After all, if two people were to wed, shouldn’t dating precede the nuptials?
My physical prepping and mental pep talk were interrupted by a knock on the door.
While Ian had the whole scary-bodyguard persona going for him, with each interaction, I found myself more and more comfortable in his presence. His knock came after I’d recently gotten out of the shower. I was wrapped in a towel with another towel upon my head.
At the sound of the rapping, I peeked from the bathroom door somewhat concerned that it was Rett and I wasn’t prepared. “Come in,” I called toward the door.
“Miss North.” Ian stopped, wide-eyed, in the threshold upon spotting me peeking around the wooden door.
“I’m covered, Ian. You can come in.”
He lifted a leather bag that reminded me of one I’d had in college but much nicer. “Miss, Mr. Ramses sent this for you. It’s a laptop. Where do you want me to put it?”
“You can leave it there.”
Ian glanced toward what remained of our lunch. “May I take this away?”
“Yes.”
Before he left, he turned. “If you need anything...”
“I know, you’re right outside.”
“Yes, miss.” His reply was accompanied by the first hint of a grin I’d seen upon his face.
The computer, blessedly, had a clock in the corner of the screen. I couldn’t access the internet, which wasn’t a surprise, but the clock was helpful. My only other indication was the sunshine from the skylight in the library.
I’d left that open.
It not only allowed the sunshine in but also the warm air.
I didn’t mind.
While I was clean, I chose to be makeup free, my hair plaited into one long braid that rested upon my shoulder, until I knew more of what the night would bring. The jury was still out on what I would do or wear once I had more information.
Searching the closet again, I found a casual gauze skirt, lined in silk and different only in color from the one I’d worn the other day—this one was varying shades of navy blue—and a soft pink t-shirt. While I’d found a bra, my search of the closet and drawers came up empty for panties. I had a faint recollection of a comment at the restaurant when Rett had mentioned wanting me exposed. I was beginning to worry that he meant all of the time.
After I was dressed, another knock came. This time, I went to the door.
“Miss North.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be called by my real name, but sometime during the last twenty-four hours, I’d given up on that particular battle. “Ian.”
“May I enter?”
I took a step back as he came through the threshold, pulling a rack of clothes on wheels, one looking very similar to something that belonged in a store. The merchandise upon the hangers took my breath away until my breaths grew shallower as it became more difficult to inhale. “There are so many.”
“These are only a few.”
I ran my fingers over the material in all different textures and colors. “Do I need to look for my size?”
“No, I believe the shopper was given your measurements.”
I turned to him. “When?”
“I don’t know the particular date.”
“Before today.” It wasn’t a question.