Page 55 of Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You
Long hair sways across her shoulders as she shakes her head. “Uh un, it’s too bad to repeat.”
“Not anymore. I’m going to stop swearing for the baby, remember?”
Her bubbly laugh echoes across the room. Too smart to believe his bullshit. He can’t hold back and strides toward her, ready to take her out of his office and back to their bedroom. She reaches for him and grasps his hand, her soft fingers curling around his as he drops down on the edge of the desk.
“I did it. I fired Gail.” Her eyes widen, waiting for his reaction.
Pride pounds in his chest. All she’s ever wanted, but too fearful to do. Until now. She finally accepts what he sees in her. The strength she gives to him she can now use for herself. “I’m impressed. You knew what you wanted and made a tough decision. The right one.”
Pinkness tints her cheeks, glowing at his compliment. Humbling him that she values his opinion. Thrives from his approval. “I had Luther look at my contract and walk me through what I needed to do. It’s going to cost me—”
Fuck that. No way he’ll let her feel guilty for even a second. “I’ll cover it…” He catches himself and shakes his head. This is hers. Her decision. Her moment. “Whatever you need to do. It’s worth it.”
“I can’t perform now. Not like I was anyway.” Her hand brushes across her stomach, a sweet smile touching her lips. “And I want to take a long break after the baby’s born. I’m not sure if I’ll even want to go back to it.”
“Then don’t.”
“It’ll be weird. I’ve been doing this since I was in high school. I don’t know anything different but recording and touring.”
And bearing the weight of supporting her mother and a whole team of ungrateful people through her hard work. The one and only thing he agrees with Jason about—they’re all rich because of her sacrifices. But that stops now. Her needs come first this time. “This is what you want. You can stay home with the baby and then, when you’re ready, look at scripts.”
“Thank you for supporting me on this.”
“Don’t be too appreciative. I’ve got ulterior motives.” He strokes her cheek, her skin bright with happiness. “I won’t have to figure out how to survive you being gone.”
“Yes, but now you’re stuck with me. Unemployed and two more mouths to feed. Do you know what you’ve gotten yourself into?”
The best fucking thing that’s ever happened to him. “I think I can manage it.”
She tucks a wayward hair behind her ear, her gaze dropping in hesitation. Just like his stomach at her uncertainty. “I did something else.”
“What?”
“I stole your idea. I’m giving my house to Carrie and Nathan. I bought it for my mom, and I don’t want anyone else to live there.” Her words come rushing out, as if she needs to justify her decision. Unaware she can do whatever the hell she wants. “She won’t have to move, and they can—”
“I think it’s great.”
Her face lights up, relief filling her eyes and huge smile. “Really?”
“You’re a good friend.”
“It’s more for me than it is for them. It makes me happy. I just hope they like it too.”
Only his angel could feel guilty about being so generous. Regardless of the issues her mother had, she raised a woman with more kindness in her heart than anyone he’s ever known. “Your mom would be proud to know she has such an amazing daughter.” His hands glide to her waist, drawing her up to stand between his legs. But still not close enough. “Just like I am.”
Love mingles with lust in her eyes, and she tugs on his shirt. “You’re pretty special yourself.”
Every nerve in his body lights, the inferno roaring at her fingers sliding over his chest and around the nape of his neck. He’d give his last breath just to feel her body under his hands. His mouth skims to her throat, sucking on the delicate skin shivering underneath his lips. “Let me show you how much.”
“Okay, but I have to do something first.”
A growl radiates against the cashmere at her delay. Nothing is more important than him loving her. Of him reminding her how much he needs her. “What?”
She laughs and tries to wiggle out of his embrace. He forces himself to drop his arms, and let her go. For two seconds. Then it’s on. She walks backward to the door, her gaze never leaving his as her tongue brushes across her lips before they curve into a mischievous smile. Up to something. But he’ll play dumb. For now. “What are you doing?”
A subtletskclacks against her teeth as she frowns and shakes her head. “Locking you in. Now that I’m in charge, you have to do my bidding.”
The click of the deadbolt ricochets across the room, and she strides forward, leaning over the wooden top. Yet just out of his reach, her eyes twinkling with the challenge. “Whatever I say. Here and now.”
