~ Adeline ~

I feel my heart drumming furiously in my chest as I try hard to keep my eyes on his face instead, but goddamn, even his face is crafted with so much precision. His jaw, sharp as a knife. His mismatched eyes, so fucking raw like he can see through me directly.

"I can do it myself," he says to me, voice gruff, "but it'll take a while. And I don't have the patience for it tonight."

My throat tightens.

"You could've called for one of the maids—"

He cuts me off. "I called for ...