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I shake my head. “I have a long day to look forward to,” I say with a grimace. “This is the only chance I’ll get to spend some time with you.”
“What about the wound on your leg? Doesn’t it hurt?”
I shake my head. “It’s not so bad anymore. I can move around without any trouble.”
Her gaze focuses on me before she moves closer and wraps her arms around my waist. “I’m so glad you’re feeling better,” she whispers.
“I’m fine, love,” I say, pulling her against me and capturing her lips. A hint of coffee mingles with her sweet taste. Deepening the kiss, I suck on her tongue until she’s melting against me.
“What if we got back to my room for a little exercise?” I say in a low, husky voice.
She chuckles against my neck before stepping away. “Go, get dressed while I pour you some coffee.”
“I could’ve gotten you slick and sweaty, you know,” I say, offering her one last chance.
Laughing, she pushes me. “Hurry up or I’ll go out by myself.”
A sigh escapes me as I relent and head back upstairs to change out of my robe and shorts.
On my way, I peek inside my brothers’ bedroom and find both Simon and Oliver sleeping deeply. Deciding to let them rest, I head to my room.
Once I’ve changed into a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, I go back to the kitchen.
“Here, you go,” says Rory, handing me a warm mug of coffee.
The scent of the hot brew immediately awakens my senses. “Thanks,” I say, taking an eager sip.
I finish my coffee in a few minutes and gesture for Rory to follow me.
“Where are we going?” she asks as I open the cottage’s front door.
“We’ll go to the back lawn of the manor,” I tell her. “It’s closed off and will allow us the privacy we need. Other than our family members, no one’s allowed on the premises.”
“That’s great,” she says with a nervous chuckle. “I won’t be embarrassed in front of the whole pack.”
“Everyone starts somewhere,” I say as we walk down the suburban lane that leads toward the ancient manor in the distance. “It’s brave of you to even do this, Rory.”
Since it’s early morning, the pathway is deserted. Only the soldiers guarding the manor’s premises see us as I lead Rory away from the main entrance.
“I’m so glad summer’s on the way,” she says, taking a deep whiff of the chilly air. “It’ll be nice to work out under a blue sky and get some fresh air.”
We walk until we’ve reached the area behind the manor. A vast expanse of soft green grass stretches to the far edges of the woods that surround the property. It’s the perfect place for Rory to jog and exercise to build her strength.
“How about we start with a warm-up jog?” I ask her.
“Sure,” she says with a nod.
“Let’s go, then!” I say, breaking into a run.
“Wait up!” she cries, sprinting after me.
Teasing her, I run faster.
“Slow down!” she huffs, catching up to me.
Grinning at her, I slow my pace.
Rory’s breaths turn into gasps and pants as she tries to match my pace. Her shorter legs make her run at a faster pace to keep up with me. Not wanting to discourage this early, I fall back and come to a stop.
