Page 68 of Wine & Whiskey
He reaches backward and takes her hand, bringing it to his mouth and kissing it, the buttery taste of almonds on her silky skin. “Sometimes I forget, but you’re right.”
“I just want to be with you and not think about anything else for a while.” A hint of despair tinges her voice.
His conscience wins. He’ll be everything she needs tonight to know his love is worth the sacrifices she’s been forced to make. “Then that’s what we’ll do.” He guides her to the side of the bed. Her robe drifts to the floor, and she lies down, reaching out for him. The despondency in her eyes reflects how much she needs his comfort, for him to make her feel safe and cherished. “Roll over.”
She drops her hand and raises her eyebrows, the trace of a smirk on her pink lips.
Shaking his head at her question, he laughs, enticing her real smile to finally emerge. If only for a breath, she’s happy. Because of him. In spite of him. “Just do it.”
His fingers dip into the little jar, and he rubs his hands together, warming the lotion before touching her delicate skin. A small sigh escapes her lips as he glides down her back. The muscles relax under his palms, and he kneads her neck and shoulders, fighting every desire not to follow his fingers with his lips, ignoring the twitching of his groin at her tiny mews of pleasure.
After a few minutes, she lifts up, but he gently presses her back against the mattress. She deserves so much more than just a brief moment of pampering. Softening under his hands, she closes her eyes and smiles as she snuggles back in. “Is it true you’ve never had anyone waiting for you before?”
“Yeah, why?”
“We’ve never talked about it, and I didn’t know if you’d ever lived with anyone.”
He sits next to her, caressing the curve of her lower back, so beautiful without those fucking bruises marring her ivory skin. “Am I doing it wrong? It’s only the second day. I can do better.”
Her body shakes from laughter. “No, you’re doing fine.”
“Good. I didn’t want to scare you off by being a bad roommate.”
The long, low rumbling of his stomach makes her giggle again. This time, he lets her roll over, intoxicating him with her soft smile and bright eyes, amplifying his guilt for the dirty thoughts rolling through him at her naked body lying beside him.
“Come on. We’d better get you fed.”
God damn, she’s fucking beautiful.His breath hitches as she slides on tiny panties not even worth wearing. Her graceful fingers brush across her pink nipples before fastening the clasps of her white, lacy bra between her breasts and pulling on her dress. She slips her hand into his and leans against his shoulder as they walk downstairs, grounding him with her intimate touch, an aching reminder she belongs here with him. No matter how long it takes her to believe it.
Rosemary and lemon permeate the air, making his stomach growl louder. Marta stands next to the stove, slicing roasted chicken onto a plate over potatoes and green beans. “Thank you, Marta. I’m starving.”
“Is new recipe, but good. You eat then I come back.”
Shae pours wine for herself and water for him along with a small tumbler of whiskey. “It’s okay, Marta. We can clean up.”
“No. Is my kitchen. I keep everything proper. You leave to me.”
Sparkles dance in Shae’s eyes as she shakes her head after the housekeeper leaves. “You’re so spoiled. She won’t even let you put away your own dishes.”
He puts up his hands in defense, unwilling to be in trouble with her too. “She’s very territorial about her kitchen. You wouldn’t believe how she fussed at me after I cooked you dinner.”
Her eyes widen, guilt furrowing her brow. “But we cleaned up everything.”
“Not to her standards. I didn’t know my first time would also be my last time. So, it’s a good thing I don’t have to try and impress you anymore with my cooking skills.”
She gives him that shocked look again, like no one ever surprises her with little gestures to remind her how much she’s loved. Confirming even more Evan’s a fucking idiot and never deserved her.
“That was the first time you ever made dinner for a date?”
He nods, meeting her deep gaze as she studies him, as if trying to really see him, really understand what’s underneath.
“I guess I thought…” She smiles at him, the genuine one he would give up everything he owns to see. “It doesn’t matter. You make me feel very special.”
Max clears his throat before walking into the kitchen and grabbing a plate, piling on meat and vegetables. “Sorry to interrupt, but Carter’s on his way in. He has the acquisition contract from Janice for you to sign.”
Shae laughs as she pours glasses of water and whiskey for Max too. “Didn’t you get enough the first time?”
“This is my midnight snack.”
