Chapter 214
They used to share a room whenever they visited the old house together.
And right now, technically, she and Jonathan were still married.
Even if it was just to keep Grandpa happy, she and Jonathan shouldn’t be sleeping in separate rooms.
But the thought of sharing a bed with Jonathan again made Niamh’s skin crawl.
“Are you staying here tonight, too?” she asked softly.
Jonathan just shrugged and flashed her a lazy grin. “What, I can’t stay at my own grandfather’s house?”
“That’s not what I meant…” Niamh began, but before she could finish, Jonathan turned to Hazel.
“Hazel, could you get two rooms ready for me and Mrs. Lancaster?”
Hazel looked momentarily surprised but didn’t ask questions. She just nodded and
hurried off to follow Jonathan’s instructions.
Once Hazel was gone, Jonathan glanced at Niamh with a casual smirk. “Happy
now?”
Niamh opened her mouth, inhaling a sharp breath, but couldn’t find a reply.
Just then, Jonathan’s phone rang. He answered it right in front of her.
“Hello? Marina…”
Niamh’s eyes flicked upward.
It seemed like every time Jonathan came to the old house, Marina would call. Niamh knew perfectly well why: Marina was terrified that something might happen. between her and Jonathan under Grandpa’s watchful eye.
“No, we’re in separate rooms,” Jonathan said, glancing at Niamh with a slight, knowing smile.
Niamh watched him speak to Marina for a moment, then turned away and headed into the room Hazel had prepared.
The two guest rooms were right across from each other. Niamh’s was the one on the left.
14.57
She stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind her though she realized how unnecessary that was. Jonathan wasn’t the type to sneak in on her in the middle of the night.
With a sigh, she unlocked the door again.
She slept deeply that night–no dreams, just quiet rest.
When Niamh finally woke, she rubbed her eyes and let out a long yawn.
“Mmm…”
A low chuckle startled her, sending a shiver up her spine.
Jonathan was sitting on the edge of her bed.
Niamh usually slept naked, but whenever she stayed at the old house, she made a point of wearing pajamas. Still, her nightgown was a thin, strappy slip–hardly appropriate for company, especially since she hadn’t bothered with underwear.
Seeing the panic and embarrassment in her eyes, Jonathan deliberately let his gaze linger on the exposed skin at her neckline.
Niamh yanked the comforter higher.
Jonathan scoffed, “No need to be so dramatic. There’s nothing to see.”
She wanted to snap, “Then stop looking,” but bit her tongue.
“Did you need something?” Niamh asked, her voice tight.
“Grandpa asked me to get you. Breakfast is ready,” Jonathan replied.
“Oh… I’ll get myself together and be right out.”
She tried to get up, but Jonathan still sat there, making no move to leave.
“Could you step outside for a minute?”
“Why?”
He met her gaze, feigning innocence.
“Because I need to get dressed.”
“Am I stopping you?”
Niamh felt her cheeks burn. He was doing this on purpose.
Finally, Jonathan relented, shrugged, and got up, leaving the room.
When she came out, dressed and finally awake, she realized shed slept in it was already past ten.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at work today?” she asked offhandedly
Jonathan was always out the door early, rarely late, no matter that he was the
boss.
“I am.” He answered as he pulled out a chair for her, all chivalry. “But Grandpa asked me to stay for breakfast with you. Once we’re done, he wants to see me in his study–said there’s something he’d like to discuss.”
