Seventy nine

ARABELLA POV

I turned my face away before his lips could touch mine. Then I swooped down under his armpit in his brief moment of shock and escaped from him. Rhys turned around, a sly smile on his face. I did not like it, not one bit. I knew what he was thinking; I could practically smell the arousal on it. However, this was not what I wanted, not now, not here, and not ever.

“Emma,” Rhys murmured. “Am i blind or did you just avoid me?”

“You’re very much clear eyed,” I replied.

“So you are avoiding me.”

“I just told you that your wife is unwell and you went straight to kissing me, in her near presence!”

“I don’t hear her voice, so I think she’s not home.”

“Why do you think the servants are avoiding this floor?” I asked ironically. “Because she’s obviously home and in a sour mood. Thank the goddess that I had my strong pill to knock her out for a short while and help her regain her senses.”

He smiled at me, a long, calculative smile. It was then that I realized that I’d revealed that hi