Free The Claiming by Kaitlyn O'Connor Page A

eyes, wondering how anything about him, or the situation could seem so familiar to her.
    "I'm sure you have a very logical explanation," he said finally as he returned his attention to freeing her. "I believe I have it now."
    "Thank goodness," she said lowering herself to her elbows slowly, expecting momentarily to feel the tug on her hair once more. None came and she smiled at Alain in gratitude.
    A startled gasp drew her attention and she glanced over her shoulder in time to see Lill hastily retreat from the room. She glanced quickly at Alain to gauge his reaction. His expression was so eloquent of chagrin that, when coupled with the sudden release of tension, she dissolved into giggles.
    “I see nothing at all humorous in having been caught in such an undignified position by one of my servants," Alain said, half in amusement and half in exasperation.
    Jana stifled her laughter with an effort.
    His smile faded as he studied her, replaced by a look that was half questioning and filled with intent as he shifted, bringing his face closer, his gaze straying to her lips.
    Jana's amusement died instantly. As abruptly as the tension she’d felt before had disappeared, it returned, far more intensely. She gazed back at him warily, realizing that he meant to kiss her, wondering if she was supposed to allow it, but far more captivated by the realization that she wanted him to. Her heart seemed to stop beating altogether. Her breath caught in her throat.
    He drew back abruptly, glancing toward the door and she was surprised at the depth of her disappointment.
    "What the devil...!" he exclaimed in surprise.
    Jana followed the line of his gaze and laughed shakily, feeling almost weak with the release of tension. "Behn! You bad boy! You are not to chew on boots! They are not at all hygienic!"
    The baby’s face crumpled. She thought for several unnerving moments that he was going to burst into tearful wails. Instead, he reached for her.
    Jana was too surprised to react immediately, but finally held out her hand. He grasped it, crawling over her legs and burying his face against her chest. Hesitantly, she wrapped her arms around him. It seemed to be what he’d wanted, for he settled quietly against her, sniffing and casting reproachful glances at the man who’d frightened him.
    The female child, Marly, apparently jealous of the attention Behn was receiving, crawled up to Jana and demanded to be held, as well. Jana pulled her close, too, pleased, though she wasn’t entirely certain why she was so gratified that they wanted her to hold them.
    "Does the child make a habit of chewing on things that are inedible?" Alain asked coolly as he rose and extended his hand to help her rise.
    Jana stared at him. He was criticizing her. It should have unnerved her. Instead, she felt a surge of anger, not, she finally realized because he seemed displeased with her, but because she did not like his coolness toward the infants. "He is an infant. He does not know what he’s allowed to eat.”
    "That being the case, perhaps you had better find something a little more appropriate for him to chew on," he retorted coldly.
    He pulled Marly from her arms and set the child in the crib, then reached for Behn. Reluctantly, Jana released him and he lifted the child and placed him in the crib as well. Jana scrambled to her feet as Behn almost immediately began to wail. Not to be outdone, Marly joined him.
    As if the chorus was her cue, Lill rushed into the room.
    Alain grasped Jana’s arm and led her into the hallway, closing the door behind them. They glared at each other for several moments in silence.
    It occurred to Jana after a moment, however, that she would never have dared to allow Marty to see her anger and that being so near to Alain had so thoroughly thrown her off balance that she’d not even realized she had ceased to behave with any caution.
    To her surprise and relief, he said nothing at all about her behavior. She tensed when he released her