Page 4 of On the Rocks
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize she was?“
“Doesn’t matter. From now on you fucking check with me first before coming inside.”
“Yes, sir. My apologies Mrs. Deveraux.”
Surprisingly, no insolence sounds in his tone from my reprimand. Which is way less harsh than he deserves, but Trinity doesn’t need to be exposed to my rage any more than she has to be.
She peeks out from behind me, a hesitant grimace darting from me to him. “It’s okay, Butcher. No worries at all.”
He slowly nods, taking a few stumbling steps backward. Shocked as I am by her exoneration. “Thank you.”
I keep my attention focused on his retreating back. Bastard’s lucky she’s here, or I’d probably put a bullet into his motherfucking head. Fucking new guys need to be trained better. Taught some fucking manners.
Trinity’s shuddering breath yanks my gaze down to her. Normally, I would end anyone who defies my orders or attempts to minimize my authority. But, it’s impossible to be angry with her. When it’s me who should feel guilty for marrying her into a life she doesn’t know or understand.
Panic lines her pale face. “Please don’t be mad at him. It’s my fault. I should have gotten dressed. I messed up. I’m not used to living with bodyguards. I’m so sorry I?”
Fuck. I refuse to let her fear me. Or what I’ll do. I stroke over her silky hair and down her cheek to lift her chin. “You never have to apologize. They’re here to protect you, not intrude on your life.”
She slides out of my grip, ducking under my gaze. Watching her fingers cross and uncross with a secret she mistakenly thinks only she knows. “I just don’t want you to be mad.”
Because of her. Damn it. I’m a bastard for frightening my sunshine. My peacemaker who wants everything to be okay. Needs everyone to be okay. Because otherwise she gets left behind.
“I should go change.”
Fuck that shit. No one’s going to keep me from admiring my wife’s stunning body. My hands slide around her waist, lifting her to sit on the counter. A sharp shriek bounces off the stainless steel from her bare skin discovering the cold surface, and she tendrils around me instead. Gripping me tight with her shivering body. Even fucking better. “The hell you are. You wear whatever the fuck you want.”
I’m so fucking hard it hurts. Not just from her earnest touch, but the relief softening her taut body. The gratitude in her relaxing expression that I defend her rather than abandon her. Unlike all the other selfish assholes in her life. “And, if I want my wife naked in my kitchen, then that’s what I’ll fucking do.”
Her plump lips part with a small gasp as her fingernails dig into my biceps from her tensing grasp. Fully aware I’m as serious as fuck. Strip her down and bend her over the island to fuck my baby right into her belly.
But, I won’t. Not today anyway. Not with her nervous gaze fliting through the cavernous space. All concrete and metal and stone. Completely open from the front door to the wrap-around balcony. Only broken up by the wooden stairs leading to the bedroom platform, hanging from chains suspended from the thirty foot ceilings. Perfect when I was alone. Or with fuck buddies I didn’t give a damn about exposing to the curious eyes of my men.
But for her, the loft’s too cold and hard. She needs a yard, not a rooftop garden. Real rooms with cozy rugs and fancy paintings on the walls. A nursery she can decorate to the hilt. I kiss her forehead. “I’m building a house for you.”
“What?” Worry seeps through her whisper as she slowly raises her huge blue eyes. Already starting to shine. “You don’t want me here anymore?”
God damn it. She gives me that look. That fucking kicked puppy look that I swore I would never cause to darken her face again. Reminding me that I'm an asshole and need to choose my words more carefully. Because all she’s ever heard in her life is she’s a burden. In the way. Too much trouble.
Not anymore.
Not ever fucking again.
That shit ends now. I thread my fingers into her tumbling braid and yank down. Holding her in place. Forcing her to meet my gaze. To see the absolute sincerity of my vow. “You will always be with me. Wherever I am, you will be too.”
“I will?”
Doubt still hums in her tone. A worry I must eliminate. Permanently. “Fuck yes you will. Because I love you, and I want you to be happy.”
A powerful shudder rolls through her. Absorbing my words deep into the cracks of her splintered heart. That’s been stomped on too many fucking times. Slender fingers cup my cheeks as she holds her forehead to mine.
“I am. More than you’ll ever know.”
I do know, sunshine. And I’m going to make damn sure that never changes. “Good.”
I let her hug me for as long as she needs to. And not think about how bad I want to fuck her with her lips brushing the side of my neck. Ignore my aching cock from her delicate orange blossom scent wafting over me. Her thighs squeezing my waist so hard her pussy's practically fucking my belly button.
“I love you and want you to be happy too.”
