Page 46 of Cayden

“You mean with sticky fingers Josh?” Leesa called out.

“You are so mean, darling.” He tsked as he slicked conditioner through Blair’s hair. “You know I have not yet recovered from what that- that creature did to me.”

“And yet, you were seen with him just last week, making the rounds at several restaurants.” Kelly grinned at his bashful expression. “I have eyes everywhere. What the hell are you still doing with him? Didn’t he relieve you of several thousand dollars and some really expensive jewelry?”

He made a pained sound deep inside his throat as he rinsed Blair’s hair.

“You do not understand how difficult it is to find love. All of you inside this room have found darling men, very wealthy and oneswho are committed. Not to mention how well they look on the eyes. Josh is great in bed, and he makes me feel cherished.”

“How much is he costing you this time?” Leesa asked him dryly.

Barry made another pained sound, “he promised not to steal from me again.”

“I hope you got that in writing,” Kelly commented.

“Don’t be such a bitch.”

“I am a bitch and you are an idiot. Now enough of this tiresome conversation, I need some champagne.” Plucking off the cucumber slice, she looked at Blair. “Darling, I hope you don’t mind, but I am going to send someone to raid the wine cellar.”

“Be my guest!” Blair waved a hand at her and closed her eyes, contented to tune them out.

*****

He found her on the balcony. His mother told him she had some visitors and who they were, and he was grateful that she had some diversion. He knew she had been suffering from acute bouts of depression lately and was feeling guilty.

He had been spending nights in the adjoining bedroom through tacit agreement. She moved around a lot and often got up to use the bathroom, therefore robbing him of sleep.

He hated to be away from her, but that was the only way he could deal with what was happening. During the night, he would make his way into their bedroom to check on her. He stopped first in the rooms assigned to be the nurseries and made note of the progress.

His mother was the one in charge of the supervision and had been giving him regular reports. Standing just inside what was going to be the girls’ room, he admired the pale pink silk wallpapers with the princess theme clearly etched into the fabric.

The furnishings were white and delicate looking. Two cots were already set up, side by side and he noticed additional items inside the room. Stuffed toys were placed on shelves and a pink and white bookcase stood next to the shelves.

Using the adjoining door, he stepped into the blue and green room that would be the boys’ and felt his throat closing up and a lump forming. It struck him forcibly that he was going to be a father of four. And he felt slightly overwhelmed.

What in the hell did he know about how to be a dad? His own father was a good one, excellent in fact. Not overly indulgent and had been there for their most important achievements, no matter how busy he was. He was hoping he would be the same.

Leaving the rooms, he made his way into their suite and saw her through the glass as soon as he stepped into the bedroom.Deciding to shower before joining her, he went into the bathroom and made quick work of washing off the very long day.

He would spend time with his wife and delay going to his very lonely bed for as long as possible. With that in mind, he donned baggy sweats and t-shirt and made his way through the open glass doors that led to the balcony.

He was about to comment on the set up of dinner and candles burning, when she turned around and had his heart going into complete overdrive. Words failed him and all he could do was stare.

The disheveled hair was no longer, instead, it was shimmering in the overhead lights with glints of burnished gold showing through the dark brown. That was not the only changes. Her skin glowed as if a light had been turned on inside her and was projecting a flame.

The robe, a rich burgundy and completely transparent, was her only attire. Her soft smile drew him in, with the seductive knowledge that he was bowled over and damned if he wasn’t. He felt himself harden to impossible proportions and was vaguely happy he had decided to ditch the underwear.

“Hi.”

Even the sound of her voice had his heart doing springs inside his chest.

He had to clear his throat twice before he could respond.

“Hi.”

“I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.” His eyes skimmed over lips coated with shimmering red gloss.

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