Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Her scent was driving him fucking insane. Phillip swallowed and exhaled slowly through his mouth. To his ears, it was loud and sounded like a hiss, but she didn’t move aside from continuing to make her succinct, perfect strokes on the paper.

As she worked, he kept his mouth clamped shut because this woman rattled him. Unlike any of the women from his past—mistresses, young chits at parties looking for a husband, whores, or wives trying to cuckold their husbands, this woman, Fyre, had him tongue-tied.

Her own musk combined with a light floral scent was playing havoc with his body. The wild curls she had yanked back into a serviceable braid had him longing to release them. He’d seen it down the day in the store, when she’d had her hair drawn behind her loosely. Not like today, where he wondered if she had a headache it was such a tight braid.

Although it was no easy feat, he kept his gaze glued to the book he held in his lap. He stared so long at the page the numbers and symbols all blurred, and when someone cleared their throat across from him he looked up with a glare, not liking that he’d been interrupted. Nor that he’d been off guard.

“What?”

His butler stood there, expression blank.

“Miss Asherford is here to see you.”

Exactly the type of woman he’d left behind in England. He should have known that no matter where he ended up, there would be some like her though.

“Tell her I am not available and she can make an appointment for tomorrow at ten. I can see her then.”

His butler gave a nod even as his disapproving glance slid to the woman on the furniture beside him and back. So fast he may have imagined it, but he didn’t think so.

“Something you would like to add, Keating?”

“No, my lord. I shall inform her.” A bow and he left as silently as he’d arrived.

Then again, he may have knocked and I just did not hear him because I am so focused on keeping my hands off the woman beside me.

“Here you are, my lord.”

He angled his head to the right and found Fyre holding out a sheet. Taking it, he realized she’d handed it to him so he could read it, not so it faced her.

Neat, tight lettering. Easy to read, just like it was in his book. Had he any lingering doubt that this woman had been keeping his books, that would have been banished.

Scanning the page, he understood it all with ease.

“Thank you.”

Fyre started to pack up her bag and he furrowed his brow as he watched her. “What are you doing?”

“Was there something else you needed, my lord?”

So much that he couldn’t say to her at the moment. But soon, otherwise he would have the most uncomfortable set of balls on the island.

“Are we finished?”

Concern flashed over her face and he kicked himself mentally for scaring her.

“I mean, I asked you here to help me figure this out. You gave me a sheet and seem to be running away.” He rested his arms on his thighs. “Are you scared? Or did you think that once I had your key I would no longer require your services?”

“I thought you no longer required my services.”

He admired her refusal to admit to her fear. Phillip crooked a finger at her. She didn’t refuse him but he could see suspicion and walls flying up with each step that brought her closer. Hell, the knuckles on her hand holding the bag were nearly white.

“Sit back down,” he said in a calm tone. “We still have books to go over and I want to make sure I am still on your schedule to stop by and keep them. We mentioned daily.”

It killed him to see her breathe a bit easier as she moved away from him. Could he have been mistaken and she wasn’t attracted to him? He didn’t think so, but he also didn’t force women.

Slow down and take it a day at a time.

As she sat beside him once more, he struggled to hide his smile. “Do you have a schedule that shows when you are free? Or could you tell me?”

Fyre flicked the tip of her tongue along those full lips. He bit back a lustful groan and did his best to stay in his seat.

“I am sure that your schedule is fuller than mine, my lord. If you can tell me when you have time, I will let you know what would work.”

An unexpected chuckle left him, shocking not just her but also himself. Giving in to his overwhelming need to touch her, he reached out and tipped her chin up so they could see each other’s eyes.

“We can go back and forth about this all day, Fyre. I know you are used to people abusing their station. And I would be nothing but a liar if I said I had never done that before. I have. Not a part of my life I am proud of, but it did happen. It is not happening now. I am not trying to lure you into any kind of trap.”

A lie. I want to trap her. Above me. Beneath me.

He felt the loss deep in his soul when he removed his fingers from her chin. Who knew simply removing a touch from this woman could create such a vacancy within him? She didn’t look away though, and he was pleased by that.

When she gave a tiny nod and reached for her bag once more, he figured he’d made headway. Perhaps a victory.

A short-lived one. When he stared at the schedule she opened, he had to look a few times, making sure he wasn’t imagining anything. This woman was jam packed. Sunrise to sundown she had places to be.

The thing that got to him the most was that one more than one of those days, her last spot for her day was with none other than Albie Caulfield. Jealousy rose within him like wildfire and he had to bite his tongue to keep his demands to himself.

I think I know now how Lucien felt about Ciara.

Did he want to push? Fuck yes.

“I have to tell you, end of the day would be the best for me. I do tend to have meetings and things during the day.” The struggle to keep his voice calm and not the arrogant way it typically was when he was refused, was great.

Phillip expected trouble and pushback. He didn’t get anything more than her reaching out for the book that had her month on its pages.

“What days of the week would be best for you, my lord? Or were you serious about daily?”

