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I’m very good at hiding in plain sight, and, over the years, Victor repeatedly stated the only reason he didn’t pursue Scarlett years ago was due to financial trouble. He chose his second wife because she had a great deal of family wealth but was orphaned. Somehow he convinced her guardians he would make a good partner for her.

I’ve also heard whispers in town that Victor grew tired of both his wives, and that he believed carrying and birthing his children had ruined their bodies.

And how he quietly dispensed with them.

They’re only whispers because Victor is too powerful. No one is willing to risk his wrath.

Even if Scarlett hadn’t refused the arrangement, I would have done everything I could have to stop her from falling into his clutches. Including making the man disappear.

I love her too much to let her be treated as little more than a disposable object.

The thought rises unbidden and gives me pause. Because it’s true.

I love her.

I’ve loved her for years.

At first, my feelings for her were more lustful than anything. But as I spoke to her and watched her, I realized I liked her spirit. With each passing year, her feistiness grew and, with that, so did my admiration and adoration. I enjoyed her efforts to put me in my place. I needed someone strong enough to stand up to my tendency for dominance. A woman who was both strong and passionate.

It made her yielding all the sweeter.

Yes, I’m in love with Scarlett. My only option in the face of this knowledge is to convince her to love me in return.

When she and Conall arrive back at the cottage, obviously well-fucked and much more relaxed, I decide to act on my half-formed courting plans.

Conall washes up and disappears into the bedroom while Scarlett goes into the kitchen for a cup of water. Within minutes, he’s snoring, and Scarlett laughs quietly when she catches the sound.

“I think you wore him out,” I say.

Her eyes sparkle as she looks up at me. “He wore me out, too. I think I could sleep for a few days. Especially if I had a long, hot bath first.”

She studies me as a slow, wicked smile spreads across my face, her eyes narrowing. “You look as if you’re up to something nefarious,” she murmurs.

“I’m not. I’m just going to grant your wish for a hot bath.”

She shakes her head. “Hunter, it’s too much work to haul the water in and heat it. I can do a quick wash tonight and take a bath tomorrow.”

“Come with me,” I say, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

With a sigh, Scarlett lets me lead her down the hall to my bedroom. Her steps hesitate as we reach my door and her expression grows suspicious.

“Is this a ploy to get me into your bed, woodsman?” she asks.

“No, Little Red. But we do have to pass through my bedroom to reach our destination.”

She doesn’t resist as I guide her past my bed, though her eyes do linger on the wide bed frame I made and the huge mattress on it. She doesn’t remark on it, but I know she’s reconsidering her stance on sleeping in my bed. It’s nearly twice the size of hers and a great deal more comfortable.

I’m not sure I want to give up sleeping in the guest room with her. And the Lycan. With the three of us in the smaller bed, she’s forced to use one of us as a pillow all night. It’s something I enjoy.

I open the door to my bathing chamber, and her eyes widen at the sight of the deep copper tub by the windows.

“The well pump runs through a series of pipes over a small fire, and it heats the water,” I explain. “I can have a hot bath ready for you in five minutes.”

Especially since I already started the fire in the small hearth below the pipes. It’s crackling merrily.

She stops and glares up at me. “You didn’t think to mention this before? Say yesterday?”

I shrug. “You didn’t tell me you wanted a bath.”