She removed her wrapper and climbed into the bed.“I’m covered, all the way to my chin.”
He extinguished the lamps, and the mattress moved as he lay on the opposite side.He hadn’t lifted the blankets.One extra layer of separation.She almost laughed.Pulling her arm out from under the covers, she slipped her hand into his.
“You’re a good man, Trent Gibson.”
* * *
You’re a good man, Trent Gibson.
Everyone seemed to think so, except him.He wasn’t a monster like the man in her sketchbook, but how did the mere fact that he hadn’t molested her make him a good man?Although, even he wanted things from her that he shouldn’t.She was beautiful, inside and out, and the lust it stirred was undeniable.Not that he’d know what to do with it, given his lack of experience.
But his attraction to her wasn’t the reason he was lying next to her now, while she slept.He’d heard her desperate pleas from the hallway on his way up to his own room.The fear on her face when he’d touched her, was unlike any he’d ever seen.Even now, the memory of it washed up a maelstrom of emotions.Everything from rage to heartbreak.It created a desperate need to fix it for her.To take away her pain and make her feel safe.
How was he ever going to do that?
When he woke, she was staring at him.She had turned on her side, her head propped up on her hand, a serene smile gracing her lips.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Her other hand was in his and he once again had the urge to raise it to his lips, but managed to stop himself.
“Did I sleep in again?”
“No.The sun is only now dawning.”
“Thank God.”
She laughed and the sound brightened his mood even more.
“I’d better get out of your bed before a maid comes in.”
She rolled her eyes.“It’s not as if I’ll be compromised.”
“Well, perhaps I will be.”
She laughed again.
“The last thing we need is gossip.”He squeezed her hand once more before getting up.
“Would you mind having breakfast with Maggie this morning?I’d like to get out to the stables to make sure Anthony is taken care of if he shows up.And before you lecture me, I promise to grab a bite to eat from the kitchens on my way out.”
“I did not lecture you.”She sounded appalled, but her smile remained.“I delight in spending time with your sister and am happy to.You needn’t worry about a thing.”
She was supposed to be here to heal, not to take care of him.But he didn’t doubt she enjoyed Maggie’s company.And Maggie wouldn’t miss him, as long as Samantha was there.
Anthony arrived just ahead of him.Terror made his eyes wide as he looked up at Brennan.He fidgeted his fingers and spoke quietly.“Mr.Gibson asked me to be here this morning.”
“That’s right,” Trent said, clapping him on the shoulder.He startled, but relief settled over him.Apparently, Trent was less intimidating than Brennan, and with good reason.“Anthony’s here to do some work that will help him remember his manners around women.”
Anthony lowered his gaze to the ground, but he nodded.
Gareth, the stable manager, smiled almost gleefully as he came around Brennan’s large form.“We have plenty of that for you, lad.”
Before the man led him away, Trent gave him a stern warning.“I don’t want to hear about any grief from you today.Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now that that’s done,” Trent said, turning to face Brennan, “tell me about the cabin.How’s it coming?”
