Page 37 of Forsaken Devotion: Part 2
Lucian jerked his chin to the left, where a wall-to-wall wardrobe was embedded. I’d never gone through the furniture. It was simple and sleek. Upon sliding open the slim door, a waft of vanilla spilled out, warming my chest. I couldn’t have stopped my pleasured shiver if I tried.
As much as I tried to fight it, it was undeniable how decadent his scent was. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head.Snap out of it.
Rows of clothing were lined up on a pole, with another section right below it. The top rail hosted various suits and dress shirts neatly compacted. Shelves framed both sides, and on the left ones, there were folded pants, while the right had folded blankets.
I hesitated before grabbing one of them. That shirt looked smaller in comparison . . . I grabbed it. It was a woman’s blouse. The tag hung near the collar by a silk thread. Once I returned it to the rack, I searched the rest of the clothes along the pole. All the clothes at the bottom were new and in my size. Even jeans, shorts, and sweats.
“The drawers at the bottom have everything else you might need.” His voice echoed. Of course he’d been watching me.
I squatted and opened the drawer to find panties. Very simple, elegant panties with thin lace adorning the top. The rest of the drawers contained socks and bras. He was thorough. Inthe last drawer, I expected to see extravagant underthings, but it was a bunch of his neatly rolled black socks and boxer-briefs.
“I’m surprised you didn’t buy lingerie, considering how you feel about it,” I grumbled. Standing, I didn’t know how I should react or feel.
There was a moment of silence and then, “What are you talking about, Josephine?”
“Nothing.” My face had heated, so in an effort to give it time to cool, I collected some clothing to change into after my shower, and a soft, dark blue blanket. With one arm balancing everything?—
A large hand swept over mine and collected the items from my arm. I whipped my head toward Lucian.
“What are you doing up?” I chided, but he half hopped, half limped over to set the pile on the edge of the bed. When I closed the wardrobe, I shuffled over to wind my arm with his, so he didn’t fall and put weight on his injured foot. “You need to stop moving without your crutches.”
“You needed help.”
Ignoring his comment, I helped him into bed. He plopped down with a grunt and gingerly sat back, very obviously in pain. My chest ached, watching him hurt. Even with how he felt, he’d gotten up to ‘help.’ My heart clenched. I had to get away from him or the softer emotions might take over.
“Do you need anything else?” I blurted and straightened until my spine ached.
His forehead furrowed.
“You?”
I sighed and lifted an eyebrow, trying so, so hard not to melt. I hadn’t forgiven him. Iwouldn’tforgive him.
The corner of his lips twitched downward, but I stayed strong and raised an eyebrow pointedly.
“No,” he muttered, mulishly.
“Okay, I’m going to rest in one of the spare rooms.” His eyes widened with alarm. “Do you have a problem with that?”
The cogs were clearly turning behind his eyes.
“No,” he finally answered.
Good. I strode over to where I’d left the blanket before he’d tried to ‘help.’
“You can’t be too far away, what if I need you?” he finally asked. Since my back was to him, he didn’t see my eye roll. I was waiting for him to make his stance as to why I should stay in his room.
“I’ll keep our doors open so I can hear you call for me.” I turned, hugging the blanket to my chest.
“The room next to this one should be prepared for guests.” He did not look even a little happy.
“Thanks.” I rushed to the door. “Good night, and don’t be trying to walk around.”
I left the door the barest bit cracked.
The hall had four rooms. The first was his office. The next was his bedroom, and the following two were guestrooms. Had he brought women to stay here, too? After all, he had his lover living in one of his houses?—
I put the brakes on that line of thought. All I would do was hurt my own feelings.
