The next few days passed quickly. They spent every possible moment they could together when he was not working and she was not starting her new sketches or paintings for her current commission. They ate, bathed and slept together every night. Whether at the cottage or the manor. She already loved bubble baths, but using the grand-sized bath in his mother’s old suite and luxuriating with him was absolute heaven. Of course, it always led to other things, usually midway through, but at least it was clean fun.
She had even spent time in the pool alone with him, locking the main door in case anyone came down and taking delight in getting her naked and breathless in both the pool and the sauna. He was even more lust fueled now that she was no longer a secret than the previous early days. Something she had not thought possible or had predicted.
She was beginning to see a side to him that was irresistible. Instead of the dark looks and stress of their earlier relationship and stolen moments, he was more carefree and relaxed. Happy to laze around the manor with her watching old soppy films or take Abby and Rose on shopping trips out of town. He always had to have some contact, even when sitting casually at dinner. Feet together or elbows together, and if she were too far away, he would pull her whole chair closer to feel her beside him.
Things had shifted a lot in their relationship in that he held her hand in public wherever they went and took delight in as many outings as he could fit in between work and travel. He didn’t care who saw them. He seemed proud to show her off. Proud to have men appreciate her beauty and see his strong arm always around her protectively. Most of the town had now seen them canoodling and holding arms or hands, he couldn’t go anywhere without the urge to grope her in some way or kiss her and those that hadn’t had soon learned of their blossoming romance from the village grapevine.
That was the downside of a tight-knit small community. No one seemed surprised to see them together after a few days, news hitting and filtering through. Not a single backwards glance was cast or raised an eyebrow at their inability to keep their hands to themselves after a while. It was taking some getting used too, no longer having to look around and see who was watching, and Rose was relieved that no one made any comments about Morag.
Rob had rung the hospital daily, checking Morag’s progress and being told she was not allowed visitors until the psychiatrist felt she was more emotionally stable. Her arms and wounds were healing nicely with no complications. The damage to her tendons was repaired. He had a feeling she was refusing to see him.
He tried to pass it off easily, but Rose wasn’t fooled. Morag was besotted with Rob, so refusing to see him was a major deal; she knew he was worrying about where that would lead. He didn’t talk about it, though. Rob always kept all his worries and problems deep inside and dealt with them alone. She had not cracked that wall just yet.
She knew his new-found inhibition was partly because Morag was not here and had no idea what he was doing in her absence. Offering him a little freedom he had not had in a very long time, making him more relaxed. She knew he was making the most of it before he had to face the reality of her release, and like a timer on a countdown, Rose was only too aware that the sand was pouring away slowly.
Abby was around a lot less lately. Her relationship had stepped up a gear, and much to Rob’s displeasure, she had begun spending nights at Duncan’s family farm. Cosy Sunday dinners with his parents and siblings, spending her free time helping down at their farm shop. They had agreed on a future family dinner with them at the manor soon, and Rose had sensed his tension when Abby had announced the plan. It was looking serious, and he did not like it one bit.
Rose missed her, but she relished the extra time she got to spend alone with Rob; savouring every moment this time around, feeling like she really was in a proper relationship and not just stealing moments together; everything felt different and right. She was so much happier.
Muffin had become so accustomed to the manor, and the lap of Alice, that he wagged excitedly the second he would see the sweeping drive and towering wooden front door. His little tongue flopped out of his mouth, and his ears perked with sheer delight. Tail whipping ecstatically.
Hamish had even come into the house for dinner a couple of times, finally getting to bask openly in the sight of his son and his lady. They had a night with all five of them for dinner, Rose and Rob and Abby with Duncan at Hamish’s request. A pleasant relaxed dinner, enjoying the easy banter between them all.
He teased and chided Rob affectionately when they moved to the lounge with coffee, and Abby had taken Duncan to her room upon arrival.
‘I’m happy for you, Laddie. Finally, saw sense and held onto this woman with all you got. Knew it wouldn’t take you long to give in and go after her.’ He winked at Rose and shoved his son on the shoulder playfully.
Rob didn’t respond, he just pulled Rose closer by the hand, so she nuzzled against him on the couch and kissed her softly on the cheek. A warm affection in his eyes showed he agreed with everything his father said.
