Chapter 206

• As their lips parted, they locked eyes, both with interrupted breaths and shining gazes, still very close and affected by the intensity and fervor of those kisses. They had desired it so much, they had longed with madness to be like this again, that they could hardly believe it. They closed their eyelids, joined their foreheads, and remained there, in silence, moving very slowly to the rhythm of the ballad, trying to control their emotions and calm their wild hearts.
• Maximilien stepped back a little, took her hand, and led her off the dance floor. They walked through one of the wide doors that led to one of the lonely and dark hallways of the hotel, where they were out of sight of anyone's curious gaze and where they would go unnoticed by anyone, only a few dim lights from the gardens illuminated them.
• "Finally alone," he whispered once they were face to face, holding both of her hands and not taking his eyes off her. She was trembling, and he could feel it.