Page 49 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
She rolls her eyes with a little chuckle. “I’m going to be in trouble if I say any more, but please enjoy yourselves. I’m Kerriann, and I’m here, shit…well, I’m here a lot.”
“Thank you, Kerriann,” Manorin says easily. “See you at the barn dance?”
She grimaces. “I’m working, so no. But, honestly, a crowd of people being loud ain’t really my rodeo, ya know?”
He laughs, and I grab the basket off the countertop, loving the idea of it. I don’t do anything like that at the Annabelle, other than provide a haven welcome packet to those who are fully new to town.
“Do you have a welcome packet by chance?”
She sighs. “I’m fresh out, and I was told not to order more because they’re being redone. So, we should wait for the new ones, I guess, but honestly, what a pain. So, I’m sorry to say I don’t have any just now.” She waves at Manorin. “Good thinghe’s an excellent tour guide, though. And definitely call down here with any questions!” She hands me a sheet of paper. “Here’s a temporary map although I’m told the new welcome books will be much cooler. Sorry I can’t offer more at the moment.”
The inn creaks loudly around us and she laughs.
“I know, Welcome! You’re just gonna have to share the name with the book…I can’t do nothin’ about it and if you have an issue you can take it up with Rygold.”
The inn produces an unhappy sounding series of squeaks and squeals and I have to hold back a laugh. Her personality is as tangible as my Annabelle’s, and it feels like home even though this building isn’tmine.
I thank the attendant again, tucking my arm through the basket’s handle. We ascend a set of wide, overlarge stairs meant for the bigger-bodied monster breeds. When I seem to note it, Manorin chuckles.
“Lotsa big boys out this way. We need a little more space sometimes.” He points at his hooves.
I frown up at him. “Is it difficult for you at the Annabelle?”
He shakes his head. “Not difficult, per se, but I do pay a bit more attention.”
When the Annabelle appeared for me in Ever, I didn’t question her design. She felt perfect for me. But when I think about Manorin having to be extra careful to make it up my stairs, I don’t feel comfortable with that, and Annabelle probably doesn’t either.
“If we expand the Annabelle, we’re changing that.” I stare up at him, resolved to make Manorin and any other guests more comfortable where possible.
By the time we make it to our room, I’m in awe of the Welcome Inn. It’s charming yet beautiful, with elegant little touches that speak to the brilliance of her design.
Manorin opens the door and strides in, setting my bag down on an entryway table. I stare in awe at the beautiful room, allpowder blue and dark red. A large bed is covered in buffalo-check pillows, sheets and blankets piled sumptuously high. The back wall is all windows with a beautiful view of empty rolling fields behind the inn.
“These details are exquisite, Manorin,” I whisper, spinning slowly to take it all in.
Which is when I focus on the singular bed.
Of course that’s what it is. I knew that. And part of me relishes that fact, even as the part of me in charge of feelings worries over it. But he was right… I should lean into his desire to romance me during our arrangement. I should have a little faith that things will be fine.
Except, I thought that before, and all it ever brought me was a heap of trouble.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MANORIN
My intention was to get Cath settled in the room, fed downstairs, then maybe some alone time in the room before the barn dance.
But my sassy, beautiful woman demands the reverse schedule.
Sexy room time. Everything else later.
By the time I manage to sate her—albeit temporarily—it’s time to head to the barn dance.
Catherine emerges from the bathroom in a pair of thigh-hugging jeans, a black lace spaghetti-strapped shirt and high-heeled cowboy boots.
I’m across the room without thinking, taking her hand in mine. I lift her arm and spin her around, revealing the low-cut back of the shirt that exposes the sexy dimples above her belt.
“Gods, woman,” I manage, choking around a sudden surge in feelings. “You’re stunning, Sunshine. I’m gonna be beating other males off with a stick. Good thing I’m big.”
