Page 101 of Gideon's Gratitude

His frown morphed into a wolfish grin. “Well then, I’m just going to have to prove to you how amazing you are, and how much I want you.” He encouraged me to roll to my side, and he slid in behind, pulling the sheet and duvet over us. “And we have the entire weekend.” He yawned. “And the next. And the next…”

By the time I found the words to respond, he was breathing deeply.

I soon joined him in slumber.

Chapter Eighteen

Archer

The weekend flew by in a haze of snuggling, movie marathons, and sexy times. We had sex a couple of times, spread out, but hand and blow jobs became our thing. I was pleased with how often I could get Gideon revved up. And I suspected he was pleased as well. The tender moments, though, struck a chord with me. The poignancy of his pain gnawed at me, and I swore I’d see if I could make some headway with the case this week.

While Jean-Michel was bright and fresh Monday morning, ready to tackle the week, I just wanted to go back to Mission City and Gideon’s bed. Still, I had a practice to maintain. A practice I was slowly easing back from.

Dr. Yeardley’s stern warning still resonated. Not just about the red meat and adding fresh fruits and vegetables. I’d been stressed. No two ways about it—the work was getting to me. I didn’t have the fight inme anymore. I didn’t have the clawing need to be the best. The richest. The most famous. Instead, I eyed new clients differently. I looked for those who needed my talents, rather than those who could bring in the most dollars.

By the end of the week, my roster looked different. I’d found new homes for some of the complex cases of high-end clients—found lawyers perfectly happy to take on the pressure of big-dollar settlements. As I headed to Mission City, a sense of peace enveloped me.

By the time Monday came around, I was well-rested and well-sated.

Thus began a pattern. I’d drive out Friday afternoon to meet with Riley. Then I’d take Gideon to meet with Kennedy and I’d hang out with Rainbow and Tiffany, enjoying some kind of baked goods. Gideon and I would hang around his house for most of the weekend. We dined at Fifties several times. Once I’d even ventured to try a healthy plant-based burger.

Definitely didn’t taste the same.

Another night, we’d shared a large pizza covered in vegetables, skinned chicken, and extra cheese.

And each Monday morning I headed back to Vancouver with a knot in my stomach. I didn’t want to go. The more time I spent in the small town—with my amazing man—the more I realized I didn’t want to go on as I had. I had some big decisions to make, and the time to make them was coming up soon.

After a particularly arduous day in court, I returned to the office to find a message from my new interior designer. I returned the call. “Orlando? It’s Archer.”

“Hello, stranger.”

My architect, Septimus Knight, had done a brilliant job on the design of the house on the mountains. Now his interior-designer partner,and husband, was getting in touch with me. His voice soothed me. “What’s up?”

“Riley called and gave me the all-clear. She said they’re finishing up the last little things, but that I can start moving in furniture this week. You’re still planning for a Christmas shindig, right?”

Was I? Or had that been his decision? A big, splashy open house to show off my new digs. Now I hesitated. Would Gideon come? Were we ready to come out as a couple? My family would love the man, of course, but would my lover be comfortable with the rowdy Chamberlain clan? After having spent the better part of a year alone, how would he cope with being dropped into the middle of organized chaos?

“Are you there?”

“Of course.”Shake it off.“Yes, please begin moving things in. I, uh…” Hm, how to say this? “I don’t think I planned enough around the number of nieces and nephews I have. I was going to have a room with a pool table downstairs.”

“I remember.”

“Well, can we make that into a playroom instead? If you’re willing, I’ll loop Cherish into this conversation. She knows kids. She knows all the kids.”

“I would love to speak to your sister. Oh, and I wanted to let you know I’ve obtained several original Tessa Carlysle paintings. She’s well-known in this area, and I think these paintings will be stunning.”

“All tasteful, I presume.”

“But of course.” The man tisked. “Would I do anything gauche?”

“Of course not.”Should I be more involved?I planned to leave everything up to Orlando and just enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor. “Oh, and make certain the master bed isn’t too high off the ground.”

A pause. “Something you’re not telling me?”

“Just that I want it to be easy to get in and out of. Nothing that needs to be climbed up onto.”

“Okay. Any other accommodations?”

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