by K.N. Lee
Cailyn took another sip, shrugging. “It's fine. I miss my own.”
“No, you don’t. You know you’re glad to be out of that place. Admit it.”
Cailyn frowned. “What do you mean? Alexander Hall is my home.”
“No,” Connor said. “Haven Manor is your home now.”
Pursing her lips, Cailyn nodded. “Not much I can do about that, is there?”
“Of course, there is,” he said, rubbing his tattooed knuckles across his chin. “You can get used to it.”
“How long do I have to stay?”
Connor’s face went serious. In his eyes, she saw how much he adored her. It was scary. Asher looked at her the same way.
“Are you still thinking of breaking the truce?”
Swallowing hard, she couldn’t break free from his gaze. She hated how he did that, but his statement caught her off guard.
Face flushing, Cailyn looked away. She could barely breathe when he looked at her like that. Her heart stopped when she looked up. Before her stood Asher’s parents.
Dressed in their best, they looked at her with confusion on their faces.
“Cailyn,” Asher’s mother said. Her blue eyes looked from Connor to Cailyn, and back.
“Mrs. Fox,” Cailyn said in a flabbergasted whisper.
“What is going on here?”
She avoided Elliot’s eyes. She knew her cheeks were red as an apple. No words would come to explain what was happening.
Connor stood. He reached a hand out to Elliot.
“Connor Prince,” he said. “You must be the famous Fox’s I’ve heard so much about.”
Elliot nodded, his icy glare fixed on Cailyn.
She wished she could just be struck dead at that moment.
“That’s us,” Elliot said.
“Cailyn here is quite the writer, isn’t she?”
Cailyn shot him a look.
Elliot’s face softened, only slightly as he nodded to Connor. “She is. What’s going on?”
Connor motioned to Cailyn. “I’ve just commissioned this young prodigy with writing my memoirs. We are discussing the project. Would you like to join us?”
Elliot’s eyebrows lifted as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“Oh no,” he said. “Not at all.” He winked at Cailyn. “We all knew she’d be a famous writer one day.”
Cailyn forced a smile, relieved that both of Asher’s parents had stopped shooting bullets into her body with their eyes.
“You two enjoy your dinner,” Asher’s mother said. She pulled her pink cardigan closer and smiled at Cailyn. “You look nice tonight, sweetie. It was good to see you again before you and Asher leave town.”
She nodded, speechless. She watched as the Fox’s left their table and followed the host to a table of their own.
Once they were out of eyesight, Cailyn downed her entire glass of wine.
Cailyn turned to Connor.
“Can we leave? Please,” she pleaded.
Connor’s face was unreadable. Why did he lie for her?
He nodded, reaching a hand for her.
Without a word, he put a hundred dollar bill on their table and they left the restaurant.
Outside, they waited for Connor’s car to pull around.
Silence filled the air, but Cailyn still shook with fear. The look on the Fox’s faces would haunt her. She couldn’t bear to think of them hating her.
“Why did you do that?”
Connor saw her there, shivering, and put his suit jacket over her shoulders.
“I told you, Cailyn. I’m not a monster,” he said. “I know you were with Asher Fox. He obviously didn’t tell them what’s transpired between the two of you. This was not the way they should find out.”
Cailyn closed her eyes against tears.
“Thank you,” she said.
Why was she thanking him? He was the reason for all of this.
When she opened her eyes, she was ready to give him a piece of her mind. Instead, her breath caught in her throat as he pulled her close to his body by her waist.
Her lips parted as he looked down at her.
“I did that because you looked absolutely mortified,” he said, his voice lowering as his face was inches from hers.
She closed her mouth, her eyes going to his full lips.
“And I’d do anything in my power to protect what is mine.”
“So,” Cailyn said, licking her lips. “You’re saying that I’m yours.”
Connor pulled her body tight to his, leaving no room between them or any room for doubt about what he wanted.
He kissed her lips, hard, yet with such passion that her eyes fluttered closed, her heart melted, and her core heated at his touch.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” he said before letting her go.
Breathless, and a bit woozy, Cailyn stood there unsteady on her feet. The memory of his intense kiss wouldn’t fade no matter how hard she tried to push it aside.
He reached for her hand as the car pulled out front.
“Let’s go home,” he said. It wasn’t a request.
Cailyn nodded. What am I doing?
“Okay.”
Chapter 19
Thunder cracked and echoed throughout the halls of the mansion.
Cailyn woke and sat up in her new wooden canopy bed. Another loud boom resounded across the sky and lightning followed, crashing into the forest outside her window.
She grabbed her pink kimono robe and crossed her room to look out the bay window.
It was the third day that rain fell in torrents like this. It was as if her moving into Connor’s home angered the gods. Such a storm was sure to flood the town if it didn’t let up soon.
She glanced at her clock as it ticked on her wall next to her wardrobe. It was three a.m. and she knew she would not be able to fall back asleep.
Might as well study, she thought.
She grabbed her satchel for school and slid her feet into her slippers to head for the study. Outside her room, the halls were dark and silent. She held her breath as she looked from side to side noting how the paneled walls all resembled trap doors. She listened for any sounds of life.
