More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter Fourteen

Opening her eyes was a mistake.

A big mistake.

"Ohhh..." Her head throbbed like a million little men with pickaxes were doing their best to tunnel through her brain.

She let her eyes close to quiet those little men.

For all the good it did.

Then she realized an arm lay draped in the curve of her waist.

An arm thick with muscle.

Fingers brushed her belly.

Her eyes opened again.

Ouch.

Behind her, Thorin let out a soft snore, his arm tightening about her. He pulled her against him, and whispered, "How are you feeling this morning, Arielle?"

"Don't ask..." She closed her eyes once more, a hand coming to her forehead. "Did I make a fool of myself last evening?"

"You did, but only I saw it."

"Oh, well, that's something."

A soft laugh skittered across the back of her neck. "What do you remember? You were well into your cups when I happened upon you."

"I won a bottle. Which I think I left at the pub." She bit back a groan. "And I babbled like a fool to you, didn't I?"

"I'm becoming used to that, actually." He skimmed his fingers along her belly. "And you were very flattering toward me."

"Oh no..." She took a deep breath. "What did I say?"

"You couldn't fault Miss Caisys for wanting to sleep with me, that every woman alive apparently wishes to do so as well."

Embarrassment, hot and thick, poured into her as bits and pieces of that conversation returned. "Oh, I did say that, didn't I?"

"No will ever know."

She carefully eased onto her back and peered up at him. Her stomach roiled a bit, and being flat helped some. "What else did I say?"

He propped his head on his fist. "You asked me to stay with you. You said it was too quiet here alone."

Heat stung her face. "I am so sorry."

He shook his head. "You needn't be. It will also go no further than me."

"Thank you."

"But, it better not happen again."

"It won't." She brought a hand to her forehead to rub in the hopes of quelling the little men. "I promise."

"Good. Then I should get moving."

"Where does Miss Caisys have you taking her today?"

She regretted her words instantly, when Thorin narrowed his eyes. But then, he said, "I will not be seeing her today. I've got actual work that needs my attention today."

"She will be disappointed."

"Careful, Arielle, I might think you jealous."

"Of her?" Arielle sniffed as if that was the most insane thing she'd ever heard. "Why would I be jealous of her? She's a bubblehead."

To her irritation, Thorin grinned. She slid to the edge of the bed and stood, turning to glare at him. "What is so amusing?"

"You." He also slid to the edge, but made no move to rise and she tried to ignore how rumpled he looked, for it only made him more handsome than he already was. His hair was a wild tangled of black and silver about his shoulders, his eyes were still somewhat heavy-lidded, and when he looked up at her, she'd swear the air crackled around them once more.