The Chase by Sara Portman

Author:Sara Portman
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-09-13T20:26:30+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Juliana awoke to the foreign sensation of sleeping next to another person. A very large, warm, solid person. She wanted to roll toward him and appease her curiosity, but she did not know if he slept still and did not want to be caught staring at him.

She gave in to temptation just enough to turn her head slowly. The blanket crossed low over his abdomen and his chest was uncovered. She wanted to reach out and touch it. She had touched it the night before, but that had been…then. She didn’t know what to expect now, or what he expected.

And if she touched him, she would surely wake him.

She considered the light filtering in through thin, ineffective curtains and wondered at the time. They would be back on the road to London very soon. Juliana knew she should feel more relief and excitement at the prospect than she did. She would collect her funds and be on her way—away from her father.

Away from Michael.

It was a silly thought. Of course she would part ways with Michael. They were only travelers on the same road. Beyond that, their lives held no connection.

Except that she had asked him to make love to her and he had obliged her request—most devastatingly. Her cheeks heated at the thought of all that they had done—and the realization that she was stretched alongside him, still as bare as she’d been the night before. She clutched the covers to her chin and scooted away from the sleeping stranger who’d seen more of her than anyone else ever had—or ever would.

“Good morning.”

She started and turned her head to look at him. He was smiling at her, unburdened by the same uncertainty. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before rolling to his side and rising from the bed, pausing briefly before standing to test the weight on his leg. She looked her fill of him as he crossed the small room, unabashed in his nakedness.

She held the blanket tightly and considered how silly she was. Of course he shouldn’t be bothered with modesty. They had passed that point, had they not? She should feel no hesitation in rising herself to collect her clothing on the other side of the room.

And yet she couldn’t.

He dressed efficiently and she knew she was wasting time. She spied her shift and dress draped over the chair by the fireplace. Where was her bold courage now? Where was her determination to be surprising and independent?

Apparently her determination was now cold and frightened and no longer comfortable without its clothes on.

Michael returned to the bedside. “If Albert has kept his promise, a carriage departed London at first light and will collect us by midday.”

He was implying it was time for her to be out of bed, but she didn’t rise. She only nodded.

He must have sensed her quandary, for he retrieved the dress and shift from the fireside chair and brought them to her, laying them on the quilt. “Would you like my help?”

No.

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