Nothing.
The silence was unnerving, but at least, she was assured that she wouldn’t run into Connor in the halls at that hour.
There was a time when she was a young girl that she was afraid to venture into those halls alone, but she and Asher would make it a game to sneak away from their class and explore the many rooms.
Cailyn used her phone’s flashlight to navigate the darkness and descended the staircase to the main floor. Crossing the foyer she opened the door that led to the study and walked down another staircase.
Dim light made her pause. “Who is there?” Only he would be up this late doing research.
“Come on in, Cailyn,” she heard Connor reply.
She wished she’d stayed in the safety of her room.
But, was anywhere in that mansion safe?
She took a deep breath and walked to the landing. Once she turned the corner, she saw Connor sitting in one of the chairs with a book in hand. Fire crackled in the fireplace, making the room nice and toasty.
“Couldn’t sleep, my dear?” Connor closed his book on his hand and turned his gaze to her.
She wished he wouldn’t call her that.
Cailyn closed her kimono over her lavender bra and boy-short set. If she’d have known that Connor would be down here, she would have at least put on some clothes and brushed her hair. But it was his house. She should have known better.
After their kiss, Cailyn decided that perhaps it was time that she tried a new approach. Maybe Connor would drop his guard if she feigned an attraction to him.
Who was she kidding? There was no feigning anything. Her body didn’t lie. And it wanted him, even if her heart and mind screamed at her for even considering it.
Three days had passed since she moved in, and being petulant wasn’t helping her at a
ll. Her ‘privileges’ were scarce, and all she wanted was to communicate with her family.
Cailyn stood before Connor with tangled waves and her white lock fully exposed.
He noticed. “Look at you,” he said, his eyes looking her up and down. “You still have that white lock of hair.”
She pulled it back and found a seat near the fireplace on a few cushions that one of the Aldrich ancestors had brought back from India.
“I can’t seem to get rid of it.”
“Why should you? It’s beautiful.”
She forced a smiled. “Thank you,” She noted a coffee mug next to him on a side table. “Coffee? At this hour?”
He picked up the mug and took a drink. “Yeah. It’s quite good. Would you like some?”
“I would, actually.”
He set it back down and stood. “I’ll go get you a mug. Do you take milk and sugar?”
“I do. Thank you.”
Connor gave her a nod and retreated upstairs to the kitchen.
She stood, and shivered. She pulled her kimono even closer to her skin. She took a step backward as a chill entered the room.
She rubbed her arms and looked around.
When Connor returned, he handed her a coffee cup on a saucer with a small silver spoon.
“Thank you.” She accepted it, enjoying the warmth of the cup.
Connor stood there as if waiting for her to try it. He smiled that kind smile he sometimes gave her, the one that made her wonder if he really was just a guy desperate to win her affection. He nodded for her to give it a try.
Cailyn took a cautious sip. Surprise filled her eyes. The flavor was incredible.
“Wow.” She took another sip. “You made this?”
He nodded and picked up his cup. Instead of sitting back in his seat he sat next to her. “I have a secret stash from back home. It’s good, right?”
“It’s great actually.” She drank some more and watched the flames in the fireplace. There was no way she could focus on studying with him sitting next to her.
Another loud thunder crack seemed to shake the house with its intensity. She didn’t know how anyone could sleep through that storm. She imagined Asher sitting up in bed, looking out his window, thinking about her.
Perhaps he slept peacefully, having already forgotten her. That image stung. Was it wrong for her to wish that he was still so broken that he couldn’t sleep at all...just like her? That scenario gave her hope that she could win him back.
Cailyn could only wish that he still even thought about her.
“Does it storm like this often in Haven Cove?”
“At least once a year.”
“I love storms.”
She looked at him. “Me too.”
“Haven Cove is nice,” he said, his voice trailing. He shrugged. “I can see the appeal, but Scotland is beautiful.”
“It sounds lovely.”
“I will bring you to my home there, once you’re ready.”
Cailyn didn’t reply. She wanted to see the world, but with Asher.
As if he’d read her mind, Connor scooted close to her. He put a hand on hers, making her switch her thoughts to something different.
His hand was gentle and warm.
Strong.
Electric.
She fought the heat that filled her whenever he was so close. Every touch, despite how she abhorred him, made her feel weak. She shouldn’t feel that way. It was a betrayal to Asher.
Cailyn had to hate him.
He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.
Connor made it so hard sometimes.
“Listen, Cailyn,” he said, looking down at her hand in his. “I know this arrangement isn’t what you had in mind for your life, but in time, you will find happiness with me. We can have a good life together; one where you don’t have to worry about anything. I will love and protect you always.”
Love?
The word frightened her when it fell from Connor’s lips.
Her heart could never be anyone’s but Asher’s.
Cailyn turned to the flames, taking her hand back and tucking it under her leg. She watched them flicker and rise against the logs of the fireplace.
“Was that some sort of lazy proposal?”
She bit her lip, fighting tears. She never imagined she’d end up in an arranged marriage like the women from the classic novels she read.
“It was,” he said.
