I’d love to take in every detail of this place. Even cast in darkness, I can tell it’s cozy and majestic, nothing like the frigid, opulent home I grew up in.
I hear footsteps on the stairwell and look up to see the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her eyes twinkle at me, a lovely blue, and her hair’s tucked up in a messy bun.
“Hello,” she whispers. She’s got a few things tucked in her arms. “I’m Cairstina.”
“Hello,” I whisper back. “Name’s Bryn.”
She smiles and nods, then for some reason leaves again without another word after handing Mac the items. It’s strange, like we’ve been visited by a fairy in the middle of the night or something.
“She doesn’t talk much,” Mac says. “When she first came here, she was mute.”
“Seriously?”
He nods soberly. “Aye. She still only says the bare minimum.”
It seems both sad and a little strange, but I can accept it. I have so many questions about the Cowen family. They intrigue me far more than my own.
With the bundle of clothing and a small bag of toiletries tucked under his arm, Mac leads me through the entryway toward a kitchen. “We’ll enter here,” he says in a whisper, “instead of going around the main way. It’ll be faster.”
This kitchen is brilliant, and I’d love to see it in full swing of a day. There’s a large stone fireplace, an industrial-sized stove, and sundry other things I’d like to explore at another time. It smells of freshly baked bread and cinnamon, and there’s an enormous cello-wrapped platter of golden scones on the table, likely for breakfast.
“I can’t believe I’m starving again. Seems all we’ve done is eat.”
He grins. “It’s definitely not all we’ve done.”
My cheeks flush, and I stifle a yawn. This has been the sexiest date of my life, no-holds-barred. It feels like one of the longest nights of my life, and yet I still don’t want it to end.
He opens the door that leads us to the back of the house, and from here, I get a clear glimpse of the little chalets, twinkling under a night sky. I sigh with contentment.
“This is mine,” he says with a note of pride. “Come this way.”
A stone pathway to the left leads us down to one of the small houses, but when we approach it seems much larger than I anticipated.
“It’s adorable,” I breathe. “Like a fairy cottage or something.”
He smiles. “Thanks. Adorable fairy cottage definitely wasn’t what I was going for, but I’ll take it.”
I smile bashfully and take his proffered hand.
It’s dark and cool when he opens the door. He flicks a light switch, and overhead lights blink on. I yawn widely, but don’t want to pause even for a second, because I want to take in every single detail of his home.
It’s a bit messier than his flat in the city, making me wonder how much time he spends in either and if he has paid staff to clean for him. A few pairs of shoes are kicked off by the door, a haphazard pile of boots and leather, and there’s a small entryway with hooks for coats and hats. A carpet runner leads to the main room.
There’s a fireplace and built-in shelving around it with books on either side. The mantle houses an assortment of candles and a few picture frames, though I can’t see the pictures from where I stand. There’s a living room with comfortable-looking, rustic furniture, a farm-style kitchen, and to the right, an open door that I assume is his bedroom.
I yawn again, suddenly completely exhausted.
“Alright, love,” he says, holding my hand. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Never in my life has anyone cared for me like this. And I have to admit… it feels nice.
I nod. “This has been a really amazing night, Mac,” I say on another yawn. “But I’m shattered.”
I’m nervous about what the morning will bring, if I’m honest. I don’t know what will happen next.
Will his family know who I am? Will they have grievances against my father, or my brother? I feel I’m woefully unprepared to avoid the job my father commissioned me with. I don't know what they know about me, or what their prejudices may be against my family. Or really anything about them.
I’m tired, though. So tired. I’ve eaten delicious, rich food, climaxed so many times I’ve lost count, and I was up early this morning getting ready for the day.
So I take the things he gives me, and go to the bathroom to prepare for bed. A little thrill of excitement runs through me when I flick on the overhead light. Everything about this place is perfectly well-appointed. The bathroom is large and spacious, with a circular whirlpool tub, a small standing shower, and a huge mirror and vanity. It's immaculately clean, though a little untidy with a few towels here and there, and Mac’s toiletries on the counter.