Page 124 of Hand-Fasting and Other Hazards
Lochlan was cautious, thoughtful. He always took his time. And if she pushed too hard now, she might only make him retreat further. But this was about more than that. The real question Nia needed to answer was this?—
Did she trust Lochlan?
The scalding water cascaded over her, painful and clarifying. She wanted to trust him. And he’d earned that, hadn’t he? Not just her affection or desire, but her trust. He’d stood by her, taken care of her, been devoted to her, despite her father’s manipulations and her own doubts.
However tense or uncertain she might feel, as far as she knew, Lochlan hadn’t done anything to break that trust.
So, she’d wait.
For now.
CHAPTER 41
Lochlan
“MARRIAGE MISHAPS ON THE RISE—WILL THE VIDET STEP IN?” —A LEGAL THREAD
Lochlan sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees and hands clasped tightly as he stared at the floor. The faint sound of water running in the bathroom filled the otherwise quiet house.
Dinner had been torture, and he knew why. Nia was too smart not to notice something was off. He hated keeping things from her, hated the way her guarded looks cut through him.
He just needed time.
Before coming upstairs, he’d quickly fed Jade, who had stared at him with those big, judgmental eyes. It felt like everyone—even the dog—knew he was hiding something.
Now, he was here, waiting.
The water shut off and a few moments later the bathroom door opened. Nia stepped out, wrapped in a towel, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders. She stopped when she saw him, her brow furrowing slightly as their eyes met.
Lochlan swallowed hard, the words coming before he could stop them. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Nia tilted her head slightly.
Lochlan looked up at her, his throat tightening. “For not coming today.”
And for so much more.
“I have a feeling it was important,” he added.
Her expression softened as she stepped closer. He stayed seated on the edge of the bed, his hands still clasped in front of him, as she reached out and ran her fingers gently over his face.
“I didn’t tell you how important it was,” she said quietly. “I could have told you. But I didn’t.”
She was feeling bad? Guilt twisted in his chest like a knife. No, this couldn’t be right. He was the one who should grovel. He was the one keeping secrets, who needed to confess.
But then she leaned down, kissed him, and all his thoughts dissolved.
She was so warm, her skin still damp from the shower, her hair leaving droplets on his cheeks as her lips moved against his.
Lochlan kissed her back, letting her warmth and the soft press of her lips distract from the tension still lingering in his chest. But when she reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it up and over his head, his heart kicked into overdrive.
The towel dropped to the floor, and for a moment, all he could do was stare. Nia didn’t give him the chance to overthink. She pushed him back onto the bed, her hands quick to undo his pants and slide them down his legs.
He thought about slowing her down, his hands instinctively brushing her hips. But her grip was firm, insistent, as she guided him to her entrance, her body pressing flush against his.
“Nia—”
“Loch.” she murmured, cutting him off as she sank onto him.
