Page 66 of Balthazar's Fire

“Yes, pet,” he answered, looking absurdly handsome as he strolled toward her, one hand thrust into his pocket.

The muscles between her legs clenched at the sound of her new name, and she smiled at the devilish gleam in his eyes.

A day had passed since they’d met Sebastian and Rebecca at the Vaughn’s penthouse, but Cherie had forgotten none of the haunting details. They’d stayed and listened to Rebecca replay tales of the terrible things she’d suffered at her father’s hands, and the way she’d been largely ignored by both her mother and brother. Despite coming from obvious wealth, it seemed Rebecca’s upbringing had been less happy than hers.

Balthazar had seemed initially unmoved by Rebecca’s memories, but Cherie had sensed him thaw as the visit progressed. It was clear that Rebecca was bringing his brother joy, and she knew Balthazar well enough to know that was important to him.

“How is he?” she wondered aloud.

“Happy.” Balthazar smiled. “I told him that we were here for the day, so to stay away, but I get the impression they’re content at the penthouse for the time being.”

Balthazar had promised to bring her back to the mountain lodge before they’d met Rebecca, but Cherie had the sense there was more to the visit then he was letting on. Excitement simmered in her belly as she contemplated what he might have in mind.

“And what about Rebecca?” she pressed. “Is she doing okay?”

That made him pause. “You really liked her, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “I did. Why?”

“I wasn’t sure what I’d think of her.” He settled on the seat beside Cherie. “Being a Monroe, I fully expected to loathe the woman.”

“But you didn’t?” she probed, pleased that they both seemed to have reached the same conclusion about Sebastian’s lady.

“No.” His brow rose with the confession. “I didn’t, but I’m reserving judgment until I get to know her better. She’s still a Monroe, after all.”

“We are not who our families are,” Cherie reminded him, stroking the back of his hand. “Although yours seems lovely.”

“That’s because you haven’t met Draco yet,” Balthazar chuckled, glancing around as if he expected his sibling to appear from behind the counter. “What about you? You never talk about your family?”

“There’s not much to tell.” Cherie shrugged. “As an only child of a single mum, it was only ever the two of us, and I lost her a few years ago.”

“Cherie.” His brow creased as he tugged her closer. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“Why would you?”

Cherie blinked away the tears that threatened to rise at his sudden tenderness. She missed her mother, but had learned to bury her emotions a long time ago. She was used to being on her own, but it meant she was ill-equipped to deal with such honest intimacy. That, she realized, was Balthazar’s power. He was the kindest man she’d ever met, and she hoped that would never change.

“No, I’m sorry,” she sniffed. “I’m just being silly.”

“Hey.” Kissing her forehead, he held her closer. “Don’t apologize for how you feel. It’s okay if you’re emotional. You don’t have to hide from me, pet.”

She smiled through the midst of her tears, grateful that for the first time in her life, his words were true. Finally, she could be herself, and she’d found a man who adored her for just that—who she was.

“Thank you, sir,” she murmured, breathing in his scent as she rested against him. “That means a lot.”

They sat in silence for a moment, only the sound of Balthazar’s strong and rhythmic heartbeat and the crackles of the fire audible as his arms eased her back to solace.

“As for the lodge.” His body tensed as he broke the contented quiet, and if she wasn’t mistaken, his heart rate sped up. “I brought you back here for specific reasons.”

“Because I mentioned how incredible the views are?” she offered, rising from his chest and meeting his eyes. She still couldn’t get over how lucky she was to have met him. Not only was Balthazar freaking gorgeous, but there seemed to be nothing he wouldn’t do to look after her. “Because they are.”

She glanced out of the expanse of glass surrounding the lodge, once again awed by the vista. It definitely beat the penthouse, though how she’d stumbled into a life where she had access to both properties still made her head spin.

“Well, yes,” he concurred. “But that wasn’t what I meant.”

“What did you mean, sir?”

The sudden edge in his voice reminded her of the time he’d spanked her, her pulse increasing at the recollection. They hadn’t spoken about the punishment since, but a part of her longed for more of his dominance. Despite the discomfort, the feel of his palm against her backside had been one of the most electrifying experiences of her life.

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