they’d accomplished together and the moments they’d shared, he at least expected her honesty. He stood inside the doorway for a moment to watch her.
Her hair was pulled back in her signature messy braid, tendrils floating carelessly around her perfect face. Overalls hung loosely on her slim body, but Edward knew what loveliness hid beneath those baggy clothes. He’d run his hands along her skin, his mouth over her secret places. No man could easily forget that body. But Clem was so much more than physical perfection.
The way she drove herself full throttle toward her passions was inspiring. Even now, her focus was fully fixed on a staining project for the mantle. She seemed aware of nothing but the wood beneath her fingers. It seemed as if her entire soul wrapped itself around whatever she was working on at any given time. It stopped Edward’s breath.
It also made him crazy.
To Clem, everything else fell away when it came to the things she loved. Even lawfulness and common sense. She actually believed that it was okay to pilfer things from demolition sites, even though it was illegal and incredibly unsafe. This tunnel vision was what got her into trouble. Maybe she believed she was due some kind of extra bounty for the work she’d put into the castle. Maybe that was how she justified stealing his family heirlooms.
Edward entered the room, and at the sound of his footsteps, Clem looked up. When she smiled, sunshine poured over him. His pulse raced.
“Hey,” she said. “This is coming along really nicely.” She looked at the mantle, pride shining in her eyes. This was her pet project, one he’d insisted would take too much of her time. She’d fought for it though, and he had to admit, it looked amazing.
“I have to ask you something, Clem.” Better to get right to it.
“What’s up?” Clem looked up at him, perplexed.
“Some family heirlooms have gone missing from the castle,” he said.
Clem’s face went blank.
“Some pieces of my aunt’s china and other things.”
Still nothing.
“Do you know anything about this?”
Clem’s eyebrows furrowed. A redness appeared on her neck and crawled slowly to her cheeks.
“Are you asking me if I know who might have taken these things?” she asked, her voice high-pitched but controlled. “Or are you asking me if I took them?”
“Well—”
“So you think I’m a thief now?”
Edward snorted. “Clem, you do make a habit of visiting historical sites and stealing relics, correct? I mean, isn’t that how we met?”
Clem approached Edward. The anger on her face made him instantly regret his words. “I only take things that are about to be destroyed,” she argued. “It’s not stealing; it’s rescuing.”
Placing her hands on her hips, like she was ready for battle, Clem narrowed her eyes until they were slits. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m working to restore this castle, not tear it down. Why would I steal family heirlooms?”
Edward narrowed his eyes. “I’ve literally caught you in the act of stealing before,” he said. “It’s not that big a stretch.”
“I don’t have time for this,” she said and turned her attention back to the mantle. “I have a lot of work to do here.”
“I deserve honesty, Clementine.” He was not about to let this go.
She looked up at him, her blue eyes steelier than he’d ever seen them.
“Here’s your honesty,” she said. “I didn’t steal anything from this castle.”
Edward took a deep breath. They were at an impasse.
“Okay, then. If you say you didn’t take the pieces, I’ll take your word.” Something felt off, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
Her stare softened, and she looked away.
“I don’t want there to be tension between us, Clem.” He closed in on her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I value you, not only as a crucial partner in this project, but as a person.” Edward cleared his throat. “You’re special to me, Clem, and I’m sorry I hurt you.”
She gazed up at him sadly. “It’s okay,” she said finally. “I mean, before you knew me as me, you knew me as a thief in the night.”
Edward gave a quiet laugh, feeling relieved at her words.
Clem stood to face him and shrugged. “I guess I can’t blame you for thinking of me when things go missing.”
“Forgiven, then?” His eyes pleaded with her.
“Yes.” She hugged him briefly, and he took a moment to breathe in the patchouli-chocolate scent that was signature Clem.
“Seriously, though, I have to get busy here,” she said.
“Got it.” He left her to her work,