Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and entered the room, closing the door softly behind her. The lanterns had beenlit, casting long shadows on the papered blue walls. The fire blazed, adding a warm, cozy feel to the room.
With him not here, she took the time to study his living space. She hadn’t been able to see much of it last night. She’d had many more important things to discover. Her body heated at the thought. Strong frissons ran up her arms.
Large, upholstered chairs sat on each side of the fireplace, a table betwixt them. There were books stacked there. She approached and read the titles, but they were not familiar to her.
A painting of what appeared to be the gardens hung on one wall, the sea just visible at the top of the painting. She studied the piece. It was done well. She read the script in the lower corner. Burnett, signed with a big sweeping B.
Had Gunn painted this? He surprised her more and more every day.
At the sideboard, a bottle of whisky and a carafe of wine with glasses were on a tray of silver.
There was a wardrobe, and a dresser on the opposite wall.
The postered bed was flanked by two tables, the intricate designs the same as carved into the bed. A thick blue duvet covered the mattress, with a darker blue blanket folded at the foot. Blue, maroon, and cream pillows decorated the head of the bed.
In front of it, a cushioned bench sat where she pictured Gunn sitting to remove his boots after a long day of work.
She moved to the bed, taking the decorative pillows off and piling them on one of the chairs. Then she slipped off her robe, leaving her only in her thin nightdress, the cool air pimpling her skin. Drawing back the duvet, she slid into bed, settling onto the pillow, and covering herself up.
Suddenly nervous, she wondered if instead of enjoying the surprise, Gunn may be angry with her. Worrying her lip, she ran through different scenarios in her mind.
As more time passed, she wondered if mayhap this was a bad idea. Should she return to her room? But then she thought about Gunn coming to find her this morning after she’d snuck back to her own room.
She got the feeling that he had wanted to wake up with her beside him.
She wanted that, too.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to stay put, and eagerly awaited his return.
Some time had passed, a lot actually, and her eyes were growing heavy. She was wondering if he was going to return tonight, when she heard a knock on the door of her room.
He’d returned!
Her heart skipped a beat, and her pulse quickened.
“Joss?” She heard him call gently.
She could call out. Alert him to where she was, but she wanted to surprise him. She couldn’t give herself away, so she waited.
He called out one more time, and when she didn’t answer, she heard his footsteps approach.
Holding her breath, she wet her lips as the door swung open.
His eyes clashed with hers the moment Gunn entered the room, flaring wide, a devilish smile on his face.
