Chapter 17

WARNINGS

MATURED CONTENTS!!!!

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single lamp casting long shadows across the walls. Kellan lay in bed, his robe loosely draped over his body, only half open, revealing the contours of his muscular chest.

 Despite the warmth of the sheets and the inviting presence of the woman beside him, his mind was elsewhere.

 His gaze was unfocused, staring up at the ceiling as thoughts of the company's troubles weighed heavily on him.

The woman, her body pressed against his, noticed his distant expression. She traced her fingers along his chest, her touch light and teasing.

 "Baby," she murmured, her voice soft and sultry as she tried to capture his attention. "Look at me a little, tell me what's wrong."

Kellan sighed, his hand absently running through her hair as he struggled to pull himself back to the present. "My dear," he replied, his tone weary, "you wouldn't understand. It's complicated."