Page 43 of The Guardian

Michael’s laughter echoed from the hallway.

I heard the door slam and rose up out of my blanket hiding.

Henry stalked across the room and stood at the end of the bed to stare down at me. “I am sorry about that.”

“He is funny, no?” I teased him.

“Hell no.” Henry scoffed. “He only believes he is.”

“Si, but he is right. You and he haven’t sat down and just talked.”

“We are blokes, what would we talk about?”

“You could ask him about his wife,” I suggested as I rose up and tucked the sheet around me.

“Fine, then what?”

I paused and stared at him. “Henry, I lost my brother,” I told him softly. “I cannot visit with him anymore. You came here and your brother just wants to see you.”

Henry lowered his head then raised it to look at me. His green eyes held a serious look. “I’m sorry. I know you are right.”

I laughed. “Women are always right, bloke.” I bent down to grab my scattered clothes from the floor.

“Wait darling, I will get them for you.” He knelt and picked up my blouse. Pausing, he stared at my bare feet. Then his gaze slowly roamed up to my legs, over my torso and finally to my face.

“What is wrong?” I asked in concern.

“Wrong?” he repeated. “No, sweet angel. Everything is just right. You are just so damned beautiful in that sheet that it struck me all over again how lucky I am to be with you.”

I blinked at him in surprise, then I shook my head as I scoffed. “Non essere pazzo. You are just crazy, Henry.”

Henry stood and handed me my pants. “Maya, there is no way that you do not know how freakin’ hot you are!”

I laughed as I looked around for my underwear and bra. “I am not even as pretty as any of the women in this house.”

He stepped closer and had my undergarments in his hand.

I stopped to stare at him again.

Slowly raising my underwear up, he pressed his nose into the silky garment and took a deep breath. “Your scent is addictive to me. Your beautiful face is something I wish to see every morning when I wake up. And I want to be able to kiss your luscious lips each night until I take my last breath.”

All I could do was stare at him. Was he serious? No one had ever said such things to me. I shook my head. “Pazzo.”

Nodding, he handed my underwear and bra to me. “I am crazy over you, Maya. Maybe someday soon you will get it.” Leaning in, he gently kissed my cheek and pulled back. “I cannot kiss your lips because if I do…We will never leave this room.” He stepped away and said, “Now, where is my shirt?”

I went to the bathroom to get dressed and brush my hair. Yes, it had brushes, combs, hair clips, perfume. I opened a few drawers to see them stocked with many hygiene items for both men and women. I also knew my room would probably have the same. Maybe I was wrong when I told Henry that this was not a hotel. I snickered.

A few minutes later, we were in the elevator heading down to the main floor.

Henry took my hand in his.

He seemed to be a sweet man. I never thought this when I first met him though. I thought he was rigido e noioso, stiff and boring. Boh, was I ever wrong.

We arrived at the kitchen a few minutes later. We came here with the twins when we first arrived to this place, so at least we did not get lost in this massive house. A person needed a map.

Michael sat at the table as he smiled at us. “Have a seat.”

Rain sat next to him and he gave us a nod. “Your tea is ready, Sir Henry.” He then smiled at me as he added, “There is espresso for you, Miss Maya.”