Under the heiress facade

"What are you going to do about it if I'm not? Get out of here and tell Hera to come see me!" Nicholas snapped as he chased Wayne out of the room and slammed the door shut.

Wayne was speechless. He was about to turn and leave when the door behind him creaked open. Nicholas warned through the gap, "Get back here. Don't you dare tell anyone what happened just now, or I'll give you hell when we go back to Jedburgh!"

The threat might have left a bigger impact had Wayne not turned around and seen Nicholas poking his head through the gap in the door. He looked so ridiculous with his auburn curls that Wayne told Bernard about the incident immediately upon returning.

Outside another hotel room, Bernard snorted after hearing Wayne's report. He had expected a more elaborate plan from Nicholas, only to be disappointed.

"Got it. Keep an eye on him," Bernard said as he handed Wayne a bank card.

The image of Nicholas lying in bed naked, save for his boxers, made Wayne's stomach churn. He would have refused to do Bernard's bidding had Bernard not given him a bank card.

With his limited academic qualifications and work capabilities, Wayne would never make enough money in Jedburgh to cover his and Everly's costs of living. While Hera had been kind enough to provide him with free lodging, his male pride did not allow him to depend on Hera's generosity.

As such, he made up his mind to do whatever Bernard tasked him with. At least the money was good. He took the bank card and promised, "Alright, I'll keep an eye on him. I won't let him bother you and Hera."

...

to the room, Hera

won the bet. Nicholas was only pretending to be ill," Bernard declared triumphantly as he closed the door behind him. He locked it and crossed the room to the bed in a few long

but Bernard did not permit her

was right, Bernard sent

was faking it?" Hera asked, pressing a hand to Bernard's chest

I'm a man and I know how he thinks," Bernard

eyed him with faint amusement. "I'm guessing you've pulled the same trick

look. "Stop talking and kiss me," he murmured as he dipped his head to kiss her on

careened from beat to beat when she sensed what he was about to do next. Panic flooded her as she clutched

asked, her soft voice strained and without its usual

glanced down at the fingers clutching the front of his shirt and knew

his head until

pressed against hers

her

try it out,