He managed to walk them backward to the couch before his legs gave out, dropping them in a heap onto the leather upholstery. “That does it,” he muttered, resting his head against the cushion behind him as he caught his breath. “We’re going to have to christen every room—and maybe every wall—in the house.”
Megan gave a throaty laugh, rolling over to sit beside him. She tugged at her dress, sliding it back into place. “I’d be happy to help you out with that.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her in against him. As much as he wanted to sit there with her forever, he needed to get rid of the condom. He removed it, tucked himself back inside his jeans, and stood. “Don’t go anywhere,” he called as he walked into the bathroom.
“Actually, this is probably a good time to go get the dogs. If I stay here any longer, we’re going to get too comfortable—and naked—for me to want to go back out.”
“True enough. Want a hand?”
“Yeah, actually. Sure.”
So, they cleaned up together in the bathroom and walked up the drive to the castle. He followed her upstairs to her bedroom, taking it in with open curiosity as she gathered the dogs from their crates. He’d been in the public spaces of the castle several times now but had never been into any of the guest rooms, let alone Megan’s bedroom. It was as girly as he would have expected, with a bedspread in shades of purple and white lacey curtains.
A Jake Tappen novel lay in the middle of the bed.
* * *
Megan turnedto find Jake holding the book in his right hand, brow raised expectantly.
“A little light reading?” he asked.
She shrugged, not even trying to hide her smile. “I told you I was going to read your books.”
“I thought you were just humoring me.”
“Nope. I was totally serious, and I’m really enjoying it too.” She slid the book from his hand, setting it on her nightstand. “In fact, I think I’m going to buy a copy so you can sign it for me.”
“Where did you get that one?” He sat on the edge of her bed, greeting Chandler, who had bounded over and shoved his head in Jake’s lap.
“From the library downstairs.”
“I’ve read several books from Theo’s library myself these last few weeks,” Jake admitted.
“Oh yeah? What kind of books do you like to read?” she asked as she threw a change of clothes and toiletries into an overnight bag, along with a few treats and things for the dogs.
“Mysteries mostly, crime thrillers. I like it when an author totally blows my mind with a plot twist at the end of the book.”
“I should have guessed, based on what you write.” She picked up her bag and leashed the dogs. “So, are you going to blow my mind with a plot twist at the end?”
“You’ll have to let me know.” He took Barnaby’s leash from her, and they walked downstairs together.
Theo passed them in the hallway, headed toward the kitchen. “Hi, Megan,” he said absently before his eyebrows raised in an almost comical expression as he took in the entirety of the scene in front of him. “Jake.”
“Hi, Theo,” Jake answered, his expression betraying nothing.
“Have a good evening, you two,” Theo called over his shoulder with a grin as he walked away.
Megan laughed under her breath as they made their way out the front door. Between the overnight bag and the dogs, it couldn’t have been any more obvious that she was on her way to spend the night at the farmhouse. “Well, if Elle hadn’t already told him, he knows now.”
“I don’t think Elle had told him, judging by the look on his face.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she told him. “There aren’t any rules saying we can’t do what we’re doing, and after he hooked up with Elle last year while she was working here at the castle, he’s the last person to judge.”
“He would never judge,” Jake said, a frown tugging at his lips. “But it’s still not exactly the impression I wanted to make as his new tenant.”
“Hey.” She rested her free hand on his arm. “It’s okay, really. Theo doesn’t care. He likes us both. He’s probably just happy to see you dating again.”
“You’re right.” Jake shook his head slightly as if to clear it. “This is all so new to me. I haven’t dated since high school. Everything feels awkward.”
