Page 46 of Rook of Ruin
“I’ve always hated you—just enough each day so I could live without you. What else could I do?”
My mouth drops.Say something, you idiot.“Maybe try not hating me.”
He shrugs with a smirk. Annoying.
A thud hits my chamber door. Unhappily, I remove myself, and Alec watches with a wicked grin that makes me want to crawl back into bed. Grabbing my dressing gown and shoving my arms through the sleeves, I swing open the chamber door. The servant flushes with embarrassment at seeing me in a dressing gown. He bows and produces a letter, and I thank him before shutting the door and walking back towards my bed chamber.
I laugh, feeling full. “We have a baby girl named after us.” I wave Jon’s letter as I lean against my bedroom doorframe, enjoying the view of the handsome man in my bed.
“Really? Let me guess.” He scrunches his face. “Ossiath. No? Olec?” I shake my head, still laughing. “Arla? Spaith? Opider? Okay, I give up.”
I grin like a fool. “We are—”
Nora bursts in with breakfast. “Now, I know you said no more extra croissants, but—”
“Nora!” I hug her and whisper yell, “He woke up!”
“I’ll tell Christoph!” She blushes at the guard’s name. “And Nolan. They will be so happy! While you are getting ready for the ball tonight, they can enjoy time with him.” Nora smiles, butmy face falters. I forgot about the ball. “Unless you want me to wait?”
“No, please tell them. I would like”—my face almost gives me away—“some time to check him over.”Oh how I want to check that man over and over.“To ensure there are no lasting issues and talk to him about everything that has happened so far.”
“Of course, my lady. I understand. I will be back with lunch and to assist you, if needed, when Queen Inara’s stylists come.”
“Thank you, Nora.” My toothy grin makes her smile broadly, and I scoot the cart into my bedroom. Alec is sitting up. “Tea?” I ask him.
“Actually, I need your help. I need to refresh myself.” He tries very hard to look unbothered, but I know it’s difficult for him to ask for help.
“Do you want me to close my eyes?” Warmth creeps up my chest and face.
“You mean you’ve not looked this whole time?” Alec lifts an eyebrow, and a grin forms on his handsome face. “How am I so clean?”
“No, I did not.” I lift my chin. “I asked Nolan and Christoph for help.”
“Really?” He seems impressed.
I round the bed, holding out my arms to help him. When he stands, I have to consciously close my mouth. I’ve seen many Rooks without their shirts in the training yard, but never Alec. Sharp lines curve and divot down his chest and into his abs, defining his body. His muscles form a solid ‘v,’ and the massive cock that hits his thighs . . .damn.
Alec has tattoos that extend from his legs up through his torso, stopping at his very defined chest but weaving their way up his back. I had no idea, no clue a man could be this mesmerizing.
He chuckles, his deep voice rumbling. “My eyes are up here.”
I blush furiously and wish I had something quick-witted to say. He leans against me, stumbling a few times, which snaps me out of my reverie. We almost fall into the tub, but I manage to steady him as he grips the vanity. “Do you need help into the—”
“Nope. Thanks, but I can handle it from here.” He gives me an awkward glance.
“Okay,” I hold up my hands, then leave him to his devices. When he is ready, I help him back up and into bed.
I sit next to him, all proprietary gone along with my dressing gown. He slowly drinks the tea and eats a piece of bacon as I fill him in on how I got Nolan and Christoph to help me. He hands me his cup, and I place it onto the nightstand. I have a million questions I want to ask him, but I see how tired he is. Alec closes his eyes, and I get up to leave. He growls, pulling me to him, nestling my head in the crook of his arm. I almost want to laugh. Alec is a completely different man than I thought he was. Sweet. Cuddly. I know in my heart he will keep me safe. With that thought, it doesn’t take much for sleep to take me.
I dream of golden eyes and soft touches. I moan when those soft touches turn rough.
“Orlaith.” I open my eyes to silver ones. “You’re moaning in your sleep.” My face warms, and a wicked smile forms on Alec’s face. “I only woke you because I’m a little jealous.”
“Of a dream.” I deadpan.
Alec’s fingers brush against my spine. “Yes.”
My teeth scrape across my bottom lip as I try to think of a response and not of how his fingers create electricity through my body. “I didn’t take you for the jealous sort.”
