Chapter Eight

He had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as her face turned a bright red. He knew what she was thinking, and he found her innocence so charming.

He finished his glass of wine and refilled it before topping hers off.

"I'd like to watch a movie before bedtime, Pet."

"I'd like that."

"I'll let you choose it as long as it's not a chick flick," he said and grinned.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine."

"I want to kiss you in the worst way, but I'm afraid it will get out of control, and I don't want our first time to be here. I want us in our bed."

He reached out to grab onto her glass when she started to shake.

"Easy, Pet. I won't do anything until you're ready. Okay?"

She nodded. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course," he said. "There is nothing you can't ask me."

"How did you know I was normal?"

"When you woke up from being drugged, you sounded like a normal woman. I could tell your intelligence was higher than you wanted me to believe. So, when you started acting, it was obvious to me that it was an act."

"I'm sorry if I deceived you," she murmured.

"I understand. You had no idea about the situation, and you were trying to protect yourself."

"So, you are pleased?" she asked.

"I would have taken you either way, but yes. I'm very pleased you are not permanently damaged."

"I wonder what my father will do when he finds out I've deceived him all these years."

"He doesn't have to know."

"Won't your father tell him?" she asked.

"We won't tell anyone. Just the two of us will know. My father is not very observant, so I doubt he'll catch on."

"Okay."

"I have some more work to take care of. Is there anything you'd like to do?"

"Not really. I'm fine reading."

"I've got plenty of books to choose from."

He handed her a tart. "Try one of these. They are some of my favorites."

His taste buds came alive at the first bite of the sweet and tart taste. He could tell by the smile on her face that she liked them, too.

When they finished, he packed up everything and stood, holding a hand out to her. Without hesitating, she reached for him. Instead of releasing her, he tightened his grip and pulled her snugly against his body. He tilted her head back before lowering his head. The first touch of their lips sent a current of desire down his body.

He had no idea how long they kissed and only stopped when he heard her moan. Roland stared down at her lovely face and smiled. Her face was rosy with desire, and her eyes closed. He waited for her to look at him and then smiled gently.

"I think you like my kisses," he murmured.

He bit back a groan when her tongue peeked out and slid over her lips, tasting him.

"I'll give you all the kisses you want, Pet."

He could tell she was embarrassed, but she still nodded.

"Let me get some work done, and then we'll have dinner and maybe watch a movie before bed."

"I'd like that," she said.

Roland gathered up the basket and blanket before taking her hand and leading her back to the house.

After dropping off the things, they both thanked Betsy and walked down the hall to his office.

"Pick whatever you want."

She nodded and checked out one of the shelves. She'd take one down, read the back of the cover, and then put it back.

He looked up a few minutes later when she called out his name.

"If it's all right, I'll take this up to the bedroom."

"That's fine, Pet. I'll come and get you when dinner is ready."

Roland watched her walk out and almost called her back. He didn't like her to be out of his sight. His protective instincts were intense, considering his involvement in the Good Knight Society, but with her, they ran deeper.

He went over several coded emails from the Society. The group made sure they did everything they could to keep them from being discovered with encrypted emails, rooms where they couldn't be heard, and they never talked about anything out in the open, no matter what or where it was.

When Roland looked up, he noticed the clock and realized how much time had passed. He closed his computer, turned off the lights, and made his way to the stairs. He was on the second step when he heard Laila's voice in the kitchen.

He stopped right outside the room so he could see and listen but stayed out of sight. He grinned when the women started laughing. He could tell they'd already become friends, and he was pleased. He'd do anything he could do to make Laila's life better.

He stepped into the kitchen. "Are you two messing around, because I'm hungry?"

The women looked at each other and burst into laughter again.

"It's ready," Betsy said. "Go on into the dining room, and I'll bring the plates in. Your father said he'd eat with you."

Roland almost rolled his eyes. The intimate dinner he'd been looking for was out of the question now. He reached for Laila's hand and tugged her into the other room. He sat at one end of the table and placed her on his right. When his father walked in, he took the other end. Although the table was long, they could still talk easily without yelling to be heard.

"There's my beautiful daughter-in-law," his father said.

She smiled. "Thank you."

Roland could tell she was nervous being around his father, so she barely talked. Roland kept the conversation going to prevent his father from asking her a lot of questions.

"So, how are the newlyweds?"

"We're fine, Father. Just getting to know each other," Roland said.

"It takes time," Walter said.

"We know," Roland said.

When the dinner was finished, he stood and helped her to her feet. "We're going to watch a movie in our room before we go to bed, so we'll see you in the morning."

Walter nodded. "Very good. Sleep well."

Roland wrapped an arm around Laila's waist and led her up the stairs and into their room.

"Why don't you take a shower and get into your nightgown? That way, you can go right to sleep after the movie."

"All right."

He watched her go into the bathroom and close the door. That was something that would change when she finally got comfortable. He wouldn't allow closed doors between them.

He decided to use another bathroom. She was coming out of the bathroom when he returned with a towel wrapped around his waist.

He was very pleased when he caught the desire in her eyes as they scanned over him. He stayed still, giving her time to look at him. When she looked up, he smiled when she blushed. "Let me get dressed, and I'll be right out."

Laila nodded and scrambled onto the bed. She was tucked under the covers with her back to the headboard when he walked in. After brushing his teeth, he set his phone to charge and slid into bed. He reached for the remote control.

"Anything special you want to watch, Pet?"

She shook her head. "No. I don't like scary movies, though."

"That's good to know." He scanned over the channels until he came to a suspense movie they both wanted to see. He lowered the volume a bit, relaxed back against the stack of pillows, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bringing her close to his side.

He didn't say anything, relaxed, and concentrated on the movie, although he was aware of every breath she took. He was pleased when she finally relaxed against him and even moved herself closer.

Although it was hard not to tuck her under him and make her his, just holding her helped. They had plenty of time, and he didn't want to push her.

But damn, he hoped he wouldn't have to wait too long. His cock had never been this hard.