The embers in the hearth smoldered and crackled as they consumed all they could to not be snuffed out. They threw long shadows across the stone walls, which pulled Theo from his slumber. His body ached, and he clung to the blanket as the golden morning light filtered through the shutters.
Rolling to his side, he tried to reject the call of the new day. He wanted to go back to the warm embrace of his dreams, where Lavina teased and tormented him with her ample curves and seductive smirk. Unfortunately, the day couldn’t be held back.
He groaned quietly as he shifted on the fur-lined rug by the fire. His back ached, making him wonder just how many more nights Lavina would keep him sleeping on the floor. If it was going to be much longer, he was going to have to bring in a couch.
The floor was unforgiving, making every muscle in his back scream with pain. It didn’t matter which way he stretched; therewas pain and discomfort. His makeshift bed offered little chance for sleep, but the kink in his neck tormented his thoughts.
No, it was the soft sound of her breathing.
He closed his eyes and allowed himself a moment. It was too easy to envision slipping into the bed and nestling next to her warm body.
He pulled in a deep breath as his other senses stirred. His manhood twitched with an eagerness that snapped him out of the fantasy. Immediately, his gaze shot to the bed, where the gentle rustle of sheets alerted him to her movements.
He swallowed hard, fighting the urge to move to the bed and slip his hand under the sheets. The thought of being able to touch her thrilled him. But as he found himself drawn to her, he couldn’t bring himself to disturb her.
Lavina was curled up in the center of the bed, tangled in the heavy covers. Her hair spilled across her cheek like a curtain separating them.
Theo’s eyes shifted to her chest and watched as it rose and fell with each slow, steady breath. Her face, which was usually set in stubborn resolve or biting wit, was now soft with the deep slumber.
She took his breath away as he studied the faint shadows her lashes cast over her cheeks.
The second she stirred, he jolted back, unwilling to disturb her. She was so peaceful like this, not to mention quiet.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like her voice; it was the fact that he had grown weary of the constant accusations. He wished he knew what he could do to make her believe him. But until he brought her proof, he would have to deal with her anger.
“Rest easy, lass. You’re safe, just as I promised,” he whispered, aching to touch her.
But he knew the moment he gave in to temptation, it would ignite a fire within him he wouldn’t be able to put out. But, for the first time in years, he started to wonder if maybe he shouldn’t quell the desires raging within him.
After all, she didn’t recoil from him as others did. And as much as he wanted to steal kisses from her while she slept, he had to remind himself that he wanted the kisses to be gifts for him to cherish. So he pulled back, turned on his heel, and made a beeline for the door.
“Theo…” Lavina’s voice was soft and distant, but it caused him to freeze.
He glanced over his shoulder at her, his hand wrapped around the knob.
Lavina turned her head and murmured something in her sleep.
Theo’s chest tightened as he found himself hanging on her every breath as if it were a lifeline. Her brow creased ever so slightly as she curled her fingers against her chest like a child holding tight to a dream.
And in that vulnerable moment, lust pricked him.
He let out a slow breath and turned back to the door, trying to fight through the longing jabbing at his senses.
Ye have a lifetime. Patience… Soon, I’ll nae have to steal any kisses from ye. Ye’ll give them to me freely.
He stood tall then, raking a hand through his tousled hair, and took one last look at her. She was peaceful, alive, and utterly unaware of how deeply she was already rooted in his thoughts.
He slowly pulled the door open and whispered, “Have a good day, Lavina.”
The click of the latch was faint as he slipped out into the corridor. He wanted to stay there with her and watch her wake up, but the day ahead was full of tasks that needed his attention.
The only problem he could foresee was the fact that Lavina dominated his thoughts. There was no way he was going to be able to put her out of his mind now, not when it was clear that she was dreaming of him.
In what way, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. But just hearing his name on her lips without the irritation that she sprinkled like seasoning on her words made his heart skip a beat.
Maybe today will be a good day.
“Ye’ll see that we need to reinforce the fences in this part of the field. I dinnae ken how else the cattle are gettin’ out other than that spot right there,” Stephen said, tapping his finger on the map as he walked alongside Theo down the dreary corridor.
