"What are you doing?"
"Showing my appreciation." She murmured against his lips. "Come snuggle with me."
"All right." He toed off his shoes and slipped under the covers. "No funny business."
"You mean like this?" He jumped when her hand closed over his crotch.
"Christ, baby." He groaned. Removing her hand, he kept it in his and hauled her against him.
They took a long walk around the property. The O'Sullivan manor had been in the family for several generations and had gone through a series of renovations over the years.
Rolling hills, grass well-manicured, the gentle trickle of the stream just over the incline. An actual well that had fascinated Kiara on her first visit and a paddock where horses had once raced freely. That was no longer the case.
The paddock was empty and the large barn only housed two horses. The tennis court was well maintained as well as the pool. Acres of land stretched into the woods, merging with the harbor.
He had a schooner moored and tied securely to the deck; one he had not used in weeks. He should remedy that. He was going to pencil that in.
Take her sailing as soon as she was feeling better. He loved to feel the wind on his face and the scent of sea water. And she was an excellent sailor.
"You're quiet." He murmured as they made the bed and came around to the gazebo with its white lattice work. Flowers bloomed in abundance, scenting the air with its fragrance.
He could almost believe that nothing bad was happening in the world. That it was just the two of them existing in a perfect world.
"Just thinking." Her hand was held securely in his, the warmth seeping into her skin. The first time he took her hand and held it, she had jolted, causing him to stare at her curiously. Now she had gotten accustomed to it.
"About?"
Placing her free hand on the slight bulge, she rubbed slowly.
"That this is a very good place to bring up our children."
"It is, yes." He was pleased she was thinking of the future and wondered if now was the perfect time to say the 'm' word again. He was about to, when she continued.
"I love what we have. We understand each other and we get along. There's no need to clutter things up with a marriage license."
He felt his heart sinking like stone, the words dying on his lips. He had promised himself to wait, to give her time to realize that they belonged together and marriage was the ultimate commitment.
For a moment, he let silence settle between them, the weight of unsaid words pressing gently on his chest. He watched the way sunlight caught in her hair, the intricate coils and twists, and felt a bittersweet ache at the thought of everything they had built together, and everything that might never be.
Still, he squeezed her hand, anchoring himself in the present, determined to cherish this peace for as long as it lasted.
Her heart sank when he let go of her hand and went to stand just inside the gazebo. "It's going to rain." Lifting his head, he scanned the clouds gathering. "We should get back."
"Oscar, I need more time." She was desperate to get back the sense of peace and serenity that had existed between them just now.
With a nod, he took her arm, the intimacy fading. His heart was heavy and anything he said would be the wrong thing. Better to keep quiet.
"Please say something."
"Not now." He guided her over the uneven slope.
She opened her mouth, but one look at the grim expression on his face had her closing it. They made the rest of the journey in a miserable silence thick with tension. As soon as they stepped inside, he went to his office.
"I have some work to finish up. I'll ring for tea."
"I thought we would have lunch together on the terrace."
"I'm not hungry." He offered a strained smile. "I'll grab something when I get to the pub."
