Errol did not truly care whether they had tea or not. Beauty's company was all that was important to him. He was content to just be in her presence, to listen to her talk, to watch her laugh and smile, but in this intimate setting, with the two of them alone...
He could not help the sudden sharp intake of breath as she touched his hip. Not out of fear or surprise--what, then? It took him a moment to search through his own sudden rush of emotions. Longing. Desire. It had been a long time since he'd felt anything like that, the pure physicality of it. In that half-second before he'd identified the feeling, it must have been plain on his face. His guard had been down. But... that was preferable right now. Of all the times, and of all the people to be around, this was when it was safest. Beauty was safest. And she deserved to not guess what it was that he was feeling.
His other hand, just as hesitant and shy as hers, went to her hip in a matching gesture. He looked into her eyes, saying nothing, hiding nothing, letting her see the want and fear there.