Page 21 of Tied in Knots
“Apart from having to kick Xander’s arse once or twice, yeah.” He yawns and stands up. “You here to take over?”
I nod, even though that is not strictly why I’m here. “Did you speak to her?” I ask curiously before he turns to leave.
“A little bit. Her name is Faith.”
“Faith,” I repeat with reverence. “It’s beautiful.”
“So is she.”
“You’ve seen her?” I frown, not liking that he’s had this time with her.
He shakes his head. “I went to get her some food but when I opened up the door, she snatched it from me and then slammed the door in my face.”
“She shutyouout?” I let out a soft laugh. “She has fire, this one.”
“Yeah, no shit. Listen, I’m fucked. Here’s the key.” He hands it to me, and I weigh it in my palm.
“Go sleep,” I tell him.
I watch him stumble tiredly down the hallway and then turn to the door. I wait all of two seconds before I slide the key in the lock and turn it.
Pushing the door open a crack, there’s no sound on the other side. I peer inside, but see the bedroom is completely empty and the covers have been taken from the bed. Instantly, I cross to the window to see if she made an escape, but it’s closed and locked from the inside. That’s when it strikes me.
I turn slowly towards the small walk-in wardrobe and smile. Crossing over to it, I reach for the handle and quietly open the door.
She’s there, Faith, all curled up asleep in her nest of duck down duvet with its white Egyptian cotton cover, all four pillows and the sheet. She looks so cosy and warm. I want to reach out and touch her.
She has Sebastian’s tie wrapped around her head, Rambo-style, with the wide end resting against her cheek, probably so she can smell his scent in her sleep. She has fallen for him. Big time. It’s not surprising. In fact, it’s welcome.
Her eyes flutter open and then go wide when she sees me.
She cowers slightly, but I crouch down quickly so I don’t appear as intimidating.
“Hi, Faith. I’m Benjamin,” I say, pressing my hand to my chest.
“Summer rain,” she murmurs.
“Hm?”
She shakes her head. “Tired.”
“I know, sweet girl. Go back to sleep, you are safe here.”
She murmurs something I don’t catch and turns over, nestling further under the duvet. She is asleep again in seconds. On impulse, I take my white cotton t-shirt off and tuck it in near her face, stroking her light blonde hair that is strewn out over the pillow. She breathes in deeply and a small smile plays on her lips. She turns her face into it.
I feel like a king.
“I’ll get you some food and drink,” I whisper and stroke her forehead, feeling how warm she is. She is in her pre-heat, which means in about three days’ time, she is going to be in full heat.
What that means for us, I don’t know. But I do know that Sebastian needs this information now.
Standing up, I carefully and quietly shut the door to the wardrobe and creep out, closing the door behind me and locking it. I pocket the key.
Heading down the stairs, taking them two at a time, I make my way through the kitchen and ask the cook to whip up a feast for me to take back on my return. She is eager to please and sets about doing as I ask.
Taking the steps that lead down to the wine cellar, I see Sebastian leaning against the iron gate, his hands gripping the bars above his head. He looks like hell. His shirt is all untucked and rumpled, he needs a shave, and his hair is all mussed.
“Bad night?” I ask with a smirk.
