Page 64 of Charlie
“You can talk to me in front of Liv.”
Conor tensed. “What we do here at the manor isn’t anyone’s business. You agreed to respect the privacy and secrecy of this place when you moved in.”
“But she’s my girlfriend.”
“I understand, but unless I have invited her, she can’t stay here.”
With frustration on his face, Charles threw his hands up. “Then invite her already.”
“I would, but we don’t have an available room, and I don’t want her sleeping in your room.”
“But…”
“Charles, I’m not having this discussion here. We’ll continue it in the library.”
We left my suitcases in the entrance and walked to the library, where we sat down in an expensive-looking sofa, holding hands.
Conor sat in a reading chair with his right ankle casually placed on top of his left knee. “The reason that Liv can’t stay in your room is that if I allow you to have your girlfriend in your room, soon everyone else will expect the same privilege. I can’t slack on my rules, not even for you.”
I loved Charles a little more when he raised his chin and stood up. “In that case, we’re staying in a hotel. Come on, Liv.”
Having hoped for a chance to get insider information, I didn’t leap out of my seat, but looked to Conor, who was hard to read. Something told me he was surprised by Charles’ willingness to leave if need be. Conor’s eyes lingered on me for a second as if trying to read my mind and see how big of a threat I’d be.
I rose from my chair and took Charles’ hand.
“Not so fast.” Conor gave us a smile like a parent talking to teenagers. “I understand that Liv is visiting from the US and you want her close. My concern about you and her sharing a room is that you’re moving too fast. Only yesterday, I sensed doubt in you, Charles. I’m sure you’ve been honest with Liv and told her about your need for time alone to process the world around you. There is such a thing as drowning in your own success.”
Charles shifted his balance. “Yes, I’m familiar with the expression, but it relates to business, not to love.”
“Ah, but in this case, being overwhelmed with love and attention might push you back into feeling suffocated.”
Once again, Charles stood his ground. “I made a promise. If Liv can’t stay here, we’re going to a hotel.”
The door opened and River came in. When she opened her mouth to speak, Conor held up a hand, gesturing for her to wait. Pushing forward in his chair, he cleared his throat.
“I’m not an unreasonable man and if it means this much to you, I can agree to Liv’s sleeping on a couch but not in your room.”
There was no way I was sleeping in this house alone. What if Conor came at night and forced me to eat pills like he did with Nathan’s mom?
“Liv isn’t sleeping on a couch. That’s ridiculous.”
A soft voice sounded. “She’s welcome to sleep in Nathan’s and my room. We have an extra mattress for the floor.”
I jumped at the chance to get some intel from the children that could aid Kit’s investigation. “That’s fine with me,” I said a bit too fast.
“But…” Charles looked surprised. “We can go to a hotel, Liv.”
“No, it’s fine. I agree with Conor that a bit of alone time will be good for you, and I love kids.”
Charles lifted my hand to kiss the backside of it. The appreciation in his eyes made it clear that he hadn’t wanted to leave his friends here at the manor, but I was still pleased that he’d been ready to do it for me.
CHAPTER 16
Questions
Charles
River was over the moon that Liv would be sleeping in their room. It was silly to me, as I wanted Liv in my bed, but Conor had thirty-four people living in his house and I had to respect his rules even when they made no sense to me. When Liv kissed me good night and went with the children for their first sleepover, as she called it, Conor asked to talk to me in his study.
