‘You’re good with him,’ Henry said, his hand grazing mine as I brushed.
‘Animals are easy,’ I murmured. ‘I’m used to trying to corral humans.’
‘Good point.’
‘I don’t actually know much about you, I don’t even know how old you are.’ It’s probably something I should have asked before having him pin me to a table and forget my name.
‘Twenty-five.’
I blinked.
‘Oh God. I’m nearly thirty.’
‘And?’ he said, his eyebrows lifted in amusement.
‘Am I a cougar? Guys don’t usually like older women.’
‘Amanda, I lost myself the moment you walked into the manor, looking ready to claw someone’s eyes out.’
I winced. ‘I was stressed!’
‘Iloveyour fire, but I love it even more because it makes the moments you let me lead all the more delicious.’
I inhaled sharply, focusing on the brush as warmth diffused through me. ’So you don’t expect me to be all docile and sweet out of bed?’
He raised an eyebrow.
‘I don’t believe we’ve made it to a bedyet.’
My face burned.
He tilted my chin up with one finger.
‘No,’ he said. ‘I don’t expect docile. Or sweet. Or tame.’
His voice dropped all growly again, and I clenched my thighs with the memory of the previous night's activities.
‘Where’s the fun in taming you if you aren’t feisty?’
‘You’re ridiculous,’ I said with a roll of my eyes.
‘And youlikeit.’
I didn’t answer because I couldn’t deny it. Despite my initial annoyance at his over-the-top cheeriness, being wrapped in it was like being wrapped in a squishy duvet.
When we finished, Henry dusted his hands off and gave Merv a pat before turning to me again.
‘So what’s on the cards for the day?’
‘Appeasing the clients, making sure everything is set for both Christmas Eve and the big day. Just the usual.’
We stepped out of the stable into a drifting snowfall, the flakes fat and light, dancing down around us.
‘I guess the wealthy really can get everything they ask for,’ I said, knowing that they’d be thrilled with the change in weather.
Henry’s fingers found mine, their roughness reassuring as he slid them into my hand.
‘And sometimes, even the gardener does,’ he murmured under his breath.
