The Actress and the Aristocrat by Katie Ashley
Chapter Twenty-Two: Randall
Thankfully, dinner went off without a hitch. Alfie’s housekeeper had managed to not only seat Charlie and I close to each other, but our table companions were very laid back and welcoming. I suppose what happened between me and Colin spread through the house because no one mentioned a peep about Ascot. Perhaps it was also due to Charlie’s impeccable performance. Or should I just say, her bright personality. She charmed every person around us, not that I was surprised.
After dinner, we went out to the garden area for drinks and dessert around the pool. Normally, I would’ve spread out to mingle, but considering what had happened earlier, I stayed glued to Charlie’s side, for which she seemed very appreciative.
With the hunt starting early in the morning, the party was cut short around ten. As we started up the stairs, I could feel my stomach tightening. I’d managed to forget until this very moment about Charlie and I sharing a bed.
When we entered the bedroom, Charlie and I both froze momentarily. After a few moments of awkward silence, I suggested, “Why don’t you take the bathroom first?”
“Okay.”
After Charlie grabbed her pajamas from the wardrobe, she hurried into the bathroom. To hurry things along, I grabbed my evening wear from my suitcase. Although I never wore a top to bed when I was home, Mrs. Shaw always packed a bottom and top when I was sleeping away from home. I was never more grateful to not be sleeping bare chested. I made fast work of getting out of my suit and then rushed into my pajamas.
I was just buttoning the last button on my top when Charlie emerged from the bathroom. Instead of a pair of cotton pajamas or flannel gown, she was wearing a nightgown with flimsy spaghetti straps and a neckline that dipped preciously low. “Oh my,” I murmured at the sight of her.
With a sheepish look, Charlie stared down at her ensemble, “I didn’t know I wouldn’t be sleeping alone, and this is what Mrs. Shaw packed.”
“I-It’s f-fine,” I stammered like a prepubescent boy.
“I’m finished in the bathroom if you need it.”
Nodding, I brushed past her and into the bathroom. Instantly, I regretted my decision. Charlie had used some sort of delicious smelling lotion, and the scent filled the room. It was so feminine and delicate in one way and utterly arousing in another. I turned the water on to brush my teeth and tried ignoring the smell.
Once I was done with my teeth and had taken a leak, I willed myself to leave the bathroom. Maybe sleeping in the bathtub wouldn’t be so bad? Would you stop being an utter fanny?
I fought the urge to cross myself before opening the door. When I stepped out, I found Charlie was already in bed. Not only was she on the very edge of the mattress, but she had the covers pulled to her chin. Any other time I would have found the situation funny, but all humor evaded me at the moment. Charlie was, beyond a doubt, the most sensual woman I’d ever met, and somehow, I had to be the one pretending now. Pretending to be indifferent to her beauty. Her allure.
I pulled back the covers on my side and eased in. Turning my head toward her, I gave her a small smile. “Well, goodnight then.”
Returning my smile, she replied, “Goodnight, Rand.”
I flipped back over to turn off the light. When the room was plunged into darkness, I once again debated sleeping in the tub. Instead, I pulled myself together, closed my eyes, and started thinking of the least sexy things possible like bull insemination. But somehow that led me back to sex.
Fuck, it was going to be a long night.