Chapter Seven

When Laila woke the next morning, it was to find Roland's side of the bed empty and cold.

She couldn't understand the desolate feelings because he was gone. It was better this way. She had time to shower and dress before seeing him, and it would give her the much-needed time to evaluate her feelings.

Laila showered, blow-dried her hair, and put on a summer dress she loved. She slipped on sandals and made the bed before walking out of the room and down the stairs.

At the bottom, she looked toward Roland's office to see the door open but then turned to the kitchen because she didn't know what to do. She walked to his office and looked in to see him writing something on his desk. Not wanting to disturb him, she turned to go.

"Laila."

She turned to look at him and tried to smile. "Good morning. I'm sorry to disturb you. I didn't know what you wanted me to do."

Roland sat back in his chair. "Come in, close the door, and come over here."

She did what he asked without question.

She noticed that even sitting, he was about as tall as her. It should have made her feel like a child. Instead, it just made her feel feminine.

He easily lifted her and placed her across his lap. Laila stared up at him and waited.

"How did you sleep, Pet?"

"Very well, thank you. Probably better than I have in years."

He nodded and swept the hair from her face. "Every morning, I want you to come see me and give me a good- morning kiss."

"What if the door's closed?"

"Then knock."

"All right," she said.

He cupped the side of her face, lowered his head, and pressed his lips against hers. A burst of molten fire rushed through her, making her nipples tighten, and her cunt convulse with desire. A moan slipped from her when his tongue penetrated her mouth. The sensation sent her body's need higher.

Her arms crept around his neck, and she kissed him back. She wanted to taste him and imprint this feeling into her mind. She almost cried out when he raised his head. They stared at each other for a moment before he exhaled.

"Good morning, Pet."

"Hi."

"I have a surprise for you."

Excitement rushed through her. "Really?"

"Yes. We are going on a picnic today."

"Where?"

He chuckled. "That's the surprise. I want you to eat a light breakfast, and we'll leave in two hours."

She couldn't help the smile that bloomed. The excitement of a surprise was something she'd never had before. After her mother passed, she never celebrated her birthday or holidays.

"Do you want me to come back here?"

He nodded. "Yes. I'll get a little more work done so I can spend some time with you."

He lifted her off his lap. "Go on. I'll see you soon."

Laila smiled and walked out of the office. In the kitchen, she spent several minutes talking with Betsy and eating a small bowl of fruit.

"Is it okay if I go look out in the backyard?" she asked.

Betsy looked surprised. "Of course it is. There's a tall wall around the estate, so you are safe."

"Thank you."

Laila stepped out the door and looked around. The place was a wonderland of colors and textures. Bushes, trees, and flowers covered every inch of the area except for the stone pathways.

The garden was bigger than she expected, and she didn't stop walking down a certain path until she hit the tall stone wall.

When she got back to the house, Roland was standing in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest.

Laila stopped at the stern look on his face. "Am I in trouble?"

"I'm not sure. You were supposed to come to the office."

"Yes. I was headed there now," she said.

"Did you realize you're thirty minutes late?"

Her mouth dropped open. How had so much time passed so quickly? "I'm sorry. I lost track of time."

"I was concerned when I couldn't find you."

"Betsy knew I was out in the garden," she told him.

"Yes, but it's a huge garden and goes on for a few miles."

Laila glanced away and then went back to him. "I'll stay closer to the house from now on."

"It would make me feel better, Pet. I know we have the high stone walls, but you could still get hurt."

"How?"

His scowl deepened. "Don't question me, Pet. I have told you to stay close."

She felt disappointed but tried to hide it. "As you wish."

One of his brows spiked, but he didn't say anything right away. He finally held out his hand. "Come with me."

She took his hand and let him lead her into the kitchen. She caught sight of the picnic basket on the counter. Roland picked it up without releasing her hand.

"We'll be by the pond, and I have my phone with me," he told Betsy.

"Have fun," Betsy said and smiled.

Once back outside, Roland led her down a different path. They didn't go far when a small pond came into view. A smile crossed her face when she saw the waterfall at one end. She stood at the edge and saw the colorful fish in the clear water.

"This is wonderful," she said and turned to him.

He nodded. "It's one of my favorite places. The sound of the water always calms me."

"Thank you for bringing me here."

He spread the thick blanket down, knelt, and held out a hand. "Come here, Pet. I hope you're hungry. Betsy outdid herself."

Laila sat and tucked her legs to the side before smoothing her dress out. Her stomach growled when he started to pull a plate of small sandwiches, fruit, cheese, and tarts from the basket and set it between them. He handed her a plate before unwrapping each dish. Roland put several things on her plate before filling his own.

"Do you like wine?" he asked.

She swallowed the piece of cheese. "Yes."

He brought out two glasses and a bottle, which had already been opened for them.

Laila took a sip of the white wine and hummed. "This is very good."

He settled on his side, bracing his upper body onto his elbow as he ate. It was a bit unnerving when his eyes never strayed from her.

She ate as much as she could before setting her plate to the side. She looked around the area, drinking her wine as she waited for him to finish eating. Laila caught sight of his movements out of the corner of her eye and turned his way. He was putting everything back into the basket except the wine and tarts.

He got comfortable again. "I would like you to tell me what damage was done from the accident you had when you were a child."

She swallowed. "Oh, well, I fell off the horse and hit my head on the hard ground. My mother said I was unconscious for a long time, and I didn't wake until I was in the hospital."

"I'm sorry that happened, Pet. You must have been very scared."

Laila nodded. "I was."

"So, whose idea was it to pretend to be brain-damaged enough that you acted like a child?"

She swallowed. She had thought about waiting a few more days, but she hadn't realized how astute her husband was.

Laila cleared her throat. "It was my mother's idea."

"Why?" he asked.

"She was afraid my father would sell me out and make me marry one of his friend's sons. My mother told me she didn't like the ones she'd met, and wanted me as far away from them as I could get. She could do only so much."

"And your father never caught on?"

She shook her head. "No. He didn't really pay attention to me unless he wanted me to meet someone."

"Did it work?"

Laila nodded. "Yes. Amazingly well. Every man he brought to meet me was turned off within minutes."

He smirked.

"You kept it up after your mother passed?"

Laila nodded. "Especially then. It was the only way I could protect myself."

"I'm curious as to why your father would send you to me. Did he not think I would send you back when I saw you act childish?"

"From what I overheard, your father owed my father and agreed to take me off his hands. I'm sorry to say you're the one it affected the most."

"And you?" he asked.

"I knew very quickly that you were a good man. The way you took care of me when I got here drugged and passed out told me a lot. You could have had a servant or hired a nurse to do it."

He shook his head. "You were mine from my first look at you. There was no way I would have trusted anyone to take care of you."

"Thank you." She could feel herself blush when she remembered he had taken off her clothing and seen her naked. Most of the emotion was embarrassment, but there was a part of her that wanted to know if he liked what he saw.

There was no way she'd ever ask him that, though.