Read Online The Governess Club: Louisa by Ellie Macdonald - Free Book Online

learning the texture of that skin as well until he was caressing her chin with his thick digit.
    Mrs. Brock’s eyes had widened when he touched her forehead, stared at him unblinkingly as his thumb traversed her cheek. Now her mouth gaped open slightly and her shoulders rose and fell with her breathing. Her tongue darted out, licking her lips and his eyes were riveted by the sight of it. When not pressed into a thin line, her mouth was pale pink, nicely shaped with her lower lip more lush than the top and the small bow along the top lip just large enough to catch a man’s attention.
    But John’s attention was currently on that lush lower lip. It begged him to kiss it, draw it into his mouth to nibble and suck. Heat flooded his body at the thought of closing the small distance between them and doing just that. Based on the look on her face and her breathing, Mrs. Brock would welcome his kiss at the very least. He shifted, preparing to do just that.
    A clatter broke the spell. John dropped his hand and turned to look at Joe teaching Timothy and Alan about the shingles, the boys throwing them onto the growing pile to be pulled up to the roof. Robbie had moved to the shade of a tree and was stretched out for a nap, his cap covering his face.
    The sound of skirts moving reached his ears and John had to watch Mrs. Brock return to the inn. She strode quickly and did not glance back over her shoulder. He ducked his head ruefully, his body pricking with want. He had to content himself with watching her hips sway back and forth until he couldn’t see her anymore.

 

C HAPTER S EVEN
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    G iant Johnny stuck his head into the office. “Come with me.”
    Louisa glanced up from the accounts. “What for?”
    He sighed. “Just come. I only have a few minutes. Please,” he added.
    With a frown, she stood and followed him out through the noisy kitchen towards her cottage. The carpenters had finished for the day, the sun already beginning to set. “What is it, Mr. Taylor? Dinner patrons will be arriving shortly. I still help to prepare and serve meals, as you well know.”
    “First off, I think being partners means we can address each other by our Christian names. John is mine.”
    “I know what your name is. And I disagree, as the use of our Christian names implies an intimacy that does not belong in a business partnership.”
    “Doesn’t it?”
    “No.”
    “What about all those husband-and-wife partnerships? We are hardly the only couple to run an inn together.”
    Louisa lifted her chin. “You have hit upon the difference. We are not married.”
    “No, we are not.” He had stopped next to the ladder up to the roof and looked at her, his dark eyes smoldering. She knew what that look was for and it sent a wave of heat directly to her womb. Good Lord, it had been some time since she had had such a reaction to a man. She couldn’t remember it being so powerful.
    She crossed her arms over her chest, hoping to hide how her nipples had tightened. “Why did you bring me here? Is there something the matter with my cottage?”
    Giant Johnny shook his head. “Nothing is the matter. I just thought to show you something.”
    “What is it?”
    “How to shingle a roof.” He gestured to the ladder. “Up you go.”
    Her eyes widened and she felt her jaw drop. She just stared at him for a moment before regaining her wits. “I beg your pardon?”
    He grinned at her, making her stomach tighten. “You looked so unhappy to not be able to repair your own roof. I thought you might like to learn the basics, at least.”
    Louisa glanced warily at the ladder. “You expect me to climb that thing in a dress?”
    “I would lend you some of my trousers, but I doubt they would be your size. Even with a belt, they would be so big on you they would be a danger.” He leaned into her with a cheeky grin. “I won’t look if you don’t want me to.”
    Her face reddened and she pressed her lips into a thin line. “You will proceed before me,”