Before she could have made it two complete steps, his hand shot out quicker than a rattlesnake and caught her wrist. It wasn't painful, but it was firm and unshakably sure. Rhett turned on his heel, his boot making an audible sound against the gravel beneath it. He stood behind her now, close enough that she would feel the warmth of his body against her back. His entire demeanor had changed, even the energy that rolled off of him felt like a silent storm, making the air thick and volatile between them. Rhett said nothing at first, he let the moment pass between them, letting their bodies simply feel the presence of the other. He drew in a breath as though he were savoring the seconds before they slipped away. To anyone who saw them, they appeared to just be speaking, perhaps looking in the same direction.

“I never said you had to be those things, did I?” His voice had dropped to a whisper—it was low, rough and sinfully close to her ear. It was a deep rumble that was softened only by the heat behind it. There was a raw edge to it, that hadn't been there before, a gravelly rasp that sounded like he was done holding back what needed to be said. “You ambushed me, intentionally or unintentionally. You spoke in a way that made you seem afraid or ashamed and in my attempt to ease this, I misunderstood and misspoke. While I may have been overzealous in my enthusiasm, do you not think you have been overzealous in my punishment, making it so quick and absolute? Don't leave, not like this. Teach me, I can learn.” It was a promise threaded through a growl in his voice, intimate and intense.

His hand released her but his body didn't move an inch. Slowly he inclined his head toward her, his hat blocking the nearby light from reaching her face. The wind caused loose strands of her hair to tickle his his own, dancing about his jaw that was set in frustration. “Have dinner with me, dance with me.” He insisted, and a twinkle caught in his steely gaze with the realization she still wore his coat. It was torture to be so close to her, so charged with desire and anger. He wanted to kiss her then more than he ever had. He wanted to bend her head back and become lost in those eyes, to kiss her deeply and passionately. The hurt and confusion in her voice had aroused something in him, something demanding and animalistic. Rhett pressed his mouth lower until his lips nearly touched her ear, the stubble of his beard grazing the delicate skin, “please, darlin', don't let the night end like this.” The sensation of being so close, the tornado of emotions he felt traveled in his voice.