Hey guys... I'm so sorry I haven't posted, collage has taken up all my time and I just moved :P But I am (slowly) working on the sequel to "Protection of a Lady" and here is a sneak peek. Not sure when it will be finished, but just know that I am working on it and it WILL be finished I promise :) Comment what you think!

-KoMoose

**7 months latter**

"Please come." Gideon said, prepared to get onto his hands and knees.
Sophie just rolled her eyes and repeated herself. "It is improper, Gideon. You are a gentlemen and I am a servant. You must take someone more suitable, more…"
"You're right." Gideon cut in. His face was twisted in thought. "You are right, as always Sophie."
The words stung, he had finely come to his senses. She turned away from him, not wanting him to see the pain that reddened her cheeks. She closed her eyes tight but then felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Miss Collins." Gideon said, turning her around to face him. "Will you accompany me to the Christmas party? It's at the mundane police chief's home, no one knows you in this crowd, you could be a princess if you wish and no one would contradict you." He stroked her cheek, from the tip of her temple to the base of her neck.
"Gideon…" She stuttered. It felt as though he was setting her on fire, not only with his touch but with the fact that he truly wanted her to be with him tonight. Her. "I-"
The door opened with a bang and the two jumped apart. Jem, Tessa, and Will came striding into the parlor. Jem and Will looked to be in deep conversation.
"You can't just behead it!" Will sounded as though he was finishing a thought, he looked as though he would have continued but he stopped when he saw the couple.
"Everything alright?" Jem asked. His voice sounded painfully sore.
The three moved to the couch. Each in their own why demanding answers.
"I'm just trying to convince Sophie to go to a party with me tonight." Gideon confided in them, to Sophie's great shock.
Tessa's ears perked up. "A party?" She asked almost as excited as she would be if they were discussing books. "Where?"
Gideon sat down beside her. "A mundane's home. The man is a… well I guess you could say he is an asset to my fathers and we are invited every year to his Christmas party. I must go out of kindness and I know for a fact that none of my family will be attending-" He looked sadly at Sophie. "And I don't wish to go alone."
Sophie turned away from him and busied herself with lighting the fire. Why must he be such a child about this? She knew –without hafting to look- that he was looking away from her. He never drew attention to how he felt, it was in his nature. She heard him speak to with Jem, Will, and Tessa but she couldn't make out a word. She wanted to go, with all her soul she did but it wasn't right.
"It is decided then!" Jem's voice sounded. "We will all go."
Good, Sophie thought. She poked at the fire. At least he will have company.
"I'm not sure Jem." Will said. "You're just getting over last night and Tessa's-"
"Will, I have not left the institute in almost a month-"
"And besides," Jem cut in, "This would be the last place anyone would look for her. A mundane's party? Why would anyone think to look there?"
"True, it's probably as safe as the Institute." Gideon spoke at last.
By the angels, did Sophie love his voice. It sent Goosebumps up and down her arms, she wanted to drown in his voice. She had always thought that she would never find a voice as sweet as Jem's and it was true, no voice was as sweet but Gideon's voice was more than sweet. She couldn't put a word to it; it was like hot soup when you were sick, or melted dark chocolate.
"Tessa, can Sophie use one of your dresses?" The chocolate voice said… Wait what?