“Don’t fear about me,” I say, however I see her mouth set in a line and her darkish eyes slender on me.

I do know Cerise and I shift uneasily in my chair. I do know this isn’t over, not by a protracted shot. She received’t cease till she realizes the reality. The issue is that I don’t suppose I’m match to be anybody’s husband.

4

MARY

I sat at my common desk within the espresso store, questioning what phrase I ought to use. Perhaps “gleaming pearl o’ the ocean”? Or perhaps that metaphor was a bit of too soppy. Perhaps “glistening pearlescent gem”? I had already used clit means too many instances on this chapter, and the readers of my lusty historic Scottish romance would count on one thing a bit of extra descriptive anyway.

I sighed and pushed away the laptop computer, reaching for my tea. I actually liked the robust, smoky taste of Russian tea, despite the fact that by now it was solely lukewarm. It was so scorching outdoors in the midst of summer season that I didn’t care. I appeared unhappily out of the window. I nonetheless felt depressed and gloomy. I had been so hopeful after I organized for a month-long keep in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. And it was attractive and inexperienced right here, with superb views of the mountains from my lodge room. I had hoped touring to Russia, someplace I had at all times dreamed of visiting, would assist me escape of my terrible author’s block.

However regardless of what number of mountain hikes I took or cups of tea I drank, my be-penised Scottish lord and his be-bosomed governess remained as obstinate of their refusal to come back collectively as they’d after I was writing within the US. Their chemistry was like an oil soup, and so they slipped aside like a pair of oysters.

I suppose it wasn’t too stunning. Though I had been reasonably profitable with my collection of Scottish lords and the large weapons they have been packing beneath their kilts, my pen title of Cordelia Wychwood was a lie. There was nothing remotely romantic or thrilling about me. I had at all times been plain Mary MacDonald, bouncing round foster houses till I aged out of the system. I by no means had sufficient cash for school, so I labored at a collection of strange and ill-fitting jobs till I had a bit of success with my e book The Scottish Lord’s Monstrous Secret.

Now, at 27 years outdated, I used to be tall and red-headed and plain, with pale freckled pores and skin and no curves. Even worse, I used to be shy and awkward, with a little bit of a stutter that I had labored laborious on. Worst of all, I used to be nonetheless a virgin. I had by no means had a lot male consideration. Not just like the characters in my books. I allow them to get every kind of motion. Not simply from one Scottish lord, both. Motion from the lord, the lord’s manservants, the lord’s brothers, the lord’s sisters, the Loch Ness Monster. I envied them.

On daily basis I got here to this espresso store to write down and no person paid me any consideration.

However I used to be starting to fret that I used to be too despondent, too depressed, that my capacity to write down would by no means come again as a result of I had given up on romance myself.

I slid my eyes sideways to a person who was seated on the espresso store desk beside me. He seemed to be in his 20s, studying a newspaper as he sipped his tea. He had thick darkish hair and was wearing a neat blue go well with. His face wasn’t precisely good-looking, however he appeared good.

I needed to do one thing to interrupt out of my rut. I by no means talked to males. Particularly not ones I didn’t know. And particularly not ones who have been form of cute.

However I cleared my throat earlier than my nerves may get the higher of me, reached out, and tapped him gently on the shoulder.

“Excuse me, sir,” I requested. “I’m a customer right here. Have you learnt of any good eating places?”

“Huh?” he requested sharply, and I noticed in horror that he’d had ear buds on the entire time.

I repeated my query, feeling very silly.

“I do not know,” he stated, giving me a sideways look. “Strive Google.”

He gave me a wierd look, as if I had dedicated some unspeakable social fake pas. Then, as he packed up his briefcase and left, I noticed that it might need by accident seemed like I used to be asking him out on a date.

I turned again to my tea, my cheeks flaring with embarrassment.

Yep. I used to be formally giving up on romance.

5

CERISE

My husband was leaving me this morning, solely planning to be gone for the day together with his father and about half of the lads of the Bratva. However, just like the psychotic tyrant he’s, he doesn’t like his management of me to slide for even one second. It tears and eats at him having to be away from me. However typically he has to do it anyway.

“Be good,” he stated, capturing my face together with his large hand and giving me a tough kiss.

“Aren’t I at all times?” I retorted, my lips stinging.

“Hardly,” he stated, wanting again at me with a darkish blue look. “I’m too gentle with you.”

“Why, you—“I started, reaching ahead to tear at his good blonde hair, however he captured my hand simply, trapping it towards the wall and laughing.

“Claws in,” he stated, after which he circled and left, and I may hear his laughter all down the hallway.

Asshole, I believed, however my coronary heart was beating quicker as I watched these lengthy legs go down the corridor.

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