Love Then Begins Read Online Free PDF Page A

tucked one leg on either side of his hips and wriggled slightly, making him close his eyes and groan softly. “But I think I know. And as long as there is not something I ought to be doing instead . . . ”
    “I have no other plans,” he murmured, placing his hands on her hips and settling her into place, “have you?”
    “Well,” she teased, playfully resisting his efforts, “I have been shamefully neglecting my work these past few days. Perhaps I should—”
    “Hold your tongue, woman,” his eyes sparkled as a determined thrust terminated her words in a gasp of surprise and pleasure. “No distractions. Besides, all that’s all ready been taken care of.”
    “Taken care of?” Holly pulled up, stilling his slow movements. “What do you mean it’s already taken care of?”
    “Just what I said,” he resumed the rhythm, “so I think we might as well discuss that later.”
    “ I think,” she sat upright, compelling him to be still by resting her weight over him, “we may as well discuss it now.”
    “Now?” He was clearly baffled.
    “Now,” she smiled and wriggled again, “but be quick about it.”
    “Very well then,” he sighed, not quite pouting. “McKenna and I have already spoken, and everything is resolved.”
    Holly gave him a narrow look. “I beg your pardon?”
    He looked baffled and she placed her hand on his chest, pulling away a little.
    “I just happened upon him at the Thistle and we agreed it was feasible for him to reconsider your engagement.”
    “I beg your pardon,” Holly’s smile faded. “Again. My work is between Dr McKenna and myself. Why did you feel the need to speak to him about it?”
    “Because, my love, your professional obligation toward Dr McKenna is incompatible with your obligations as my wife.” He smiled, hoping that was sufficient explanation, but her appalled expression compelled him to continue. “It is slightly awkward, I know, but I promise my feelings about the whole thing really don’t come into play. It is purely business and Dr McKenna must understand that.”
    “Awkward indeed! So you admit it is wrong of you to interfere and yet you do it anyway?”
    He gave her a quick look of irritation—this was not a discussion he had ever envisioned having while in such a delicate position. “No, I admit no such thing. It is not wrong, but it is awkward and difficult—though, I think, easily enough remedied: your obligation to Dr McKenna is at an end, and any additional needs of his will be undertaken by a new illustrator.”
    “A new illustrator,” she snapped, crawling away and dislodging him with a very inelegant motion. “And what will a new illustrator know about our vision for this publication? What will someone new do to my existing work? To what we have accomplished so far? I certainly will not allow my work to be cobbled together with a new illustrator’s inferior drawings, just for the sake of—”
    “For the sake of what, Holly?” Baugham sat up angrily. “Of me? Of our marriage?”
    “For the sake of your injured masculinity! My work has nothing to do with us or our marriage.”
    “Right,” he grumbled, “it has to do with you and Dr McKenna—just the two of you.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” she tugged the sheet up, covering her exposed breasts. “Can you not put aside your injured feelings for one moment and trust that I know how to handle myself? I cannot just abandon him!”
    “Now who’s being ridiculous? I have no injured feelings, except over your lack of belief in me. You will simply have to trust that I, as your husband, know what is best to be done. I am trying very hard to set aside my personal feelings to do what is right and expedient in this particular situation.”
    “Personal feelings?” she retorted. “Now you admit to having them after all? Yet you will not even confess those feelings on this particular matter to me? Not to mention my feelings!”
    He frowned and punched the pillow behind him.
    “Yes,