An Affair at Christmastide: a Mary and Bright novel by Sandra Sookoo

Author:Sandra Sookoo [Sookoo, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Independence Books
Published: 2023-12-12T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Gabriel didn’t know how long they’d laid together on that sofa, but eventually, she shoved at his shoulder, and he moved off her body.

As they both put their clothing to rights, he couldn’t help but think what would become of their relationship now that they’d given into desire. He didn’t want another marriage, at least not in this moment, but would she? From the little she’d told him about her past, he rather doubted she’d be willing to jump into that much-lauded state either.

If he wished to continue their association, they would need to conduct an affair and she would essentially become his mistress. Not quite a respectable position for a woman of such integrity as the widow, which was why it was a conundrum.

“I can almost hear you thinking, Bright,” Mary said as she shifted her position on the sofa with her ankle propped on a decorative pillow.

Whenever she called him by his surname, it was a sure sign she was content or satisfied. It was when she used his title that meant she was angry, annoyed, or frustrated.

“What if I am?”

“Don’t ruin what we just shared by thinking.”

“I cannot help it. We met two days ago. It has almost been forty-eight hours, and within that time, we’ve butted heads more often than not. Additionally, there has been a murder.” He mulled over his next words carefully. “Yet I have defiled you once and bedded you once. What does that say about me?”

Methodically, she removed the pins from her hair, and he watched in slight fascination as she shook out the blonde waterfall of her tresses. “That you are finally willing to live again after whatever happened in your past to make you retreat from life.” She shrugged as she looked at him. “Beyond that, a man can’t defile a woman if she was a willing participant, and I wanted the bedding as much as you. If you are deemed scandalous, so will I be, and I don’t care what people think of me.”

Damn, but he admired her determination. Right now, he wanted to tangle his fingers in that hair, pull her head back, and kiss her senseless, tell her she’d been an accidental catalyst for the changes he was recently beginning to feel, but he did none of that. Instead, he stood rooted to the floor while the dancing candle flames sent eerie shadows over the walls.

“Neither do I, but I don’t want you to think me depraved.”

“I don’t, and you are an intelligent man, Bright. I’m quite certain you know what I think of you.”

Heat went up the back of his neck. “We can only hope I’m right.” Obviously, he hadn’t gotten her out of his system by bedding her. That was troubling, so he shoved those thoughts away. “Should we discuss the case, then?”

She heaved a sigh. “I am not in the mood for murder, and it would destroy this lovely feeling I’m enjoying from your attentions.” As she talked, she gathered her hair, formed

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