Walter Scott, Marmion
Chapter 13
Kitten
Following a two day honeymoon-like renewal to our relationship, I realize nothing has changed. If I thought calling out to Lord Ice was going to fix things between us, I was sadly mistaken. I am covered with bruises on the tops and backs of my thighs, but I woke up this morning alone, no one beside me to worship the marks with gratitude. It was quite anti-climactic and to find him sullen over breakfast was more than I could take. I went back to bed, citing morning sickness. I think we both knew it was a lie. The truth is, Thomas isn’t here and we just don’t seem to work well as a couple without him.
I would still be in bed sobbing if Thomas hadn’t text me, asking me to meet him. I didn’t tell Garrett, and I’m not going to. So much for being a good submissive .
“I’m going into the office this morning.” My announcement doesn’t make Master happy. I’ve caught him staring through the large front window at the skyline. He could as easily be looking at a bare wall because I don’t think he’s seeing the view.
When he turns to look at me, his eyes widen and I think I might have tried too hard to be believable. I took time, styling my hair with the curling iron, carefully applying my makeup, even choosing sensible if not completely conventional pumps. They are leopard spotted. I just couldn’t resist funking-up the conservative brown tweed skirt-suit a little. Ditto for beneath my jacket, two layers, a white oxford shirt with a brown t-shirt pulled over the top, which proclaims: Got pussy?
Garrett doesn’t say whether I look good, or ridiculous, but does arch his brow.
“I know. Doctor’s appointment at four. I’m not going to forget, but I’ve neglected the paper for weeks and you know it.” I grab my briefcase which is stashed in the credenza.
“Sit.” Garrett gestures to the sofa.
Oh God, I do not want to argue about this . My coat and car keys are already in hand as I’d hoped to race out and not get into a conversation about whether I should or shouldn’t go to the office. The clock is ticking, though I left myself plenty of time, knowing this might happen. Damn it . I sit. My pulse is racing when he joins me on the edge of the sofa and takes my hand. I hope he doesn’t notice my sweating palms.
“We need to talk about Thomas.”
He knows. My heart stops beating, fearing somehow that he has guessed I am lying to him. “You’ve heard from him?”
“No, and I’m not so certain we’re going to. His brother brought danger into our home by showing up here. He’s obviously in trouble, on the run. Thomas took him away as quickly as he could—against my medical advice—because he was more worried about our safety than his brother’s life. He was protecting us. He may have left the country for all we know.”
This is why he’s been moody all morning? I swallow, hard, my heart in my chest. He misses Thomas as much as I do. I should tell him about the text. Oh God. The lies, the lies, piling one on top of the other. I take a deep breath, considering carefully how I would respond if I didn’t know that Thomas was in fact okay and still in the city. “You’re thinking he might be gone for a long time. Months maybe?”
He takes my hand in his. Holding my gaze, he kisses my knuckles. “I’m trying to prepare you that he may never come back.”
“Did he say that to you?” I try to sound affronted. God, what am I doing? Garrett and Thomas have both on separate occasions accused me of being such a good actress they hardly know what to believe. It isn’t true. I just keep getting put in these situations…where the truth isn’t always the best thing to say.
“I haven’t heard from him.” His eyes ask if I have, even though he doesn’t ask, or maybe I am just feeling guilty.
I jerk my hand away and stand. I’m on the verge of hysterics, I can feel it. My chest weighs a hundred pounds, I can’t breathe. I want to scream, but I know if
Chapter 13
Kitten
Following a two day honeymoon-like renewal to our relationship, I realize nothing has changed. If I thought calling out to Lord Ice was going to fix things between us, I was sadly mistaken. I am covered with bruises on the tops and backs of my thighs, but I woke up this morning alone, no one beside me to worship the marks with gratitude. It was quite anti-climactic and to find him sullen over breakfast was more than I could take. I went back to bed, citing morning sickness. I think we both knew it was a lie. The truth is, Thomas isn’t here and we just don’t seem to work well as a couple without him.
I would still be in bed sobbing if Thomas hadn’t text me, asking me to meet him. I didn’t tell Garrett, and I’m not going to. So much for being a good submissive .
“I’m going into the office this morning.” My announcement doesn’t make Master happy. I’ve caught him staring through the large front window at the skyline. He could as easily be looking at a bare wall because I don’t think he’s seeing the view.
When he turns to look at me, his eyes widen and I think I might have tried too hard to be believable. I took time, styling my hair with the curling iron, carefully applying my makeup, even choosing sensible if not completely conventional pumps. They are leopard spotted. I just couldn’t resist funking-up the conservative brown tweed skirt-suit a little. Ditto for beneath my jacket, two layers, a white oxford shirt with a brown t-shirt pulled over the top, which proclaims: Got pussy?
Garrett doesn’t say whether I look good, or ridiculous, but does arch his brow.
“I know. Doctor’s appointment at four. I’m not going to forget, but I’ve neglected the paper for weeks and you know it.” I grab my briefcase which is stashed in the credenza.
“Sit.” Garrett gestures to the sofa.
Oh God, I do not want to argue about this . My coat and car keys are already in hand as I’d hoped to race out and not get into a conversation about whether I should or shouldn’t go to the office. The clock is ticking, though I left myself plenty of time, knowing this might happen. Damn it . I sit. My pulse is racing when he joins me on the edge of the sofa and takes my hand. I hope he doesn’t notice my sweating palms.
“We need to talk about Thomas.”
He knows. My heart stops beating, fearing somehow that he has guessed I am lying to him. “You’ve heard from him?”
“No, and I’m not so certain we’re going to. His brother brought danger into our home by showing up here. He’s obviously in trouble, on the run. Thomas took him away as quickly as he could—against my medical advice—because he was more worried about our safety than his brother’s life. He was protecting us. He may have left the country for all we know.”
This is why he’s been moody all morning? I swallow, hard, my heart in my chest. He misses Thomas as much as I do. I should tell him about the text. Oh God. The lies, the lies, piling one on top of the other. I take a deep breath, considering carefully how I would respond if I didn’t know that Thomas was in fact okay and still in the city. “You’re thinking he might be gone for a long time. Months maybe?”
He takes my hand in his. Holding my gaze, he kisses my knuckles. “I’m trying to prepare you that he may never come back.”
“Did he say that to you?” I try to sound affronted. God, what am I doing? Garrett and Thomas have both on separate occasions accused me of being such a good actress they hardly know what to believe. It isn’t true. I just keep getting put in these situations…where the truth isn’t always the best thing to say.
“I haven’t heard from him.” His eyes ask if I have, even though he doesn’t ask, or maybe I am just feeling guilty.
I jerk my hand away and stand. I’m on the verge of hysterics, I can feel it. My chest weighs a hundred pounds, I can’t breathe. I want to scream, but I know if
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