Page 11 of The Duke's Christmas Scandal
A man that careless with his wife doesn’t deserve her.
“You’ve endured enough punishment for one day, Tavi.”
Ian splashed more whisky into the glass. The last drink had been more water than spirits. This one was not. He savored the way it burned all the way down, dampening his lust.
Momentarily.
“Besides, we discussed this. I’m not taking the bed,” he added.
With her fists on her hips, the woman glared at him. Ian crossed his arms over his chest. The quelling effect of the alcohol wore off the instant her gaze flicked admiringly down his torso. Then upward again. She mimicked his stance.
“Well, I’m not taking it, either.”
With a swirl of auburn hair and white nightgown, she plopped herself down in his makeshift bedroll. She even went so far as to pull the scratchy blanket over her shoulders and turn to face the fire. Stubborn woman.
“Get up, Tavi.”
“No.”
He blew out a sigh.
She’d attacked first. He was only retaliating.
Ian scooped her into his arms. Tavi, startled, yelped and latched onto his neck like she was afraid he’d drop her from a great height.
She felt too good pressed against his chest to do that.
“You’re not playing fair, Harkness.”
“You’re not abiding by our agreement, Mrs. Dawson.”
She rolled her eyes. “You cheated.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to retort,you lied. Instead, he dropped her onto the soft bed. Tavi squeaked. Her hair fanned out. Raking it away from her face, she knee-walked to him, fisted his shirt, and dragged him down. Ian fell with a grunt.
“See? We both fit. Now go to sleep.”
She threw the blanket over his half-prone form. Ian’s legs stuck out of the down coverlet.
Sleep. Yes, that was a totally reasonable order.
He tucked his legs under the covers. If he kept his trousers on, he should be able to conceal his raging erection beneath layers upon layers of fabric.It’s warmer in the bed, his stupid heart insisted. Only his brain thought this was setting himself up for disaster, and it was addled with the excellent whisky he’d bought himself to celebrate his newfound status.
Which she didn’t know about.
Tavi liked him enough to share a bed with him. He liked her enough to share everything but the truth of who he was.
“What would your husband say, Mrs. Dawson?” he drawled, yawning.
Beside him, Tavi stiffened.
Oh, shit. Was she married, after all?
* * *
Octavia
This wasthe time to admit she’d lied. But even though Tavi had recklessly decided to share the tiny bed with him, she wasn’t sure how he would react to sleeping beside her. She wouldn’t mind kissing him, but beyond that?
