AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Spinning, Olivia found Conner standing in the entrance with a cocked grin and soft eyes. He bore a tray of fresh bread, goat’s cheese, and a jug of milk. Dressed in plaid breeches and a loose léine, the sight of him brought memories of the night before. How she had lost every inhibition she had and had kissed and licked her way across every inch of that broad, golden chest.
As if reading her mind, he gave her a slow, sensual smile. His voice was low and deep, gliding over her skin like honey. “Good mornin’.”
Olivia went right before him and rested both hands on either shoulder. “Good morning to ye as well.”
Shifting the tray to one hand, he laced his free hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a long, slow kiss. Conner’s thumb caressed her cheekbone when he pulled away. “I apologize for nae being here this morning, with ye.”
“It’s all right,” she said, heat rushing to her face. It was his lingering gaze that caused all her insecurities to fade. Nibbling her lower lip, she drew her eyes back to him.
His brows met in the middle. “Are ye sure? I happen to ken that women feel, well, comforted, when their lover stays by their side after a night like what we shared.”
“Tis’ fine,” Olivia mumbled, nearly forgetting what it was they were talking about. Her mind wasn’t on what she had missed, but more on the things that he gave to her. She felt her pulse throbbing as it quickened. It didn’t matter what she was thinking about before, those thoughts were gone now. All that mattered was Conner. He was there now, standing before her.
Even as he slowly slipped his hand off her, her face still burned from his touch. In fact, her whole body felt flustered and feverish recalling all the places he had touched her last night.
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she glanced to the tray in his hand. “Here,” she said. “Allow me.”
Before Conner could protest, the tray was out of his hands and in hers. She moved to the small table in the nook of the room situated between two smaller chairs. Nudging her head to him, she hoped she wouldn’t have to beg him to stay a bit.
Conner’s lips curled on one side as he moved to the empty chair and sat. Lowering herself into the chair, she waited on him. Although her stomach twisted from hunger, with him so close beside her, she didn’t dare touch the food first.
“Are ye nae goin’ to eat?” she asked. Conner reached for the bread and broke off a small chunk. Only when he swallowed the first bite did she grab food for herself.
“So,” he said, struggling to find words to fill the silence between them. “What are ye plannin’ to do wit’ yer day?”
“I daenae ken,” she answered, nibbling on the slice of cheese. “Perhaps address the matters of the house.”
Conner’s eyebrows scrunched to the bridge of his nose and he glanced about the room. “And what is it ye find so appalling about the room?”
“Oh,” Olivia said, swallowing down the food quickly to answer. “It’s nae just this room, but the whole castle. There are things about it that are out of date. And to be honest, nae respectable woman should have to live wit’.”
“Such as?” Conner asked with a wave of his hand.
“Well, the drawin’ room could use a bit more color to it, and the sittin’ room looks like somethin’ ye’d find in a gentleman’s parlor. Which I’m certain ye have one of those already. Are ye sayin’ ye daenae want me to make this place my home?”
“When ye put it that way, how can I object?” he huffed.
“I have nae plans to upend everythin’, but it’s clear there hasnae been a woman’s touch about the place in some time. And I thought, seein’ as how we’re married now, ye might permit me some choice items, here and there of course.”
“Aye,” he said, narrowing his gaze. “I suppose there has been some neglect to the property.”
“It’s understandable,” Olivia said, slipping her hand across the table. His hand seared her palm as she grabbed it. “But I promise I’ll nae make any major changes ye daenae want.”
Conner shook his head as his eyes shifted to her hand on top of his. “Nae, ye make this place yer home. Ye have my permission to dae whatever it is ye see fit to do. Just promise me ye’ll leave the study as it is?”
Olivia smiled as she rubbed her fingertips over his knuckles. Her heart fluttered as her thoughts drifted to the way he felt last night. The heat of his body rolling off him and blanketing her in comfort and security. She let out a small gasp as her eyes drew up to meet his face.
Fixated on his Adam’s apple, she watched it bob in his throat as she realized his fingers were brushing her hand so delicately it made her stomach flip with anticipation. Every moment with him felt like a dream. She couldn’t help but blush as her eyes met his.
“What are ye thinkin’ about?” he asked, his voice laced with tenderness. Olivia pulled in a deep breath and shook her head. She knew it would be far too embarrassing to tell him the truth. After all, it wasn’t a decent meal conversation. Conner leaned closer as if to draw out her innermost secrets with his eyes. She could feel him boring into her as she kept her eyes locked on the way his veins flowed into his hands.
“Tis nothin’,” she mumbled, afraid her voice would give away her inner desires. All she could think of was how wonderful he made her feel last night.
“Ye ken ye can tell me anythin’,” he said as she caught him tilting his head from the corner of her eye. Bobbing her head, she wondered how he would take what she had to tell him. How badly she wanted him to do it again, if only to keep the memory fresh and alive within her mind.
Before she could open her mouth, Conner’s back straightened as rigid as an iron rod. Slowly he pulled his hand from hers and cleared his throat.
“Everythin’ alright?” she asked, the rush of rejection plowed through her as she watched him scoot his chair away from the table.
