“It’s a good thing you came back when you did,” Charlie said closing her eyes and leaning her head against his. “But I’m afraid I’m in no condition to go to the dressmaker with your sister now.”
“That’s why I came back. Imelia can’t take you today. Her children are sick.”
“Oh, you haven’t seen your aunt yet?” Charlie asked.
“Not yet.”
“I told Grayson. I hope that’s all right.”
“Jax, why don’t you put Charlie to bed and I’ll go with you,” said Grayson.
“You feel like sleeping it off, baby?”
“Very much so.”
“If you’ll excuse us for a few minutes, Gray.”
Charlie reluctantly vacated Jaxon’s lap and waited for him. He threw his arm around her shoulders and slowly they made their way to second story.
“I’m not usually such a lightweight,” she said, trying carefully not to slur her words.
“You barely touched your breakfast and that was hours ago. And that Scotch is very strong. I nearly became foxed myself just from kissing you,” he said leading her into his room. “Sleep in my room for now, baby. The other rooms aren’t made up.”
“I suppose I should be glad you have scruples. Because you could very much take advantage of my condition. I would absolutely let you have your way with me right now even with your brother downstairs waiting for you.”
He kissed her forehead. “Charlie, when we make love for the first time, you’re going to be stone cold sober because you won’t want your senses dulled with alcohol. And I’m not going to be rushed because someone is waiting on me. I’m going to take my time, so you will enjoy and savor every moment. And we are going to be alone in this house, so you won’t have to feel self-conscious that anyone else will hear us. We’re going to let the headboard bang against the wall and the bed ropes can creak and if you want to raise the rafters with your screams, so be it.”
“Stop teasing me.”
A wide smile crossed his face. It was slightly lopsided because the scar on his cheek resisted the movement. “Who’s teasing?”
“That’s a lot to live up to.”
“Have you ever known me to exaggerate?”
“Time will tell.”
“Minx. Get into bed.” He gave her another chaste kiss on the forehead. “Imelia is getting together a change of clothes for you. I’m going to pick them up on the way home.”
“Girl clothes?”
He loved seeing her get excited. “Aye, and maybe if you’re feeling more yourself when you get up, I’ll take you to the dressmaker myself.”
“Jaxon Bloodworthy, I love you. You make me so happy.”
She grabbed his lapel, pulled him toward her and kissed him in a soft, languid embrace.
“Charlie,” his voice rasped. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Jaxon sat beside his brother in the rented buggy seat. Grayson had taken the reins and Jaxon sat with his arms folded across his chest.
“I can’t believe you got her drunk.”
“I didn’t know Charlie was a girl.”
Jaxon looked at Grayson like he was insane completely ignoring the fact that he had been fooled the first time he met her. “How could you not know?”
“For starters, she wore trousers.”
“If you didn’t know she was female, why get her drunk? You were up to your old tricks.”
“I swear I wasn’t. I was trying to get him talking about why he was in your house calling you by your given name. He wasn’t being forthcoming so I thought I’d ply him with a little Scotch.”
“A little?”
Grayson’s shoulders sagged as he sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
They drove on further before Jaxon spoke again. “If you try anything with her, I promise you’ll regret it.”
Grayson didn’t turn his head. Although they were better about not fighting now that they were grown, there was still a tension between them that was never far below the surface. They both had conflicting feeling about the other one. They might love each other, but Grayson always felt the sting of rejection from Jaxon. He had tried so hard to be friends with Jaxon as they grew up, but Jaxon hated being identical and by default blamed Grayson. Eventually Gray got tired of being cast aside and did what he could to make Jaxon’s life miserable.
“When we were kids, those girls kissed me because they thought I was you. I don’t think that’ll work anymore.”
“You know that’s not the point. You knew you weren’t me.”
“And you always blamed the girls as much as you blamed me.”