Chapter 22 Death By Cigar

• Henri neared Solene, his pace unhurried. He relished watching her get all flustered with his words, words that even he himself was surprised. They spilled unchecked from his mouth, but he didn’t regret actually saying them. She had to know she was safe ′from’ him, ′with’ him, and that he cared about her safety and happiness above all.
• Gently, he ran his thumb along her cheekbones all the while she stayed glued to her seat. He saw her stiffen briefly, felt her slight discomfort, but he understood why she had these instinctual reactions. Just like him, she was new to this kind of relationship. They both needed to adjust. They both needed to take each step with caution.
• He leaned a little planning to end this evening dinner with a kiss, or kisses maybe, but then he noticed a shadow move in a darkened part of the mansion roof. He knew immediately what this meant.