Page 45 of She Belongs to Me

I was right.

She’d not only found one of our finer merlots that had won several awards, if my taste buds hadn’t failed me, she’d selected a bottle worth over one thousand dollars. I certainly couldn’t be angry with her. She had excellent tastes.

Except in stable boys.

Hell, I had no right to call Romeo that. He was getting to be world renowned as a trainer and I was lucky to have him. But seeing him with her, the look on her face had been too much. She’d been right. My jealousy had flared for a second time. Not the best look for me.

I pulled the glass to eye level, twirling the crystal stem before taking another sip. Excellent indeed. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d indulged in the family’s wine.

My life had succumbed to work, work, and more work. What did my mother continue to say at every family event? All work and no play make for a dead boy. My mother was many things including dramatic, which all her children adored about her.

I sat down in my office chair, determined to ensure the Greeks were remaining in their wolves’ den where they belonged. Cheese wasn’t the first food group I’d pick, but I’d barely turned on the laptop, maneuvering to the internet before the brie captured my attention for perhaps the fifth time.

It had been proven, including tonight, I had no self-control. The brie was delicious, especially with whatever flavor of jam she’d placed in the center before baking. Even the blue cheese was incredible, not just edible as I’d believed. And she’d selected the perfect crackers to go with every cheese.

I was smiling as I started searching, taking sips of wine every few seconds. While there seemed to be a couple of additional articles on what had occurred at the bakery, they’d been relegated to close to the end of the internet newspaper anyway.

Yesterday’s news.

As far as the pipeline project, there were dozens of articles, many depicting several different developers who’d purchased land then had it stripped from them. The city was going to have their hands full in trying to curtail the project since the government had taken precedence.

The lack of information on the recent beheading meant nothing to me other than the police had no evidence of who committed the crime. If they had, some reporter would have alluded to it. That would have taken the heat off Alexandra. I sat back, drumming my fingers on the surface of my desk.

I would be damn glad to get the security system boosted.

My eyes were tired, my cock still aching and the anger continuing to flow in my veins. With a quick glance, I realized in shock I’d consumed every scrap of food, the wine drained. How was that possible?

Because it would seem around my goddaughter, all things were possible.

I was such a fool, but I would push it behind me. There was no other choice. It was late enough I might as well try to get some sleep. The security wizards would be here bright and early. I didn’t want them to miss anything.

After checking to ensure what security was in place was armed as it should be, the lights were turned off and I headed upstairs. I’d selected a room for her that was far enough away that I was hopeful my libido wouldn’t get the best of me. Just another ridiculous thought.

Instead of turning toward my door, I looked at hers. The door was closed, but given the darkened hallway, I could tell she’d found something to watch.

I lingered, far too long. Perhaps I needed to say thank you. I wasn’t the kind of man to apologize, but she’d extended an olive branch, being the bigger person. Maybe I should as well. Suddenly, the door was right in front of me.

I debated knocking, but if she was asleep, the last thing I wanted to do was to disturb her and start another war between us. We’d done enough sparring.

She still had the ability to lock me out, but she hadn’t, a clear indication she wasn’t but so angry with me.

Or that she was just as exhausted as I was.

When I opened the door, the scream coming from my right evoked my training. I almost whipped out my weapon.

I was the only person who could call myself a dumbass and get away with it. And Domino had tried more than once. In this case, instead of some mafia movie, it would appear she’d found a slasher flick. And in English without subtitles. Nowadays, you could find anything on satellite television.

There were over three hundred channels. I’d watched maybe two of them over the years.

Was I pathetic? I refused to call myself that. It would be like admitting a weakness.

Alexandra was asleep, not surprising after the day we’d had. She’d eaten a significant amount of the food on her plate. From where I stood, I didn’t think she looked very comfortable, the number of pillows hindering her from lying down. Sighing, I walked closer, pulling the bottle into my hand. She’d consumed over half the bottle herself.

There were two sips left in the glass. I helped myself, placing the cork in the bottle before taking the tray from the bed. The room was large enough for a chair and table by the set of French doors plus another chair near the bed. With the tray on the table, I gently eased the remote from her partially curled fingers, placing it on the opposite nightstand. Several of the pillows were next and as soon as I’d made the adjustment, she settled further under the covers.

With the television turned off, the darkness welcoming, I stood over her for a few seconds. She seemed fast asleep, peacefully so. I pulled the covers around her, effectively tucking her in. I shoved my hands into my pockets, allowing my eyes to get used to the light.

She was a magnificent creature, stunning in every way and so unassuming. I’d thought about pulling her ponytail more than once like some kid. Or using it to keep her in place.

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