Read Online Shackled by Morgan Ashbury - Free Book Online Page A

standing in this stylish room wearing nothing more than one of her lover’s button-front shirts.
    Her lover . She’d never had a lover before, and wasn’t that a damn shame?
    Jonathan had rolled the sleeves of the shirt up so that they came to rest above her wrists. No underwear covered either her breasts or her pussy. The absence of lingerie was something she really wasn’t used to. She wasn’t used to feeling so naked and exposed.
    The only time she’d ever been naked in the past was when she was in the shower. Bethany realized she felt especially uncomfortable being practically naked in the kitchen.
    “My mother never gave out that advice either,” Jonathan said, pulling Bethany back to the present. “But it’s the truth. So have a seat here, and I’ll whip us up some scrambled eggs and toast. You need to eat, sweetheart, and so do I.”
    Even though his tone brooked no argument, Beth wondered why her first inclination was to argue with him. She wanted him to skip the food and get down to business.
    His kitchen featured a center island with tall stools. Bethany knew if she climbed up to sit, her bare ass would likely be on the leather and not on the soft cotton of Jonathan’s shirt, even if the garment covered her adequately while standing. She supposed if she eased up onto the chair carefully…
    Jonathan solved her dilemma by picking her up and setting her on the seat, ensuring her bottom rested on cotton.
    “You’re very strong. I’m not a featherweight, and no, that was not a self-deprecating comment.” In fact, his bold action and gallant strength had sent a tingle through all her female bits.
    Jonathan grinned. “I work out. And I eat breakfast.”
    How did he know she bristled at his breakfast-decree? Bethany mentally shook her head.
    He set about getting a frying pan out of the cupboard and eggs out of the fridge. “Do you like cheese with your eggs?”
    “Yes, I do.” Bethany sighed. It looked as if she was about to have breakfast, whether she wanted it or not.
    It surprised her that Jonathan would cook for her. Tim had never set foot in the kitchen except to eat. Truthfully, she’d always felt most at ease when she was left alone in her small domain to do what needed to be done. She didn’t think she would have shared the space gracefully.
    “What did you just think about that put that sucking-lemons expression on your face?”
    Bethany blinked and then shook her head. Jonathan’s stare felt intense, and she had to struggle not to squirm under it. “I’m sorry. I was just thinking about some of the differences between you and Tim. I shouldn’t do that.”
    “Why not? You were married to the man for a long time. I would think, especially considering the fact that I’m your first lover, comparisons would be inevitable. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
    Bethany frowned. “Well, yes, but comparing the two of you doesn’t serve any useful purpose. My life with Tim is over. I’ve turned the page, so to speak.”
    “I disagree. Not the part about your having turned a page, but about comparison not having a purpose. It’s always good to fully understand what was, and why it was the way it was. It helps you cope with what is ,which in this case is as different for you as night is from day.”
    Wow. Bethany blinked, wondering why she felt as if she’d just been soundly put in her place. Jonathan raised one eyebrow and sent her a look she couldn’t interpret. And then he turned his attention back to making breakfast.
    He moved about the kitchen with the ease of familiarity, and although he was only making scrambled eggs with cheese, his competence appeared obvious. He grated fresh cheddar onto a saucer then put the cheese back in the fridge and set the grater in the sink. Competent and methodical, and used to cleaning up after himself. In this, Jonathan was a lot like her, Bethany thought.
    “You already know the two major rules by which we live—do no harm, and nothing happens