‘He couldn’t resist me.’ Rose giggled playfully and curled up closer, sliding her arms through his and nestling her face against his arm. He slid it out and put it around her instead, so she could lay her cheek on his chest and rest his chin on top of her head.
‘You should have seen the state of him in my croft most nights, cradling a whiskey and crying into his old dad’s belly.’ He laughed and dodged the throw pillow Rob threw his way.
‘Thanks for ruining the manly image my beautiful girl had of me. Dad!’ Rob was grinning, but Hamish only shook his head.
It made Rose feel glowy inside that he had suffered as much as she had through their break up. Mending those memories a little.
‘Nothing could ruin that.’ Rose fluttered at him affectionately, but Rob only frowned.
‘I honestly cannot tell if you’re being serious or playing along with him right now.’ He smiled at her and tried to gaze into her head a little intensely.
‘Guess you will never know.’ She winked in jest, then squealed when he pulled her onto his lap to nibble, diving in at her neck and shoulders, restraining her effortlessly with sheer muscle.
‘Children, you’re making your old man blush. Take it to a bedroom.’ Hamish laughed again, and they both returned to their previous positions, Rose trying to smooth her dress out and untangle her hair from her necklace. Rob casually slumped back into holding her close.
‘Soon enough, old man. Right now, we’re picking a movie and having family time with you, seeing as you’re a lonely old senile who could use the company.’ Rob grinned at his father and received a mock bop on the head as thanks. Smiles as Alice appeared with the pre-planned popcorn and milkshakes all around.
* * *
It was now mid-week, and they were lazily lying across his bed semi-dressed. They had been naked only an hour before, sweaty and caught up with each other beneath the sheets in their favourite past time. Now they were cooling off and lost in work.
Rose had a sketchbook lying on the end of his duvet and was stretched out on her stomach, wearing one of his shirts, her body still tingling and relaxed and lost in drawing out some character ideas. Rob was sitting at the head of the bed, the length of him down her side, his covered feet level with her shoulders. He had his outstretched hand laid across her naked legs protectively, topless, and covered by the bed sheet from the waist down; he was reading through papers he needed to sign off on, a frown of concentration on his face. Lately, he had been frowning more when working or reading his papers, sitting over his laptop or on his phone.
They had left the TV playing, an old movie, set down low in the background, adding to the peaceful atmosphere and contentment; Muffin was curled under the bed on his thick plush rug and snoring softly. It had been a long day for them both concerning work, and now here, unwinding after food, sex and showering, in that order in this comfortable silence, Rose felt like she was exactly where she belonged.
Rob leant forward, gently slapping her butt and announcing he had to make a call. Lifting his paperwork and dumping it ceremoniously on the side table. He pulled out one stapled file and tossed it over the top of her, nearer the door, so it landed on the bed closer to his office. She threw a loose cushion at him as he passed. The sheet slid from his naked body, allowing her a moment to admire him as he walked around the bed. She sighed deeply, inwardly cursing his distraction and tried to bring her focus back to the drawings at hand. Aware of how easily he made her blood pressure rise, he pulled some clothes out of his long wardrobe and began getting dressed.
‘You need clothes to make a call?’ She smiled, rolling onto her back on the bed, twisting her hair with one hand and watching him pull on a t-shirt which clung to his muscular shoulders and back.
‘I find that I feel a little less weird talking business with clothes on. Especially when it comes to my fifty-year-old male solicitor... Plus, naked conference calls tend to put off the clients when it’s video chat.’ He walked back to the bed, scooping down to plant a soft kiss on her lips upside down, then another lower down on her exposed cleavage.
‘Besides, I may be a while. The contracts they sent require minor changes before I sign off on them. That means calls to set up a board meeting too. My assistant will not be pleased to hear from me at this time of day.’ He frowned and lingered to trail some more kisses across her cleavage.
Rose put on her most believable petted lip and frown face, fluttering sad eyes at him. Knowing that this had proven a very useful tool many times over when she wanted something from him in recent days. It was usually more naked time, just as it was now.
‘I know, baby, but I do this now via telephone, or I leave it and get hauled in for a directors meeting when the construction is stopped.’ He let his fingers trail her collarbone, pushing back the thin material of his pinstripe shirt on her body. She always looked good in his clothes, and he found it hard to resist her creamy skin. She had only buttoned it up part way, and he exposed more skin by pulling an extra button loose
‘I suppose it could wait an extra hour.’ That devilish gleam in his eyes as his fingers traced down over her naked breast was a sign she had won him over effortlessly. She bit her lip and moved up the bed slightly, moving her legs seductively, causing him to groan.