Fuck yes, I am serious. He thought about the three days that Albie had. So he gave Fyre four.

Her jaw clenched ever so lightly but she didn’t refuse.

“And the time that is best for you?”

That was easy enough. The time he gave was the hour after Albie had her. No way this woman was heading home to end her day after being with Albie. Phillip planned on being the last man she thought about before bed. Give him long enough and he would be the first one she thought of in the morning as well.

Her head remained bowed as she worked on the paper in her lap. Phillip took the time to study her. Was she beautiful? Of course she was, but it was more than that. She had this elegance she carried herself with that was such an intoxicating lure to him. Even that didn’t completely explain what it was about her, and he wasn’t capable enough to put it into words. All he knew was with this woman, well, special seemed to be too tame of a word.

Until he’d come to this island—and more specifically, Hawk’s Cove—to help Trace, where he’d changed his self-centered asshole attitude, he’d still sought out the same type of woman. Shallow. Vapid. In it for the pleasure and money or baubles he could give her.

But here, on this small island, was this woman, Fyre. Aptly named, for she shone bright and caught the eye of those who saw her. Not to mention she burned him, in an incredible way, when she allowed him in to see her true personality—and he had no doubt she could do more, if she let someone close. He wanted to be close enough for that heat to stream all over him.

“Very good, my lord. I have you down for those four days at that time.”

“Thank you.”

She reached for her items and began repacking her bag.

Phillip didn’t want her to go but he had no reason to keep her there longer. She’d given him the sheet he had requested and had put him down on her schedule. Rising when she did, he touched her arm.

Fyre turned to glance at him. “Yes, my lord? Did I make a mistake that you had more to go over now?” She licked her lips. “Or are you good with the key I gave you and we can save any questions you may have for the next time I am here?”

Was it wrong to lie just to keep her around? Yes. Did he want to do it anyway? Hell yes. But this wasn’t about him and his base needs. “I will have someone take you home.”

She pulled back ever so slightly. “Not necessary, my lord, but thank you.”

He shook his head and grinned. “I was not asking for your permission. I was informing you that it is going to happen. Either you allow me to do that, or I will accompany you.”

Her pulse kicked up on the side of her neck. “A ride is not necessary, my lord. I am sure your people have more important things to do than see me home.”

“Keating,” he called out.

“My lord?”

“Have a carriage brought around. I need a maid and a footman to take Ms. Fyre home.”

“Very good, my lord.”

He looked back down at her. “All taken care of. It is dangerous for you to walk alone.”

A spark flashed in her eyes but all she did was smile and curtsey. “Thank you, my lord. I will see you in two days.” She turned and walked out, leaving him alone and hard as stone.

Two days of hell before he got to see her again. Instead of following to make sure that she left okay, he retreated to his study and closed the door. Back against the wood, he freed himself from his breeches. Phillip hissed in a mixture of relief and need as he stroked his hard cock. He’d not been this desperate for relief in a long time, but since he had started interacting with Fyre, this state had become more common.

* * * *

Fyre dumped the water and allowed the bucket to fall to the damp ground as she glanced back to the open door of her new place. The one she’d just finished cleaning the floor of. Standing tall, she pressed the heel of her palm to her lower back as she tried to work out the kink there. It only worked a little bit.

Her first night in her new place had been both a blessing and nerve-wracking. While she was grateful for the quiet, it would take some getting used to, she believed. But she’d woken early and just lain in bed for a few moments. There hadn’t been anyone else to get up and cook for. Or clean up after.

She grinned and turned in a small circle, head back as she just enjoyed being by herself. Georges had been paid for three months and Fyre had gone shopping for staples earlier in the morning. She’d spent the rest of her time so far this day getting settled in.

The space wasn’t big, but for the time being, it was all hers.

While she wasn’t the best at sewing, she could wield a needle. She’d made herself a table covering and had put some fabric up in the windows to keep out some light and so that if anyone happened to be going by, they couldn’t necessarily see inside to what she was doing.

I wonder if Phillip would like my place?

Resting her shoulder against the window, she hugged herself as she stared out across the vast green she saw.

Phillip. Lord Edais. The Earl of Edais.

A man she had no place thinking about much less calling by his first name. Even the simple act of conjuring up his name caused her to get warm all over. A small smile graced her lips as she thought about the four days a week she would be able to spend with him.

There was something about the way he looked at her, touched her, and overall made her feel. An emotion she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, ever tell her brother about because he wouldn’t understand.

I know nothing can come of us. But I am allowed to dream and think about whomever I wish. Not even my brother can take that away from me.

Knock. Knock.

The reorientation from her imagination to reality was a rough one but she put a smile on her face anyway and walked to the door. Opening it to find her brother there, she stepped back and let him in. His frown didn’t bode well for this being a pleasant conversation.

“Can I get you something to eat or drink, Elonne?”

“I do not like the idea of you living here.” He ripped his hat off his head and dropped it on the floor.

