Love's Game

Chapter Fourteen

The sound of her door opening made her groan and she buried her face in her pillows. The man that entered was silent, but she could feel his scowl as he stared down at her. The minutes ticked by, but she refused to move. Maybe he would get the hint and leave.

"Alright that's enough moping around, it's time to get up." He growled and Lillian burrowed further against the bed spread. She still refused to look at him and could feel his anger in the air. It didn't matter though, she wasn't in the mood to leave her room unless it was to leave for home. However as Allister refused to let her leave, she chose to hide in her room instead feigning a headache. She had missed dinner last night, sending her apologies to Elena and having a suspicion that the woman knew why she was absent.

"This is growing tiresome Lily, you are not a child so stop acting like one. Let's go!" He growled and she screamed as two strong hands latched onto her ankles and dragged her across the bed. She was flipped over and glared at Allister as he scowled right back. She kicked her ankles out of his grip and crossed her arms in defiance.

"Leave me alone Ali. I am sick and need the rest."

"The hell you are. I will not be left alone for another second. Either you get your sweet ass out of bed or I'll make you." He growled while leaning on the bed towards her, their noses practically touching. She narrowed her eyes and hissed,

"You wouldn't dare."

Allister's eyes instantly lit with mischief and a wide grin spread across his face as he stared at his cousin. He chuckled low and Lillian realized her mistake. She gasped and tried to crawl across the bed to escape. Allister's hand caught her ankle again and dragged her to the edge where he was now kneeling. She gave a strangled scream as he wrapped his arms behind her knees and slung her over his shoulder.

"Allister don't!" She cried as he laughed and stood up, keeping a firm grip on her. She beat her fists against his back and cried for him to release her, that he had no right to treat her this way.

"I warned you little lamb. Besides you know I can't resist a dare from you." He knelt down and she thought for a hopeful second that he was going to release her. Nope, he grabbed the satchel that she recognized as holding her sketch pad and pencils. She groaned and continued her onslaught against his back as he opened her door and proceeded down the hallway.

"I'm going to kill-AH! Allister!" She screamed as he swatted her rear and laughed at her misery. The commotion attracted some attention, mainly from the very grouchy duke who was trying to hide from the women in this house. Lillian groaned and eventually went limp over Allister's shoulder, hissing curses beneath her breath. Allister continued to stride through the halls, already seeming to master the direction of the mansion.

She was about to ask where he was kidnapping her to when the bright sunlight answered her question and forced her eyes closed. She squinted in the bright light and looked around to see they were in the garden. She had been wanting to stroll through the flowers and take in the tranquility, but had yet had the chance. Allister finally came to a stop underneath a large tree that provided a shady retreat. He set her on the ground and she was quick to swing her fist into his chest.

"How dare you humiliate me like that Ali!" She shouted her cheeks flaming and her fists clenched, thinking about pummeling the man before her. Allister frowned down at her and crossed his arms over his chest. He looked back at the house and sighed before turning to look at her and she noticed that his gaze had softened.

"What happened Lily?" He whispered and the fight was swept out of her. She sighed and turned her back on him before sinking down onto the stone bench set under the tree. She looked over at the satchel that Allister had set on the bench and reached in to pull out her pad. Running her fingers over the familiar etchings on the cover brought her a semblance of peace. Allister took two steps until he was standing in front of her again. Waiting until she finally lifted her eyes to meet his.