Chapter 39

"Make love to me?" Could she? Would she dare? Of course she wouldn't. It would be... it would be ridiculous. All the magic of the moment was gone, leaving Eden mortified, disappointed.

“Not now... not in broad daylight.” Eden finally replied

Eden was blushing like a peony and could feel it. Ian must be so disappointed with her after all the partners he'd known, experts in sex games.

“Later, then?”

Ian straightened up and Eden slid awkwardly to the end of the sofa. Ian did nothing to hide the Bulge, under his riding breeches.

Eden looked away. She had to answer him, because disaster was bound to strike, sooner or later.

“Tonight.”

“Tonight, fine.”

It sounded like they were discussing whether or not there would be beef for dinner.

Was Ian caught up in good manners, or was he hiding his anger and frustration? Eden thought about Ian’s calm. 

There was a silence during which Eden stared into space, unsure of what to say. 

Confused emotions were fighting inside her . Most of them urged her to seek refuge in Ian’s arms.

“What were you doing in this little salon anyway?” Ian asked, crossing his legs. “I'd think you'd be starting work on your bedroom…”

Eden allowed herself to look at him again.

“This old boudoir would be ideal for a child's bedroom.”

Eden thought that she would have a little more time to present it to him, and her fears were confirmed when he saw Ian raise his eyebrows.

“We could have a door drilled to connect with my boudoir, and there's a small room next door where the nanny could stay.”

“But you'll never have any peace” Ian says.

“Yes, I will. The nurse will be there, and my boudoir separates my bedroom from this room.”

“Well, as you wish.”

He'd agreed so quickly that Eden was stunned she expected she would have to argue a bit more about it.

“But wait until the pregnancy is official before you start drilling holes in the wall.”

“Of course, of course! Thank you, Ian”

In response, Ian made a vague gesture, and for a moment, Eden thought she saw shame in his eyes. 

A second later, the strange glint had already disappeared. Her alpha was so good at hiding his emotions!

Ian had such spontaneity and vivacity about her that Eden wondered if she was still at home in high society. Eden imagined him naked to the waist, boxing or parrying a foil attack, and swallowed hard.

“I have to go,” Ian said after a while.

His voice deepened, and a shiver ran down Eden’s spine.

“I'm already excited about meeting you for dinner... and the rest.”