Beauty blinked, surprised by the declaration, and more surprised by the delight that filtered through her in waves that increased by breaths. He was going to make them dinner? They'd shared many meals at Bookmark and in the City, but never in her cottage and never in his apartment. She went with him when he led her, then curled on the couch and rested her arms on the back, chin settling over those folded arms so she could watch him work. It was ridiculous how quickly the smile had come, but there it was, bright and brilliant.
"I didn't know you cooked," she said, thoroughly charmed by the surprising turn.
Something was pressing at her calf. She twisted to look down at the couch cushion where she'd knelt, and was surprised to find a paperback book wedged between the cushion and the arm of the couch. She pulled it out and read the title...
... and dissolved into a fit of giggles. "'The Lord of Scoundrels'?" she managed through the laughter. "Oh, sweet Mary!"
Beauty immediately cracked the book open to a random page and read in a sultry voice, "Julian stood in the shadows as he normally did. His dark eyes followed the winsome beauty across the dance floor. There were many young ladies in the marble hall, but none quite so bewitching as the baron's daughter. He must have her. As he watched a young fop bow and offer his hand to dance with her, an irrational wave of jealousy tightened his jaw and drew a growl from his throat. He must have her. She would belong only to him. His thoughts turned to darker things, imagining her sweet cries beneath him, and his hands tightened into fists. The throbbing pain of his manh--'"
At this point, Beauty all but fell into the couch cushions, shrieking with laughter.