Oh God.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. There wasn’t a box. The ring didn’t need it. It was huge. The diamonds captured the light from the fire, shining brightly as she gawked at it.
It was stunning.
Cailyn tensed.
“Listen, love, you can accept this ring when you are ready.”
“Thank you,” she said, relieved to be let off the hook.
“I want to make you happy. I don’t want to disrupt your world, however, so you’ll continue with school. I believe an education is important. But, I really don’t want you working at the bookstore anymore. It doesn’t look good for my girl to work in such a shabby little place. You don’t have to work.”
“I can’t work?”
He’d already assumed that she’d accepted his proposal.
Connor gave her hand a squeeze, his eyes hard. “No. You will not work. You will go to school, and come home.”
“I don’t understand why it matters.”
The look on his face made her regret speaking at all. His grip on her hand tightened slightly.
“Any more questions?”
The tone is his voice made her shiver. She shook her head. “No,” she said, her voice wavering. “I was just curious.”
“Good.” Connor smiled. “Curiosity is okay.” He patted her hand. “But in moderation.”
Cailyn nodded, appalled by his change in tone. “Yes. Okay.”
“Good,” he said. “Now, where were we? Oh, right. I will take you to Scotland over winter break. How does that sound?”
Cailyn raised her brows. He really did mean to make a life with her.
“You’ll take me to Scotland?”
“That’s right.”
If I’m good? God, help me.
She forced another smile. “That would be great.”
Connor’s eyes narrowed. “Something’s holding you back. What is it?”
She looked up at the ceiling, forcing Asher’s name from her mind. She didn’t want Connor going after him.
“Mother would never let me go.”
His grin faded a little. “I don’t think you understand, Cailyn. What your mother wants is no longer a concern.”
Cailyn focused on keeping her mind free of any thoughts of escape or retaliation lest he read her thoughts. Doing so was one of the hardest things she’d ever done. Such concentration took discipline that she’d never had to master.
He grinned. “Why are you trying to keep me out, Cailyn? Don’t you know I can read you like a book? But still, something is missing.”
Her cheeks reddened. He knew exactly what she was doing.
“What are you hiding?”
Chewing her lip, she shook her head, her brows furrowed.
Connor smoothed the back of her hands with his thumbs and nodded. “It’s fine, Cailyn. Relax.”
Unsure of what to do, she remained silent, captivated by his eyes as they searched hers.
When he let her hands go, he surprised her by cupping her face in his hands and stroking her cheek.
“Tell me why I my heart seems to stop whenever you’re around.”
Cailyn’s brows un-furrowed. For a moment, she let her guard down. For some reason, his words struck her deep in her soul.
When he leaned in to kiss her, she didn’t tense or move away. Her body wouldn’t let her. It wanted his kiss.
She closed her eyes and submitted to the taste of his mouth as he explored hers. A gasp escaped her lips as he lifted her from the floor and set her on his lap. Still, she kept her
eyes closed as his mouth left hers and kissed her neck.
The crackling of the fire and the heat it emitted warmed her as he pulled her kimono open. She bit her bottom lip and tossed her head back as his mouth traveled down to her cleavage exposed by her bra. With expert handling, he unhooked her bra and pulled it over her head.
Exposed, Cailyn finally opened her eyes. Heat rose from her legs to her core and looking into Connor’s eyes left her desperate for action. For more.
Why did his hands have to be so soft, warm, and strong? He ran his hands up from her waist to her back with tenderness.
“Dear God,” he said as he eyed her breasts. “You are truly a vision.”
Her cheeks reddened as he covered one of her nipples with his thumb and stroked it until pert and erect. She inhaled, afraid to go further, but desperate for release.
Asher. His face flooded her mind, sending her blood cold.
“I can’t,” Cailyn blurted and put a hand between her and Connor, pressing him back and she stood.
She gathered her bra and kimono. Flustered, she looked down at him, hoping her sudden action didn’t anger him.
Connor’s face was unreadable.
That frightened her.
“I’m sorry,” she stuttered. “I’m going back to bed.”
Before he could reply, she hurried away. First, she rushed. Her walk turned into a run for her room, as she imagined that he was chased her.
She didn’t even look back until she was in her room and had the door shut.
Shaking, Cailyn stood at the door. She listened for any noises outside the door in the hallway. She covered her mouth with both hands when she heard footsteps stop just outside.
Stepping backward, she didn’t stop until her legs touched the edge of her new bed. She sat down with nowhere else to go.
“Go away,” she whispered, knowing he couldn’t hear her.
Cailyn covered her heart and tried to calm herself. Her pulse was too fast. Her breaths were quickened as well.
She couldn’t live like this.
Chapter 20
Cailyn’s white gown seemed to glow in the sunlight. A smile was plastered to her face, and yet her soul was screaming, begging to be heard. Every step took all of her strength. Beneath her bouquet of purple flowers her hands shook.
Everyone stared at her. Could they see the pain in her eyes or how broken her heart was? She doubted it. All they saw was a beautiful girl about to marry a handsome man with a lot of money, property, and a charming smile. They knew nothing about the truth.
