AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She sat on the bed and looked up at him, the ruffles of her nightcap obscuring her vision. She tugged at the cap, trying to lift it higher, but it fell back on her eyes.
“Blast,” she muttered. “I hate clothing.”
Jarvis snorted. “No need to wear clothing on my account.”
Olivia, misunderstanding his innuendo, took off the cap. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders.
He had never seen her with her hair down. At least not since she was a little girl. Back then, she would often run around the estate, her dark brown hair blowing in the wind. He knew the color all too well. But in the light of the fire from the hearth, it glowed mahogany red.
He sat next to her, and she turned to face him.
“Why do you wear a mask?” she asked.
“To protect my identity.”
“From me?”
“From everyone.”
She looked down, picking at her fingertips.
Jarvis put his hand on hers. Her fingers were icy.
“You are freezing,” he whispered.
“The draft was chilly,” she said with a smile.
Oh, my innocent little Olive.She was freezing with the window open, and yet she hadn’t closed it. She was waiting for him.
Jarvis stood. “Get back under the covers.”
Olivia complied, climbing onto the bed. Jarvis stifled the urge to follow her and snuggle up beside her. She was so trusting. What if it wasn’t him? What if he didn’t have honorable intentions?
Jarvis covered her with a coverlet and perched himself atop the bed. “You shouldn’t be so trusting,” he said.
“With you?” She looked up at him, her gaze running around his mask.
“With anyone. Especially me. You don’t even know me.”
Olivia reached for him and took his hand in hers. Jarvis’s eyes closed briefly at the contact. Her fingers were icy, but they lit the fire inside him.
“I know you saved me,” she whispered. “Why would you save me if you wished me harm?”
“There are bad people in this world. You shouldn’t trust anyone.”
“Anyone?”
“Anyone.” Jarvis nodded.
“Do you trust no one then?” She cocked her head to the side and studied him intently.
He didn’t answer.
Olivia reached up and traced his mask with her finger, then ran her finger down his handkerchief, over his nose, his lips.
“It is a lonely way to live, isn’t it?”
Jarvis caught her hand and brought it to his lips. He wished he could take off this cloth and kiss her fingers. Hell, kiss her sweet lips, devour her mouth. He wanted to climb into bed with her and trace her gentle curves, taste her skin. The temptation was almost unbearable.