‘Jesus, Rose! When the business goes tits up, I’ll only have you to blame.’ He pulled his t-shirt back over his head, leaning down to capture her mouth and slowly removing the shirt barely concealing the rest of her nakedness. Sliding over her on the bed, moving over her neck, kissing it erotically and pinning her hands by her head. Rose completely surrendered to him.
The phone on the bedside table began ringing loudly, vibrating clumsily, and he let out an agitated moan before moving off her to retrieve his mobile. In his clipped business tone, he pressed the screen and informed them it was Rob Munro.
Rose sat up and pulled the shirt back on reluctantly, the look on his face signalling the end of playtime. He cursed under his breath and turned, walking off into his office via the adjoining door wearing only sweatpants, his fingertips trailing down her long leg and foot as he passed by. Her gaze followed the tanned width of his muscular shoulders disappointedly, at the expanse of smooth skin crying out for her to touch it.
She could tell by the tone of his voice it was about the construction he had been overseeing for the past few weeks. He had briefly told her about it only the day before. He didn’t sound impressed.
One of their breweries had expanded, setting up in another location in France. They had merged with a vineyard and had plans for some hybrid alcohol. The French officials held up the new building with many white flags and papers. Safety issues, problems in the contracts; he had been minorly stressing over it, and his workload the past couple of days seemed to have doubled.
She wandered into the office, handing him his t-shirt and kissing him on the cheek before turning and walking back to the bedroom. Catching her by the shirt hem, he pulled her back, sliding a hand up her exposed neck and along her jaw, cupping her under her ear lightly. He pulled her forward, brushing his mouth against hers mid-sentence and mouthing a ‘sorry’. Obvious disappointment on his face that he was going to be a while.
She could tell!
Once he had that business face on, he was pretty much stuck there until he resolved whatever needed to be resolved. No point lying around here listening to him getting frustrated on the phone. She would go to the cottage and collect some watercolours and pens. Make a start on one of her illustrations at the kitchen table until he was done.
Seeing her pulling on clothes as she passed the open door, he covered his phone
‘Where are you going?’ He frowned her way.
‘To the cottage for supplies, I have some illustrations I could be doing while you’re busy. I won’t be long.’ She smiled back at him, pulling her dress over her head awkwardly.
He gestured for her to come to him again with a nod, and even though he was still talking to someone on the other end of his call, he stood up to meet her, planting a soft kiss on her mouth, this time parting her lips and letting their tongues softly graze. A slight second of erotica but enough to bring the heat back up her chest and neck, her body sizzling for him. His eyes landed on her mouth, running a thumb across the fullness of her lips, a brief glimmer of matched longing before returning to his seat and lifting the lid on his laptop.
He had once told her he liked to leave her wanting when they parted, as he knew it meant she would hurry back. That made her laugh, but he had repeatedly proven it was true. Right now, she wanted nothing more than for that kiss to be continued.
The drive to the cottage in the fading sun with Muffin felt good. She felt happier than she could ever recall feeling, despite the issue with Morag on hiatus and still in the back of her mind, she was glowing with contentment nowadays. Her skin was radiant from endless hours of making love most nights. This never-ending craving for one another only worsening the more they partook.
So much had happened. She knew things had changed and wouldn’t return to what they had been. Rob’s attitude towards Morag had changed too. He pushed any talk of her out of the conversation when she arose and seemed happy for the time being to forget her existence.
Well, now every single soul in the town knew she was Rob’s girlfriend. It wouldn’t be long before the woman’s reappearance, and all the fall out that came with it would have to be dealt with.
The cottage, as always, welcomed her warmly with an instant feeling of home and safety. Just as it had been for her aunt Olivia. She loved this place and knew no matter what happened with Rob, she would never sell it; always keep this little treasure as her haven and hideaway should she ever need it.
Pulling out a large black hold-all, she packed a lot of art supplies and tools and found the notes and papers she had printed off, outlining specifics and the manuscript for the book she was creating images for. She took her time, enjoying the sanctuary of her little house. Muffin explored his familiar domain, like being back home after moving out. The old bedroom was a familiar place to relax and breathe, like a warm hug.