“One, pick up your hat, this is not your house. Two, I am fine. I have both Marta and Georges keeping an eye on me.”

“What happens when the single men in town find out you’re living by yourself? Even some married ones who think they have a right to force themselves on a woman. Especially a dark woman.”

She cut him a piece of bread and a small piece of cheese then took them to him. After he picked up his hat, he sat at her table and picked at them both.

Most people already know because no one here knows how to keep their mouth shut.

“I will be okay, Elonne. I can do this. I am happy, and while I love you and your kids, I am so excited to be on my own.” She reached over and pinched off a piece of bread, popping it in her mouth.

“I am going to check on you every day. Nothing you can do to stop that.”

“I expect nothing but that from you. You are my big brother. You cannot help but want to protect me.”

“Always, Fyre. I will always protect you.”

“Just as I will always love you for it. Even if you are a bit overbearing at times.”

He flicked the end of her nose just as he had when they were kids and he’d tried to get her to think about anything other than her empty stomach or the fact that they were on their own.

“How does your schedule look for the month?”

She held up a finger before pushing away from the table and heading off to get her papers. When she walked back in, she couldn’t help but notice her brother had inhaled the rest of his food. Without slowing, she went to get him more bread and cheese to partake of.

“My schedule is full. I took off the accounts that you typically do so those are all yours again.”

“Are you going to have enough work?”

“More than. I have the stores I also work at as well as Albie, and I have Lord Edais on the schedule.”

Her brother stilled. “He continues to want you to do his books? And I thought I told you to tell Mr. Caulfield no.”

“Yes. And you cannot tell me who I can and cannot work for.”

Elonne shook his head. “No. That is not safe. Mr. Caulfield will not respect you.”

“I was not asking you for permission, brother. Lord Edais asked me to continue working for him and I intend to do just that.”

“I have seen the way he looks at you. No, I forbid it.”

She yanked the bread and cheese away from him. “You forbid it? Like I am a child in need of discipline?” Honestly, she wasn’t sure which of the two men he was going on about, maybe both. Didn’t matter, she wasn’t giving up her livelihood.

His dark gaze shot sparks as he glared across the small space at her. “I. Forbid. It. No more discussion on the matter. I will speak with him and inform him you have other obligations.”

“You will do no such thing. I was with him yesterday and we just went over the dates and times for me to come do the work. Do not make this any more unpleasant, Elonne. I am living on my own and will survive, but I cannot do that if I turn down work.”

“So move back home.”

“That is your home, not mine. Besides, I do not like your wife. Cara and I do not get along and we both know you see it.”

He grimaced and skimmed his hands over his head. “She is the mother of my children.”

Opinions differed on that between them for sure, but she kept hers private. Unable to comment politely on his statement, she shrugged.

He frowned.

“It is not safe for you here.”

“Elonne, I love you, but I do not need your permission to live here. I have work and I have a home to call my own. You are always welcome to swing by and check on me but you should focus on your family.”

He stepped closer and gripped both her wrists. “You, you, are my family.”

Her anger vanished. After all, who was she to be mad that her only living relative was showing concern for her?

Giving him a smile, she nodded. “I love you too, Elonne. I want to do this. I can do this and I will be safe. As I said previously, Marta and Georges will keep an eye on me also.”

His frown told her everything. He didn’t trust them. But then, Elonne didn’t trust anyone outside of a very small circle. Some of the men he worked the fields with. But the few people he did books for, they were strictly business.

“I worry.” He stepped back and crossed his arms.

“Nothing has changed other than where I lay my head at night. I have the same work, will be around the same people.”

“It was fine until that earl started showing interest in you.” A deeper scowl. “And you agreed to work for Mr. Caulfield.”

Fyre struggled not to expose her brother to how just thinking about the earl affected her—a most difficult feat to be sure. Her body responded like she was close to Phillip.

I should not think of him in such a familiar manner. It is not proper.

Didn’t stop her thoughts or dreams. Perhaps fantasies would be a better description.

“You wish for me to tell an earl no, that I will not continue doing for him what I have been doing for months? And because my brother sees it as an issue? When it was not one before?”

Elonne flatted his lips in displeasure. “You are getting impertinent.”

“Reprimands aside, brother, it would be foolish for me to turn down money. If that is your concern, I am happy to tell him that my brother needs to take over. But I will not allow you to put me in a difficult financial place purely because you want to control me.”

“You are a lone female.”

“I am aware of that.” She shook her head and held up her hands in silent surrender. “My life, Elonne. Mine.”

He narrowed his eyes at her then stomped out of her place, slamming the door behind himself.

Waiting to make sure he wouldn’t just fly back in, she finally cleaned up the food from the table then got back to what she’d been doing—making this place her own.

As she unfolded the quilt for her bed, she smiled and thought about Phillip. Would he like it?

Better yet, would he be gentle as a lover or would he push her to the edge until she cried out for release? Her body trembled and she bit her lower lip as she realized she desperately wanted to find out.