Saving the Scientist (The Restitution League #2)(60)

Edison closed his eyes. A grand sigh escaped him, as if the weight of his existence was all too much.

Meena shared an amused look with her husband, then she pushed her chair back and rose to collect the breakfast plates.

Which reminded Ada that their household help was currently babysitting her addled dear of a grandmother. She jumped up. “You prepared the meal. I can scrub the dishes.”

While Ada and Meena cleared the dishes, the rest of the group continued planning for Edison’s meeting with the Admiral.

“Do we sneak in on him at home?” Ada heard Spencer ask.

“No,” Edison replied. “The Admiralty. We want everyone who knew about Ada’s device to see me.”

Ada stopped on her way into the kitchen. “Shouldn’t I go then?”

“Too dangerous,” Edison answered quickly. “Our man knows you’re alive, but he can’t be certain you still have the battery. I want to keep it that way.”

“We’ll put it out that Edison has… acquired it.” Spencer threaded his fingers together and thrust his arms out in a great stretch. “And he’s ready to sell.”

“Exactly,” Edison agreed.

“But—" Ada started to interject, but thought better of it. Letting this roomful of people continue to put themselves in danger because of her didn’t sit well.

She wanted to help.

Wanted to take on the risk.

But in doing so, she’d only put them in further jeopardy. She understood that now.

As with her attempts at seduction, she had little experience in this world of greed and violence.

Best let the experts guide her.

She scooped up the butter dish and the empty bacon plate.

Meena was watching her. When Ada looked her way, she smiled. “This is what we do, what we’ve been trained for since we were in the nursery. We’re quite good at it.”

Ada eyed Briar’s knife. “You’re spectacularly good at it. I only wish I could help.”

“Oh you can help. I have need of your particular… talents,” Edison said. “I can’t wait to get you in my workshop.”

When the double meaning in his words registered, her cheeks pinked. Every cell in her body buzzed with anticipation.

It was a wonder the heat between them didn’t set the entire room ablaze. Especially when Edison sent her a wicked little grin.

A grin promising full revenge for her teasing.

Only luck explained why the stack of plates in her hand didn’t slide straight to the floor.

Ada tightened her grasp on the stack of dishes and scurried off to the kitchen like a mouse being stalked by a very large, very hungry cat.

Meena stood at the sink, her back to the door.

“There’s much left to plan,” Ada said. “I can finish here.”

“That’s very generous.” Meena grabbed a well-worn apron from a peg by the back door and handed it to Ada.

Suddenly shy sharing the space with Edison’s cousin, Ada concentrated on tying the apron strings tight.

When she looked up, Meena was gone, but Edison lounged in the doorway. The thin linen of his shirtsleeves allowed her to see the outline of his well-muscled arms. The unbuttoned waistcoat showed off the taut power of his flat abdomen.

He’d eaten a king’s feast for breakfast, but he was eying her as if she were dessert.

“That was a bold move, Mrs. Templeton.”

Ada lifted her chin and crossed her arms over her chest. “I had to know.”

“Know what?”

“If you..." She stopped, unwilling to give voice to her fears.

“Know what?” he insisted.

Ada blew out a huge breath, trying to rid herself of her sudden timidity. “I had to know if you still have the same…” She couldn’t do it. Couldn’t risk seeing the ridicule in his eyes if she’d been mistaken.

His mouth dropped open. “After what we just did?” He spared a glance back over his shoulder toward the parlor before lowering his voice. “Are you asking me if I still want you?”

Ada twisted her hands up in the apron. All she could manage was a small nod.

Edison pressed his hands into the edges of the doorframe.

“I’m rather new at this,” she admitted. “Ever since your family returned, you’ve been distant. I thought you’d come to your senses, that you realized…"

His gaze never leaving hers, Edison moved forward, until only the width of the kitchen table separated them.

He pressed his hands into the wooden top. “Whatever you and I are playing at, never doubt that I want you.”

Ada tried to shrug, as if the matter was of little consequence. “I know you’re greatly experienced at bedplay.” The last few words were barely above a whisper. She paused to take in a fortifying breath. “I have no idea how long men continue to desire—”

Edison tossed his head back. “Desire?” He pinned her with his enigmatic gaze. “What I desire is you.”

He spread his fingers wide, leaning closer. “I want to kiss you, to feel your sweet lips opening beneath mine. I want to unbutton that ridiculous gown and kiss every inch of skin as it’s bared to the light.”

“Once I have you undressed, I want to unpin your hair, to wrap my hands in it while I bend you back over this table and spread your thighs.”