Packing some of her clothes and toiletries in an overnight bag, she grabbed Muffin's fluffy bed and food bowls while she was here. She knew by now that Rob would expect her to stay with him tonight; he liked waking up with her by his side, and after a continuous few nights together, they had both taken it for granted they would sleep wherever they ended up together. Be it here or at his. With his workload the last few days, it made more sense for him to be near his home office to deal with things there.
By the time she dragged herself away from the cottage and made the short trip back to the manor, she had been gone for the best part of an hour. Letting herself in the main door now that he had given her a key. She was surprised to see him standing in the hall. His butt perched on a side table with a look of stress on his face.
Was he waiting for her?
He would have heard her car pull up from his office, which overlooked the entrance. He seemed relieved to see her and immediately walked over to relieve her of the bags.
‘What’s wrong?’ She asked cautiously, slightly unnerved by his serious expression and sombre stance.
‘I had a call while you were gone!... From the hospital... Morag’s asked to see me.’ He searched her face for a reaction, but she kept it steady, despite the drop in her heart or the increased speed of its beat. She knew it shouldn’t affect her, but the flip in her stomach and the ice-cold feeling of dread caught her out of nowhere.
‘Oh!’
He kissed her on the cheek quickly, a dark look crossing his face and relieving her of her luggage. He led the way to his room, dumping her bags on the bed before turning back to face her, pulling her against him softly.
‘We both know I need to do this, Rose. If we are to carry on the way it’s been the last couple of weeks, I need to see her. It’s been hanging in the air, over us... Lingering and waiting...Unfinished!’ He said softly, still standing close.
‘I know.’ Her lip trembled, feeling insecure suddenly. Rob seeing the tiny tremor of emotion, cupped her face kissing her lightly on the mouth, staying close and brushing noses.
‘I love you. Nothing’s going to change. I won’t let it.’ He nuzzled her softly.
‘I love you.’ She smiled softly, unable to let him go. The sense of foreboding moved over her and taking small, steady breaths to push away the growing tide of anxiety. Sensing her vulnerability, he scooped her up in his arms and hugged her tightly. Squeezing her a little too tightly and lifting her off her feet. He made a strange ‘argh’ noise in his throat, which caused her to giggle unguardedly, her eyes coming to his as her arms slid around his neck, relaxing her a little.
‘So god damn much that sometimes I could squeeze the life out of you.’ He jested and brought her nose to touch his, eyes locked and still holding her a foot above the ground.
‘Please don’t. I happen to like breathing.’ She giggled and kissed him this time, opening her mouth to feel his tongue against hers, the soft way he could devour her mouth.
Placing her gently on his bed and planting another chaste kiss on her mouth, he stayed against her for a few moments, his hands brushing back her hair, neither saying anything. He let her go and slid away as she fell back to sit on the bed, watching him. He picked Muffin up from the floor, rubbing the little fluff ball before placing him on her lap
‘He will take care of you until I’m back. If I go now, I’ll get back before dark. It’s a bit of a drive.’
Rose watched him change into jeans and a shirt silently. He seemed as uptight as she was, and when he finally slipped on some boots and grabbed his mobile phone, he stopped and looked at her. A million emotions ran through her, yet none were visible on her face.
‘Don’t worry, Rose. Nothing can ever take you away from me again... I’ll never let it happen... I promise!’ He scooped down, planting soft short kisses across her face, bordering on a funny game as she started batting them off her eyelids, ear and nose before turning and leaving. Leaving her unable to breathe from laughing.
‘Rob!’
He paused by the door, leaning back to look at her, his eyebrows raised questioningly. The half-smile still on his face from his teasing her.
‘I will be at the cottage. No point milling about here feeling useless. I feel better down there when you’re not here.’ She smiled, eyes trying to devour every detail of him as though he wasn’t coming back. She knew she was being stupid, but the anxiety growing inside was stubborn.
‘Okay, baby. I’ll come there when I’m done. Keep the bed warm for me.’ He winked and blew her a kiss before disappearing. Despite his jocular manner, she had seen the storm brewing in his eyes. The stress strained across his brow, leaving her feeling uptight, anxious, and extremely nauseous.