Page 5 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

I push open the door and step inside, letting out a satisfied sigh at the crackling of the fire and the warmth that exudes from the room. It truly is a haven away from the bustle of court. And now there's an extra person in the House Rothorne apartments, I need it more than ever.

Linc looks up from his book and smiles at me as I make my way over to him. I lean in and press my lips against his, enjoying that there doesn't have to even be a moment's guilt that this has to end.

I sit down beside him on the floor and stretch out my legs. The pillows and blankets make it a cosy place to sit, and I like being able to sit so close to him.

"What's the book?" Linc asks, tapping the cover.

"I don't know," I admit. "Bella gave it to me and said it was an early wedding present, then told me not to open it."

"Curious."

"It is. She's never given me anything before, and she was very adamant about me not opening it while I was at breakfast. What do you think it'll be?"

"I've no idea. I don't know Lady Isabella," he says. "Does she have any particular interests that you know about?"

I frown. "Actually, I don't. She's only just started telling me about herself." I hope that changes as we get to know one another better.

"I guess there's only one way to find out what's inside." He taps the cover.

I nod and crack the book open. The first page is mostly filled with drawings and a few annotations and a blush rises to my cheek as I start to make sense of them. I swallow hard.

"What is it?" Linc asks, leaning over my shoulder. "Oh."

I try not to let my embarrassment show. I go back to the title page where the words The Lady's Guide To Pleasure are written in a large cursive font.

"Unexpected," Linc murmurs.

"I might have accidentally let slip that I don't know what I'm doing," I admit as I flip to the next page, realising that there are a lot more drawings than just on the first page. Including some things that I've never even thought of. "I guess she did say that it was a wedding present."

"At least we know why she didn't want you to open it while you were there," he says.

"She could have told me not to open it around you too," I murmur.

He gives me a curious look. "Why can't you open it around me?"

"I don't know, isn't it strange to?"

He shrugs. "Well, if you want me to do that to you, then we should be able to look at an instructional drawing about it." He taps his finger against a drawing of a man with his head between a woman's legs.

I swallow hard and try my best not to think about it.

"Beatrice?"

"I'm fine," I murmur, my voice coming out frustratingly squeaky. "Is it hot in here?" I pull the neckline of my dress away from my skin, but I know it's all in my head and just a reaction to the thoughts I'm having, and pulling my clothing away isn't going to make it any better.

"We can stop looking," he says, reaching out to take the book from me.

I put my hand over his to stop him. "It's fine. Just, why am I the only one affected?"

"Who said you are?" He takes my hand in his and presses it against the front of his breeches.

He's hard beneath them, which only makes me feel warmer, though in a much more pleasant way. Not really knowing what else to do, I run my fingers against his length through the fabric.

Linc groans and closes his eyes. "Maybe reading the book is a bad idea."

"No, I don't think so." My voice comes out raspy. "It was fun before Bella interrupted us."

"It was," he agrees, swallowing hard and barely looking like he can think straight.