Page 12 of Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You
“Driven.”
She shakes her head. “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” He palms the countertop on each side of her, caging her in before she can even think about trying to get away. Desire burns in her gaze, boring into his, almost more than he can bear to keep from ravishing her. “I go after what I want, and I always make it mine.”
“I have no idea what I want…” Sweet, strawberry breaths warm his skin as she eliminates the space between them and whispers against his lips, “Except for you.”
Fuck. No more games. She’s his. His mouth crashes against hers, pouring every drop of desire into her breathless moan, reminding her she owns every part of him. Urgent fingers tug on his shirt before slipping underneath the fabric. Fireworks explode across his skin at her burning touch, gliding up his back, drawing him closer.
“No kissing in kitchen.” Marta’s voice douses his throbbing need like ice water. Need to tie a fucking bell on that woman. “Is for eating.”
Shae laughs against his cheek and squeezes his waist before stepping out of his embrace. “I’m sorry. We were just cleaning up.”
“Leave to me.” The housekeeper yanks open the refrigerator door and lifts out a silver bowl of sliced mangoes, pineapple, and peaches. “You just eat.”
Shae’s eyes widen in realization as she glances from the container to the hint of a smile flickering on Marta’s worry-lined face. “Did you buy all of this fruit for me?”
“I know what is proper. You too skinny, have skinny baby. No good. I fatten both you up.”
“Thank you.” Shae grasps the older woman’s free hand, her voice cracking before she swallows. “I promise I’ll eat all I can.”
Marta nods her approval before turning on him, her stiff finger wagging at his chest. “You take care of her. No more of the working.”
He fights an eye roll at her demands. Marta shows her concern the only way she knows how. By taking care of her. Of all of them. Giving Shae the mothering love she needs, just like she has for him all these years. Instead, he puts his hands up in defeat, ignoring Marta’s glare and Shae’s giggle next to him. “Yes, ma’am.”
In the less than twenty-four hours Shae’s been back, the mood of the entire house has shifted. As if the lights have been turned on and all the windows opened. Her presence like sunshine breaking through the darkness. Everyone almost as happy as he is at her return.
“Good. Now go.” Marta’s slightly gnarled hands flick in his direction, dismissing them from her domain.
“Fine. We’re leaving.” He scoops Shae up, her squeal echoing through the narrow hallway as he strides toward the garage.
“You know, I can walk.”
“Nope. Marta’s orders.”
Now, it’s her turn to roll her eyes and laugh. But she doesn’t fight him. Her head droops to his shoulder, her body softening and snuggling in. She’s exhausted. All of her resiliency tapped out. Not as fragile as she looks, yet spent beyond her limits. Because of him. And he refuses to push them anymore.
“Wait! What about my shoes?”
“Got ‘em.”
He stoops to let her grab a pair of silver sandals from the tile before nudging open the door with his shoulder, cradling her legs tighter to keep them from bumping the wood. The smile on Jacks’ face at his antics is no comparison to the one lighting her angelic face as he sits her on the leather seat. Enough to make him survive the harshest torture just to see it again. He nods at the chauffeur and climbs in, curling her against him, welcoming her soft sigh on his shoulder.
“I like this.” Pink tipped fingers glide over his, entwining his hand with her gentle grip.
“What?”
“Being with you. Just relaxed. I missed you, and for so long, I didn’t think we would ever have it again. So, even the simple things—hanging out, doing the dishes, you grilling for us last night—are perfect.”
His lips brush her forehead, holding back the deluge of apologies forming on his tongue. The words as innocent as her intentions. Meant to bring them together. Not punish him for being the stupid bastard who couldn’t see what she knew all along. He shakes his head, fighting against his guilt to let it go. “The way you devoured that steak, I don’t think Marta has anything to worry about with your appetite.” Her shy smile is like a match to his kerosene, lust torching through his body. “It was sexy as hell, with all of your moaning and lip licking.”
“That did not happen.” She tilts her head, her eyebrows rising in protest before she breaks into a huge grin. “Well, maybe it did a little. You’re a good cook.”
“Got to keep my girl happy.”
“I am. Very much.”
Contentment softens her expression, and she cuddles against him again before checking his watch. “When we were apart, I felt so lost…scattered, like pieces of me were everywhere and nowhere at the same time.”
