Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“My fault,” Olivia said. “I was so eager to find out about the snow that I was in a rush.”
She didn’t mind that his arm lingered around her waist. She liked the feel of it. It was as if he cradled her, their bodies resting against each other’s.
“I am afraid the news isn’t good. The snowstorm worsened overnight. Blizzard conditions exist and the train has been cancelled until further notice. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will be stuck here for the winter.”
“What does it mean?” she asked anxiously.
“It depends on what follows this snowstorm. It will be a day or so before we know for sure. I suggest we take one day at a time. You can do your research and when the snow calms, I can take you to meet some of the wolves. But right now, I suggest we enjoy breakfast.”
The thought of meeting the wolves enticed Olivia. Besides, she had no other recourse. She had to make the most of her current situation and use the time wisely.
“Come,” he said, taking hold of her hand. “I am going to show you the way to the kitchen, so that you may come and go more freely in the castle.”
Olivia was about to tell him about seeing Laird but stopped. This time she intended to pay attention so she could learn how to maneuver the castle freely, as Tiernan said. He pointed out various things as landmarks to help guide her and make finding her way about that much easier. What she hadn’t expected was how his warm hand clutched firmly around hers charged her senses and tickled her passion. Never had simply holding a man’s hand flared her desire. She couldn’t even recall holding a man’s hand. Had those moments been that unmemorable or had she been that disinterested?
“I’m afraid Fay won’t be joining us due to the blizzard, so I will be your chef for the day,” Tiernan said, upon entering the kitchen. He released her hand and walked over to the teakettle on the stove and lit a flame in the burner beneath it.
He turned a smile on her. “I’m experienced at many things, Olivia, but I am afraid that a chef is not one of them. However, I am not bad at cooking scrambled eggs.”
She laughed. “We’re lucky then that I can cook.”
“Can you now?” he asked with a bit of glee.
“Something I am good at.” She smiled. “Among other things.”
Was she flirting with Laird Tiernan? She never flirted. She wasn’t even sure she knew how.
“Let’s see what’s in your fridge,” she said, wondering what was wrong with her. How many times did she need to remind herself that she wanted to work for this man?
While she cut veggies and prepared eggs for omelets, Tiernan set the table. She thought it a good time to tell him about seeing the large, black wolf.
“Aye, that is Laird,” Tiernan confirmed when she finished detailing what she had seen from her window. “He’s the alpha over all the packs and has been for a long time. Not many will challenge him, and he wisely sends those he feels can lead a pack off on their own to do so. But he retains dominance over the area.”
“I can see why. He was quite impressive.”
“Did you find anything in the library that may help you write about the sexual appetites of werewolves?” he asked.
“A strange book that might provide some ideas, all of it pure fiction.”
“The Allure of Werewolves,” Tiernan said.
“You’re familiar with the book?”
“Aye. In my search for books on wolves, I inevitably come across books on werewolves. When I heard about that particular one, I searched for it. It wasn’t an easy find, but when I want something, I don’t give up until I get it.”
“Something we have in common. I can be quite persistent when I want something,” she said, placing a teapot steeping with tea along with a plate of toast on the table. The omelets came next, and conversation nearly ceased while they ate.
“I owe you an apology, Olivia, for you having to cook your own breakfast, but I must admit that I am not sorry. This omelet is absolutely delicious.”
Olivia smiled, enjoying the compliment since she mostly cooked for herself and received little feedback except when she visited her two brothers.
“While I have you to myself—” she nearly shook her head at her poor choice of words, but it didn’t matter since he interrupted her.
“I am all yours, Olivia.”
Again, she wondered how he could make her name sound so seductive, let alone suggest he was all hers as if saying do what you will to me. Something she wouldn’t mind pursuing.
Where did that thought come from?
She recalled something she read in The Allure of Werewolves of how a werewolf had the skill to seduce a woman by just speaking her name.