Ultimate Nyssa Glass, H. Burke [cat reading book .TXT] 📗

“Tonight I play the role of your loyal beloved. You must trust me if you are to learn to follow.”

“And the alcohol?” She tilted her head towards the bottle in the bucket.

“To celebrate our success.” Henri offered her his hand. “The music is playing. Do you remember the steps?”

She nodded. “I still don’t see how this,” she swept her hand around the room, “is going to help me learn to follow.”

“If a man is worth loving, he’s worth following. Are you saying your dear Ellis is unworthy?”

She bristled. “I’m saying you’re no Ellis.”

“Touche.” He walked behind the piano. “So for now, in your head, I will be Ellis.”

Something squeaked over the floorboards, and Nyssa’s jaw dropped as Henri wheeled out a chair.

“Where’d you get that?”

“I borrowed it from the local hospital. It’s not as elaborate as your boyfriend’s, but it will serve our purposes. I’ve been practicing with it all morning, and I think I’ve managed to put together an elegant but simple routine that should suffice.” He sat down. “It is new for me as well. I will have to lead primarily with my arms, no footwork. I feel as if I’ve been cut in half, but for you, my charming ice princess, I will try.” He stretched out his hands. “Shall we?”

Nyssa exhaled. Her face warmed.Stupid and vain of me to think this was supposed to be romantic. I’m not the sort of girl men trip over themselves to entice. Henri probably has his pick of belles. I’m just a client.

“I owe you an apology, Henri. I thought the worst of you when you really are trying. This is … more than I expected.”

“I have hidden depths.” He winked. “Now, come! We shall dance!”

Nyssa stepped forward. He slipped one hand into hers.

“Let’s try walking side by side first. Forward, forward. Now step before me and we’ll move diagonally.”

She did her best to follow, but had to dodge to stop him from running over her toes.

“Again!” he ordered.

Tension built between her shoulder blades. Stepping backwards, she tripped over her own heels. Henri yanked her forward to keep her from falling, and she landed in his lap. She scrambled up, blushing.

Henri raised an eyebrow. “You still do not trust me?”

“It’s hard.” She bit her bottom lip. Telling him of Ellis’s suspicions felt like a betrayal to Ellis. “Maybe I should go.”

“No, we’re making progress. Don’t give up now.” He stood, reached into his breast pocket, and pulled out a strip of dark cloth. “I was saving this for just such an emergency.”

“Are you going to tie me up?” She shied away from him.

“You must believe the fantasy. Let me be Ellis for you.” Slipping behind her, he looped the cloth over her eyes.

Nyssa shuddered and pushed it away. “No. This is a bad idea.”

“This is a brilliant idea.” He put the blindfold back in place. “Please, Miss Nyssa, trust me just this once. I’ve done this with many students. It is my secret weapon.”

Steadying her breathing, Nyssa allowed him to tie the cloth over her eyes. I can always remove it, she promised herself. It’s not as if he’s tied my hands. If he tries that, I’m kicking him in the knee and running.

A quiver cut through her when he placed his hand in hers. His other hand settled on her waist.

She frowned. “You’re not sitting.”

“Not yet. This is to teach you to follow only. I will turn to the chair once that has been accomplished.”

Stiff as rusty gears, Nyssa felt for his shoulder.

“There. Now remember. You will go back—”

“I know, back right, back left, feet together. Remembering the steps isn’t my problem.”

“Good.” She could hear the self-satisfied smirk in his tone. “And one, two, three …” He propelled her backwards. Her grip on his shoulder tightened. “I won’t drop you. Trust, Nyss, trust.”

She cringed. “Don’t call me that. Only Ellis calls me that.”

“Ah, but now, I am Ellis. That is the point to this exercise.”

Nyssa bit back a retort and focused on the music and the movement. With graceful swaying motion, Henri led her about the room, the spicy odor of his cologne mixing with the candle smoke. She had to admit, in the darkness his strong arms were a comfort, the only thing that kept her from flailing about looking for a wall.

“You are quite elegant when you allow yourself to be,” Henri’s voice became silken. “If given more time with you, I could make you the toast of fashionable parties.”

“I don’t want that. I just want …”

“I know, you just want to dance with your boyfriend.” He scoffed. “A woman such as you does not deserve such obscurity, all buttoned up in grays and browns. You should wear scarlet and twirl beneath crystal chandeliers … on the arms of a man who can stand tall beside you.”

Nyssa stiffened as his hand slid lower. His fingers gripped her hip. She froze mid-step, but rather than withdraw, he came closer. His breath tickled her face, and before she could flee, he pulled her body against his and set his lips to hers. Her mouth fell open in horror. His tongue snaked in, and instinctively she bit down. Henri shrieked.

Quivering with rage, Nyssa ripped the blindfold from her face with one hand and shoved him with the other. “How dare you!”

“How dare I?” Henri dabbed at this mouth. “You little witch. You drew blood.”

“You’re lucky I didn’t give you a black eye while I was at it!” Nyssa backed towards the door. “What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking you deserved a real man, one who could stand on his own feet.” His lips curled. “Now I see you want a weakling you can lead like a puppy. Your crippled boyfriend suits you well.”

“You aren’t even half the man Ellis is. He was right about you, and I should’ve listened to him. You’re an arrogant pig.” She reached for her satchel which lay beside the door. “You have no idea what it takes to be a real man.”

Glaring, Henri stepped towards