Page 141 of Her Beast

“S’nice.” Julia could barely keep her eyes open. “I don’t know why I’m so tired.”

He chuckled. “Half a dozen orgasms will take it out of a person.”

Which was when Julia recalled thathehad not enjoyed any release.“You didn’t get to—”

“Shhh. Just rest.”

She struggled to push herself up, but his arm tightened around her and he held her in place firmly, but gently. “It doesn’t matter, Julia.”

Julia didn’t agree atall. Her memory of that afternoon with Solomon—and how unfulfilling it had been—was still fresh enough that she burned with embarrassment that she’d just done the same thing to Malcolm.

“But I want to,” she said, and then ruined her claim by yawning.

He slid his fingers through into her hair and began plucking out the few pins that hadn’t already fallen out.

“Later, sweetheart,” he murmured, the endearment making her neck feel boneless. “For now, just rest.”

She fought against another yawn but lost the battle. “P’rahaps just for a moment. You won’t let me fall asleep?”

“No. I won’t let you fall asleep.”

Chapter 29

Julia blinked to clear the sleep from her eyes, momentarily confused as her gaze flickered around the unfamiliar room.

Then she saw the paintings above the fire—they were called dragon-something, although they didn’t look like any dragon she’d ever imagined—and recalled where she was: Malcolm’s bedroom.

One thought struck her like a slap.He let me fall asleep!

Julia pushed up and tugged the blankets up over her bare breasts and looked at the other side of the bed; she was alone.

She reached down between her thighs—as if to assure herself that he’d really had his face down there last night, for what must have beenhours—and felt the slightly abraded skin where his night beard had chafed her.

Yes, it reallyhadhappened.

She squeezed her thighs together and smiled at the sensations that lingered in the area—as if he’d pleasured her so deeply that she was permanently branded.

Julia’s smile slid away; why was she alone?

Like her suite of rooms this one was also windowless so it was impossible to tell what time it was. How was she supposed to get back to her rooms?

Julia glanced around and saw a servant pull, right beside the bed.

But if she rang for a servant they would know that she’d been with their employer.

Fool. You think they don’t already know?

Julia grimaced. Yes, it was likely the whole house knew.

But what were her other choices? Cower in bed all day?

Julia was just leaning over to pull the servant cord when she spied a dressing gown across the bench at the foot of the bed.

She pushed back the blankets, padded over to it, and slipped it over her shoulders. On the floor were slippers that were clearly meant for her feet.

A quick glance around the room showed her no gown, petticoat, or any of Malcolm’s clothing. In fact, there was nothing personal at all—no photographs, no books on the nightstand.

She wandered into the huge bathroom, very similar to the one in her own suite of rooms. It was pristine, as if it had never been used.

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