The biggest witch hunt

Chapter 4

Bo was setting the plates for Oliver and I as we exited the conference room, I looked shyly at Oliver and asked “will you stay?” My cheeks flushing when I left off dinner hoping he’d stay longer. Oliver smirked as he nodded and gave me a light kiss on my forehead before pulling my chair out for me and turning to Bo.

“You can take an early night, I will finish taking care of her tonight.” He announced sternly, taking his seat next to me and serving the dishes to our plates. 

I looked over at Bo who was waiting for me to give him the okay, I nodded and informed him I’d see him at breakfast.

“Thank you.” I said to Oliver as I started to eat our dinner.

“Ry, I know you’re still in shock and things haven’t really set in, I just want you to know I’m going to be by your side, just like I have been your whole life.” He said not breaking eye contact with me, his Carmel eyes melting into me with a knowing sparkle to them, magic like.

“I know.. I’m so glad you’re back.” I said finally after finishing my plate and pushing it to the side of us. 

He gave a weary smile at my comment and stood up offering his hand to me.

We walked back outside and laid watching the sun finish setting beyond the horizon. My stomach fluttered as I thought about the darkness laying over us like a blanket, Oliver has never been allowed to stay past dinner, much less be alone with me until our wedding night.

Bo was down in his butler chambers and the rest of my home completely empty, lights still shining bright as ever.

I felt Oliver’s gazed burning into me, when I glanced over at his he had a smirk on him face, “why are you blushing so hard” he chuckled and leaned in, kissing so gentle, making me feel like I was melting into his arms.

I giggled and sat up looking out over the lake.

“I was just thinking” I said nervously with a hint of excitement, that I know he didn’t miss.

I felt him stand up behind me, turning around to see his arm extended towards me, ready to help me to my feet.

“Dance with me” he said in his deep voice, which that alone made me body follow his every command. I nodded, wide eye and full of joy, laying my head on his chest listening to his steady heartbeat and he lead us around slowly.

My parents never cared to spend time with me other than to make sure that I was attending every class they signed me up for coming home right afterwards. I spent my time in my room, unless Oliver was over, then we’d walk in the gardens while his parents attended business with mine, til dinner and he’d leave with his parents, always leaving me to feel alone again.

I sighed at the thought I felt more at home standing here on the day my parents died.

He must’ve sensed my mood change as our dance halted and he was down on his knees looking up into my eyes with worry, he pushed one of my lose curls out of my face and rubbed his thumb across my cheek, “would you like to get ready for sleep?” He asked me softly as I leaned into his hand almost purring.

Lifting me from my feet, into his arms, he carried me back into my home and up the stairs, when we reached my room he stood by my door and set me down, “mrs. Ember, always my pleasure to see you” he said with a small bow, my heart stung at the thought of him leaving and I could tell he knew as his smile faded him to a slight frown, “what’s wrong Ry?” He said full of concern.

“I want you to stay with me.” I felt myself say before I could even think about it, pulling his hand and leading him inside my bedroom, I shut the door behind us and locked the door, out of habit.

Flinching at the thought of when my parents tried to sell me almost three years ago, trying to take me in the middle of the night, they didn’t like how close me and Oliver had grown and said the way we acted was unacceptable for a couple ONLY courting each other, his parents must’ve intervened as for the following weeks they’d accompany him when he wanted to spend time with me and my parents was cower and accommodate them.

Oliver grabbed my hips and pulled me into a deep kiss pulling me from my thoughts. 

He pulled back and whispered against my lips, “I will draw a bath for you, rose or lavender?” He mumbled continuing the kiss.

He lifted me, placing his hands right under my butt on my thighs and walked with me to the bathroom. He say my down on the dressing bench in the middle and walked over to the large tub starting the hot water.

“Both.” I said catching my breath, admiring him.

I could tell he was smirking even though he wasn’t turned toward me, I watched as he added oils and petals for me and turned the water off once it was filled, “your bath awaits princess” he said playfully walking over to the bench and leaning down to kiss me, he went to turn towards the door when I stood dropping my sundress, leaving me bare other than a white thong. 

“Please stay.” I said, my heart thumping wildly at this new found courage.