An Inconvenient Arrangement

Chapter 28: Sylvie

"No. Please, I don't know anything!"

Sylvia jolted awake as Rafe thrashed on the bed, gentle early morning light seeping in through the windows offering a jarring contrast to the pain that was twisting his mouth. He was panting, trembling, his face completely ashen.

He thrashed again, his knee hitting Sylvie's hip as she stifled a cry of pain. She leaped out of the bed and hurried to the door, twisting the key in the lock before it was time for the maid to come in and set the fire. Though it appeared that dawn had just broken and there was still an hour or so before the staff would be awake, Sylvie did not want to risk someone walking in to find him in her bed. When she turned back, she found him sitting up, his hands covering his face as he took in large gasps of air. As she walked closer she saw that his hands trembled and she wrestled with her instincts to go touch him, hold him, anything to get him to stop looking so defeated. But she dared not, remembering how violently he had reacted when she had tried to rouse him at the inn. She did not fear that he would hurt her, that was simply an impossibility, but she feared that she may startle him and somehow make it worse for him.

"Rafe?" She called out hesitantly when he did not react to her approach. He let out of soft curse and propelled himself off the bed, his face twisted into an unpleasant expression of frustration.

"I do not know why I thought-" he broke off with another frustrated curse as he fumbled while retrieving his coat from where he had tossed it and closed his eyes, breathing to collect himself. Then, her feet were moving, taking her to him until her arms had slipped around his waist and her head was resting against his shoulder. His heart thudded away where their chests met as he froze for a moment before returning her embrace so fiercely, Sylvie couldn't breathe.

"Where are you going?" She whispered once he had loosened his grip somewhat.

"Home. Or to work."

"But you've barely slept a few hours."

"Well, I highly doubt I'll get any more sleep now, best be productive, hmm?"

"Don't go," she lifted her head off his shoulder and pressed her lips to his cheek. "Come back to bed."

A shiver ran through him as his gaze turned molten, his hand settled at her hip and his fingers dug into her skin through her nightgown. Goose bumps broke out all over her arms at the predatory smile he flashed her.

"Oh? I must tell you right now, Sylvie, I am a little groggy and have no defense against your seduction, as unpracticed as it is. Have your wicked way with me, then, if you are so desperate."

"You know what I meant," she swatted at his chest in feigned annoyance. "You need to rest."

"Sylvie, the staff will be up within the hour," he bumped her nose with his finger, his smile turning tender. "I should go."

"I locked the room," Sylvie replied in a hushed whisper. "I think I can get away with it just this once, I will just say I had a terrible headache and didn't wish to be disturbed."

She took his hand and began tugging him back to the large bed, and he came along with not too much resistance.

"Good heavens, Sylvie! Locking the room? When did you turn into such a practiced ravisher of innocents?"

"If you're an innocent, I am the Queen," she deadpanned and he barked out a laugh.

"The room will be cold if the maid doesn't come in to refresh the fire," he said halfheartedly as he allowed her to push him back into the bed. He observed her with half-lidded eyes, a lazy sort of amusement glinting in his eyes. It was a look that excited her but made her apprehensive at the same time. He was just so much more experienced than her she feared that she would appear silly and foolish. But it also made her want to be bold.