AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It?” Brown eyes peered, puzzled, then cleared. “Arousal.”
It felt odd talking about it in the open, but Pampei’s open study told her they couldn’t make a mistake. Then there was Henry’s gaze, quietly demanding the answer as it flicked to her mouth, then returned to her eyes.
“Yes,” she blurted out.
“You mean they didn’t make you come.”
The word said out loud while he looked at her like that should be illegal.
Focus.
“Hmm. To be fair, it’s not like they didn’t try, so it might be a me problem. I just got bored.”
She squeezed his thigh, willing him to let go of the topic and not rouse Pampei’s suspicion. A sound coasted off her throat when his muscles jumped under her fingers, but Henry tugged her hand and clasped it before she could feel more. He still rested it on his thigh, but now his thumb was running gentle circles over her palm.
“No, it’s not. It’s their problem. I made you come. I always make you come…sweetheart.”
In the blink of an eye, she forgot about the pretense as her knees went weak and her panties became wet. Images flew at rapid speed and had her fantasizing about the man doing just that before reality seized her back and reminded her he was lying. It hadn’t happened. He hadn’t touched her…wouldn’t touch her, and he was just playing along with her pretense. The regret of it had her yearning increasing tenfold until all she wanted to do was climb the infuriating man’s clueless lap and—and what?
Tease him for fueling the fire. Kiss the hell out of him. Grind and grind until he’s hard as stone and ride him until he dissolves into pleasure.
“I see now,” Pampei mused.
“See what?” Pearl asked, so turned on that it left her dazed.
“Slow burn. You slept with your men immediately, but not with him. He matters more than they did.” A pause, then, “No wonder he’s crazy about you.”
Pippa entered the dining room just before either’s response could get them in trouble.
“Papa, that’s enough interrogation on our guests. I think they’re tired, too, and need rest. Do you have any place to stay?”
The dangerous territory dwindled, but Pearl was still shaken when she replied.
“We will find one. For now, somewhere out of the Lyras’ radar seems like a good idea.”
Pippa accompanied them to the yard, where they paused right by the barrier.
“My cottage is free if you’re out of options,” the woman offered. “It’s not much, but…”
“Thank you,” Pearl said, meaning it. They glanced at Henry, who was leaning heavily against her and trying to keep his head up. Pippa hesitated, then—
“The graveyard is a good place to start.”
“What?”
“You came here snooping around for answers, but there’s none.” Pippa’s tone was matter-of-fact. “The graveyard, however, holds all kinds of secrets—stuff that I hope wouldn’t affect Papa in any way, considering he’s already living a peaceful life here.”
The warning was light but firm. Pearl considered the woman in a new light.
“That’s…enlightening, Pippa.”
“Now, I don’t know what answers you’re searching for, but whatever it is, it’s always still a good idea to visit dead kin. Just food for thought.”
“Of course.”
“Anyway, stay safe, and don’t get arrested like Papa.”
Pippa waved at her father, who was also leaning against the doorway and heavily buzzed. Pampei waved back—and just like that, Pearl knew their exit was clear. Carefully, she steered Henry out of there and ambled away in silence, letting her energy flutter when they were out of sight. As expected, it did nothing to remove the alcohol in their system.
