That earned me a full-on laugh from Ivan which sounded so good coming from him, it made me laugh too. "I imagine he is, being related to you," he said, seeming much more like himself again. "It must be a family trait because you're a bit of a hardass yourself, Miss Hargreave."
"I hope that's a good thing."
"I told you earlier that I'd change nothing about you, Gabrielle, and I meant it." He took my chin in his hand and spoke very close, his green eyes flashing down at me. "Nothing at all."
I nodded up at him, feeling suddenly shy which made no sense considering everything we'd done and discussed together up to this point. It felt like we'd known each other for years and years instead of just two months.
"Come here and let me hold you." He settled in with me under the covers, tucking me right up against his big body on my side where his arm could support my head. It felt really nice being held by him, and while he was still a stranger in many ways, there wasn't a trace of awkwardness. Yes, we had lots to learn about each other still, but it was the level of solace we seemed to share with each other that made this all feel very familiar and comforting with him. We did click as Ivan had told me once. It was almost as if our bodies went through the motions on autopilot, knowing what to say, and what to ask, and when to stay quiet. Where to touch, and when to move, and when to be still. It was weird and yet felt so very normal, like we'd done this a hundred or even a thousand times before. I felt him press his lips to my hair and just keep them there.
"I really am very sorry about today."
"But it wasn't your fault, Ivan."
"Yes, but I still feel terrible about the possibility of us being caught on video. And for not anticipating Park might do something like send in a drone to breach my security. And for leaving you alone while I went out to deal with said drone. You deserved some aftercare, and I wasn't there to give it to you. What if you'd been bound securely by your hands? You would have been left there helpless. I hate that you had to get yourself out of my study all on your own. By the way, how did you manage it?"
"It wasn't that bad. I jumped up and locked the door behind you. I think I got dressed in under a minute while watching you with your bow and arrow through the window. Not even kidding. I cleaned up with tissues and a water bottle from your desk and re-braided my hair using the mirror on the wall. It wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't the worst either. I was fine, honestly. Just felt a teeny bit shocked at first, but only because I didn't know what in the hell was going on yet. I did get to meet your lovely dogs and found this gorgeous lady's chamber bedroom. I even discovered another Mallerton hanging on the wall in my sitting room tonight. It's your great, great grandmother holding a lamb and leading her horse down the path. So, soooo, beautiful I can hardly bear to look away."
"I know the feeling. But I will need to make it up to you very soon for the massive cock-up of today."
"I am very much looking forward to it," I said sleepily, the urge to yawn overwhelming as I tried to stifle it.
"I only want to show you how much it means to me having you here. We have all day tomorrow at Donadea before heading back to London on Tuesday morning. I want it to be a great day for us, so we should go to sleep now and dream all the good dreams."
"I'm so ready to have another great day with you," I said, feeling the immense pull of my eyes to close until I just couldn't keep them open any longer.
But then I heard him whispering sweet words to me in the dark.
"Thank you for being so understanding about everything and for signing my contracts, Gabrielle I. Hargreave. What does that I stand for I wonder," he murmured, probably not expecting me to answer.
"India," I said, my eyes still closed.
"Very pretty. It suits you perfectly."
I felt his lips on my hair until I couldn't stay awake for a second longer.
He was kissing me to sleep.
I was being kissed soundly to sleep…by my very own Lord Rothvale.
Chapter 13
GABRIELLE
Gabrielle,
I had to head into Belfast for some quick business with the brewery but will return shortly. Please do some exploring this morning and do ask Finnegan if you need anything at all. Maybe have a look-in at the chapel to see if it will suit for your work needs. Your bags have arrived from Hallborough, so you should have everything you require to dress for riding when I return. I cannot wait to see you on a horse, Miss Hargreave.
Yours,
Ivan xx
P.S. You are stunning in your sleep. I might have snapped a pic or five. All very tasteful though! Hope you aren't too steamed with me. Couldn't help myself—
The note he'd left for me on the pillow was written on heavy cream stationary emblazoned with a heraldic shield and engraved in black traditional font at the top:
Ivan G. Everley
Lord Rothvale XIII
Donadea, County Down, Ulster
I couldn't help studying his writing for any clues he might give me about his personality—about himself. I don't know why, it was just Ivan's own handwriting set down on paper with words of communication for me from him, but it was important to learn it and to know it for some reason. Writing was personal and intimate when carefully put down with ink onto paper. It took time and consideration in a much different way than quickly tapping out a text on a keypad. I traced over the masculine scrawl of his note with my finger. He took pictures of me when I was sleeping. The involuntary and extremely erotic shiver that came over me suddenly and with immense power almost felt like a mini orgasm. Imagining Ivan standing over me with a camera taking voyeuristic shots while I slept peacefully in his bed was...quite a wonderful feeling to wake up. I'd never been left a morning-after note by anyone before. This was one I'd be keeping for my scrapbook.
And hallelujah on the highest, my things had arrived from Hallborough. I now had clothes, my reading glasses, phone, ID, and my wallet. Man, you don't realize how important those few things are until you don't have them. My identity reduced to a bag of essential items. But this was good news. I did have my necessities now, and Ivan was right, I should have a look inside the chapel to check it out. He seemed to think it would be a great staging area for the paintings and I couldn't help feeling excited about the idea of having an ancient stone church for an "office." Who wouldn't?
As I headed into the bathroom for a shower, I realized the time was now for me to start making a semblance of a plan on how to tackle my amazing and thrilling new job.
Pinch me, please, because this has got to be a dream, right?
Unpacking my suitcase, was like a little treasure hunt in itself. I hung up my things in the wardrobe and folded the small pieces into the drawers. I'd take my bag back empty to London with me so I could bring more clothes to keep here when we returned next Thursday afternoon. I'd basically be living at Donadea for more days during the week than I would in London, so I'd need more choices than just a weekend's worth of clothes kept here.
Once my clothes were put away, I took my makeup and toiletries case into the bathroom to unpack. It was going to feel so good to have my face on properly again and the tools for styling my hair. But lying innocently on the bottom of my cosmetic tote was something important I'd forgotten about. My antibiotics.