Page 17 of In The Shadows

“Not a problem at all. It’s an honor to protect such a beautiful maiden.” Theo doesn’t take his eyes off me; they seem to spark.

The pit of my stomach twists and I’m blushing again. Only this man can make me blush so much.

“It’s getting late. We should finish up and get out of here,” Harvey says softly above us.

I nod and drop my hands from Theo’s face. He stands and offers his hand to me. I place my hand in his large, calloused one, causing tingles to shoot across my skin where we touch. The thread around my heart vibrates and goosebumps erupt on my arms. Theo stares at our hands and tilts his head to the side in question.

He feels it too.

Theo helps me to my feet, and I brush off dirt from my clothes.

“I’m walking you home tonight,” he says with finality.

“That is very kind of you, but it is already late, and I still have a lot to do before leaving. Plus, you have done more than enough tonight,” I reply, tilting my head up at him.

He is much taller than me now.

His eyes trace the line of my neck and his lips part.

“That wasn’t a question,” he says before turning to Harvey.

“What needs to be done?” Theo asks.

Harvey looks up from scrubbing the blood off the wall. His eyes flick from Theo to me, unsure of what to say.

“The chairs need to be picked up and placed on the table for sweeping,” Harvey replies hesitantly.

Theo sets off to do as directed. I let out an exasperated breath and follow him. Harvey chuckles softly as I walk by.

I dash in front of Theo and place my hands up for him to halt. He steps right into them, pressing his hard chest into my palms. I slowly drop my hands as a smirk curls one side of his lips.

“This is all truly kind of you, Theo, but shouldn’t you be getting back to the castle? Won’t your fiancée be missing you?” I ask, hoping he will confirm Amelia’s opinion from our earlier conversation.

He locks on my lips for a breath too long before he steps closer to me.

“You shouldn’t believe every rumor you hear in this village.”

His gaze rakes over me, stopping on my apron. He reaches out and trails his palm along my waist. I suck in a breath at the deliberate touch.

Theo’s hand doesn’t move as he steps beside me, pressing his chest into my shoulder.

“I don’t have a girlfriend, but I do have my eyes on a gorgeous maiden.”

His palm slides across my hip as he passes me to return to picking up chairs. I gasp as I try to calm my racing heart and keep from collapsing on the floor.

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