil asked, following her until they were well away from the ice cream shop.

“Eyad is in there,” she hissed. “My cousin can’t see us.”

He made a sound of frustration. “I do wish you’d allow me to call on you properly.”

“Aunt Majida will insist on returning to New York if you show any interest in me.”

His jaw clenched. “My intentions are honorable.”

“We are just enjoying each other’s company for the summer.” She reminded him again, as she always did when they met. “That is all.”

“Naila, I’m trying to court you. Why do you insist on hiding it?” he demanded to know. “Why won’t you allow me to prove myself to your family?”

“Because you won’t able to.” It was becoming a familiar argument between them. Basil would never understand her family’s requirements. “There is nothing you could do to win them over.”

“Why not?” he asked. “Why wouldn’t I be able to convince your family?”

“It’s just the way our culture is,” she said, frustrated. “It’s hard to explain. Please don’t be so serious. Can’t we just enjoy ourselves?”

Even though she counted the minutes until they could spend time together, Naila refused to allow herself to develop feelings for Basil.

It wasn’t easy. Basil was smart and curious and had a wonderful sense of humor.

But she’d known from the outset that they were from different worlds.

When the summer was over, they would be forced to return to their real lives.

“Are you ashamed of me?” he asked.

“Of course not.” She took him in, appreciating every aspect of his physical form, from his ruffled chestnut curls and steely gray eyes to his athletic body. “Any young lady would be proud to walk beside you.”

“Anyone but you.”

“I suppose I have to prove it to you,” she said flirtatiously, hoping to distract him from a problem that had no resolution. She pulled him into the nearest alley, walking until they were out of sight of any passersby.

“Where are we going?”

“Here.” She pushed him up against the wall.

She was determined not to end their acquaintanceship before they’d kissed at least once.

Although she was inexperienced with boys, Naila knew they usually wanted to kiss her.

Standing on the tips of her toes, she pressed her lips against Basil’s.

It was sweet and quick. But not life-altering. “There.”

He blinked. “What was that?”

“I have never kissed a boy. That was perfectly pleasant.”

His eyes sparked. “That was not a kiss.”

Her brows drew together. “It wasn’t?”

He swung her around, reversing their positions so that she was the one up against the wall now. Looking deeply into her eyes, he cupped her cheeks in both hands. His thumbs stroked her cheeks with a featherlight touch that sent a shiver of pleasure through her.

Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he slowly lowered his head, building the anticipation between them.

An answering heat rose in Naila as she stared back into Basil’s eyes.

He tilted his head before finally settling his mouth on hers with the lightest of touches.

She closed her eyes, all of her focus on the way he was touching her, with lips that were firm yet yielding.

He brushed his lips against hers several times, then kissed her top lip and then the bottom one. He explored the shape of her mouth, as if he were savoring something delicious. Naila’s legs melted beneath her.

He nipped at her lips and when her mouth parted in surprise, his tongue gently came into her mouth and touched hers.

His tongue immediately pulled back and hers instinctively searched him out.

She felt him smile against her lips as his tongue played with hers, the movements shallow, quick and playful.

She was drowning and flying at the same time. In the best possible way.

When he pulled back—much too soon—she wanted to cry out in protest. She blinked her eyes open, hazy pleasure thrumming through her. She’d never experienced so much sensation. It was as if her body had just awakened from a lifelong slumber.

“That,” he said, his voice low and throaty, “is a kiss.”