Like she can read the direction of my thoughts, Audrey grins. “You really don’t have to worry about all that. It takes up a lot of mental space when you have to consider the carbs in each meal and timing insulin accordingly.” Before I can ask another question, Audrey elaborates. “I used to wear a port that I changed every three days. It has a little sensor inserted into my skin to take automatic readings of my blood sugar levels and sends the results to my phone. But that system isn’t really working on the island, so I just need to remember everything now and do some mental calculations each time.”
“That sounds difficult. How can I help?”
“You don’t—”
“Audrey. Let me. Please,” I implore her, tilting her chin up. “Even if it is only to alert you when I detect a change in your scent.”
Reaching up with one hand, Audrey strokes a finger across my brow until my frown disappears. “Keeping a couple of snacks in the castle could be convenient for low blood sugar,” she mumbles. Fully relenting at my nudge for her to continue, Audrey adds, “Or if the kitchen could be available, then I can make a couple of simple meals for myself.”
I tuck Audrey’s hair behind her ear and reward her admission with a tender kiss. “Okay. Tomorrow, first thing, I’ll give the kitchen a thorough clean and check that everything is in working order. Unfortunately it’s very… rustic, consisting of only a big hearth, a table, and a few pots and pans. Mostly for decoration,” I add shyly.
I’ve never needed the use of a kitchen here, but building my castle without one wasn’t a conceivable notion. Too many happy memories stem from Castle Stewart’s kitchen—hours visiting with the cooks, late nights filled with raiding the spence, and during feasts, hiding from suitable young lasses whose parents are ready to marry them off.
“I’ll clean,” Audrey offers. “I kind of like being in the kitchen. Not all the time, but I like cooking for others. Nothing fancy though, just simple, hearty meals.”
Smiling at the new spark in her eye, I say, “I’d like to taste your cooking.”
“Uhm…”
“If you can remember, there are different types of things I like to eat,” I say, skimming my hand down her waist until I’m cupping her cunt. “I don’t need food to sustain my body, but I enjoy tasting various things. I’m partial to a good ale. And your sweet cunt.”
“Who am I to deny you then?” Audrey replies, grinding up into my hand.
I rest my palm on Audrey’s mound as a little reminder of what we’d agreed to, of what’s to come. I don’t apply any pressure, wanting her to think about who she chose to submit to for her pleasure.
Bringing the conversation back to a safer topic, I say, “Let’s go to The Winged Apple later and stock up on all your favorite ingredients. It would be nice to see the kitchen in action. You can use the icebox too if your medicine needs to be kept cold.”And if you don’t mind looking at the blood bags I have stored there too,I silently add.
“Thank you, Arran, but all that is really not necessary.”
“I know. But I really want to.”
“That means a lot to me.”
“Youmean a lot to me.”
Audrey’s eyes widen, my simple confession perhaps a step too far. I won’t take it back though. IwantAudrey to know that whatever this is between us is something special, and I’ll treasure her for as long as she’ll allow me to.
Not wanting to scare her off too quickly, I reach for a neutral topic. “Tell me about your family. What kinds of things did you do growing up?”
With a single arched brow, Audrey sees my diversion for what it is, but answers anyway.
We compare our youthful activities—Audrey’s much different from mine since I became laird at twenty-one. Her youth was filled with camping, beach holidays with her family, tennis, dance lessons, and debate club, where I had to train in horsemanship and swordsmanship, as well as study languages, law, and philosophy.
Audrey tells me more stories about her parents, her international vacations, and how much she enjoys staying busy, especially with her mind.
She asks me about my favorite memories of Starry Hill, the types of feasts we had at Clan Stewart, and more about the outdoor activities I used to do.
We talk and talk all night.
When the moon disappears behind us and the first signs of dawn start to appear, I nestle Audrey more snugly in my embrace.
Flipping open the button of her pants, I push my hand down until I find her drenched core. “It’s time for another appetizer. You’re going to come on my fingers while we watch the sunrise. Does that sound good to you, darling?”
“Yes,” Audrey agrees quickly, widening her legs for me as I slip my finger inside her.
“That’s a good lass,” I praise, slowly pumping my finger in and out of her tight cunt. There’s no rush, wanting to build her climax slowly while we enjoy the sight of the sun making its way into the sky.
As the sky transitions from black to blue, the stars blinking out above us as the first hints of oranges, golds, and fiery reds tingethe horizon, I press my thumb to Audrey’s slick clit, rubbing it just the way she likes.
