Page 8 of Knot Letting Go

“Nonsense.” Enid waved off the protest.

“Well, Kon wants us all to have lunch together today. Maybe in the sunroom with some of your famous salmon stuffed avocados?” I rubbed my hands together. Enid was trained in Mediterranean cooking, and the days I missed living in Europe, she provided the cure to that sickness.

“Miss?” Enid glanced at Aubrielle.

“Yes, that sounds lovely. I have no allergies, if you’re worried. I eat most anything except really hot spicy foods. And please call me Aubrielle. I hope to have Lillianna in here with you sometime and you can teach us both about cooking.”

“Oh, I like you more and more.” Enid bustled into the kitchen to the fridge and peered inside. “We have enough salmon for today. I was thinking a vegetable lasagna for dinner.”

“Perfect!” I clapped my hands and headed to the small staircase at the back of the kitchen. “Aubrielle, these are the only stairs I use. Coming right down in the morning to the kitchen to Enid’s breakfasts is the only way to start the day. Shall I show you your room now?”

Aubrielle nodded and turned to Enid. “Thank you again.”

“Go get settled, dearie. And don’t let Quill sweet talk you into anything.”

I laughed and led the way up the stairs. There were a half dozen bedrooms at this end of the manor, two of which were Callista’s and Kienna’s old rooms. “Guestrooms, all of these. If you were to continue up to the third floor, you’ll find the gym, game room, and my bedroom. It’s all new. I converted the unused storage space up there after we moved back last year. Feel free to go up and use anything anytime.”

The scent of her perfume made me heady as it grew stronger. All I wanted to do was lure her up the stairs to my room, tie her to the bed, and worship her body.

She had put another foot of space between us. Did she feel the pull too? I was used to having women beg for my attentions, but this, oh, fuck, she was going to test the limits of my control.

We passed the main staircase which led down to the front foyer and entered the east wing. “Kon’s staying in the master suite.” I tapped my fingers on the closed door and motioned across the hall. “Lilli’s room. She’s still sleeping.”

Someone had left a pink flower in the keyhole with a little note attached. Aubrielle’s expression softened as she brushed her fingers over the petals. “A dahlia from Callista’s bouquet.”

“My sister, even going off for her honeymoon, she’s thinking of others.” It came out just a little more than a whisper.I’d missed Callista over the years. We’d been close when we were kids, but then I’d been shipped off to Italy and ripped away from my family. Kon was there, but he’d always been walled off from everyone. Only Lillianna seemed to be able to slip inside of his emotional barriers.

“She does,” Aubrielle agreed. Her smile was more open, but as she looked at me, a rosy flush crept up her neck and she averted her gaze.

I was reveling in this cat and mouse game. If I was lucky, I’d be licking my lips with her cream someday soon. “Let me show you your suite. You’re just around the corner from Lilli’s room.”

The hall curved around a corner to a deadend. A potted plant sat at the end of the hall under a stained glass window. I pushed open the door to the suite. It had been my and my siblings’ nanny suite when we were young, and my father’s and his brother’s before us. It was tucked away in the east end corner of the manor, and by far, the most cozy suite. I’d considered taking it as my own room when we first moved back, but needing my own space away from everyone, I took over the third floor and made it my own.

“Here we are.” I swept inside and did a slow turn in the morning sun which streamed between the thick curtains. There was a small living room area and a tiny kitchenette. The bedroom housed a queen sized bed, and the bathroom had an old-fashioned clawfoot tub with gold feet. “What do you think? Anything you want to change, just let me know. I’ll make it happen. Oh, and there’s a small balcony out through that door there.”

Aubrielle walked around the suite in slow motion. She ran her fingers over the surfaces and gasped a little when she looked out to the balcony. Her wide-eyed wonder made her evenmore beautiful. “I don’t need anything else. This is… wow. This is perfect.”

“Well, perfect would be my room, but you can come see that later.” I winked, wanting a giggle and smile, but instead, she looked like she wanted to run. She turned and hid her face behind her hair. I’d never met anyone so deliciously shy, and more so, I never expected it to turn me on so much.

Screw Kon’s rules. I wanted Aubrielle.

“Paula?” A hesitant voice came along with a little knock at the door. Lillianna poked her head into the room and broke out into a smile at seeing me. She stepped in while holding the dahlia in her hand. “Uncle Quill!”

She ran to me and I met her halfway, scooping her up and swinging her around before giving her a giant hug. “Good morning to my favorite niece in the whole world.”

Lillianna giggled and then gave me a stern look. “Uncle Quill, you can’t say that anymore. Isabella would be sad.”

“Ah, yeah, you do have a point. How about my favorite child of my only brother?” I gave her side a tickle.

“I’m the only child of your brother’s.” Lillianna laughed anyway and turned her head to look curiously at Aubrielle. “Hi.”

“Hi, Lillianna. It’s so wonderful to see you again.” Aubrielle approached with a gorgeous smile. “How did you enjoy the wedding yesterday?”

“It was so good! Aunt Callista looked beautiful. Everyone was dressed up and it felt like a fairy tale came to life. I loved it! Kienna even let me taste champagne.” Lillianna enthusiastically rattled on and then crinkled her nose. “It was yucky.”

Aubrielle leaned in as if she was sharing a secret. “I’m not a fan of champagne either. Too bubbly.”

“Guess what, sweetheart?” I jiggled my niece in my arms. “Aubrielle is going to be staying with us as your new nanny. Isn’t that exciting?”

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