Page 15 of Garnish with a Candy Cane
“This can’t be real. You’re too good to be true.”
“What does that mean?”
Finally, I get to see her incredible face when she spins back to argue with me. All haughty and flushed as she starts tapping on her fingers.
“Why would a rich, powerful, handsome man like you want to be burdened with us and all of our problems?”
Amused I tug her to me. “You think I’m handsome?”
Irritated from my teasing, she twists and struggles to get away. Fighting only makes me harder if that’s possible. I lock her down with her back sheathed against my chest so she can’t deny me any longer. I keep my lips to her ear so she doesn’t miss a word of my guarantee. “You’re not a burden. I’m doing these things to make you happy, which in turn makes me happy. I’m not doing them to hurt you or hold you back. Don’t you want Nana to be well taken care of and never have to eat alone again?”
That stumps her. My rationality conflicting with the irrationality she’s trying to accuse me of. “It still seems wrong.”
“Fuck wrong. I answer to no one and neither should you.”
Except to me of course. Her body softens more, and she rubs her hand across my forearm curled around her throat. “Maybe we can just slow down a little. You know…like go on dates. You can take me out to dinner or the movies.”
“Yes.”
My agreement buoys her confidence. Her head bobs with enthusiasm. “I know you’re very generous. You could buy me flowers occasionally if you want.”
If I want. What the fuck. All I’m going to do is spoil her. “Yes.”
“I’ll cook you dinner sometimes too.”
Wearing nothing but an apron and heels. Maybe just heels. I nod slowly, pretending to think about her suggestion rather than me bending her over the kitchen table and fucking her for dessert. “I’d like that.”
Giddy from my acceptance, she spins around in my loosened grip and beams up at me with her stunning smile. “You can visit my grandma with me too. Anytime you want.”
“No need to visit since she’ll be in my house.”
“Duke!”
Her small hands ball into fists and she slams down her arms taut at her sides with her frustration. I grab her anyway and nuzzle her neck, smooth and delicious from her body wash while she writhes against me.
“You’re the reason women get restraining orders!”
Now that insult makes me growl against her silky skin. She’s pushed me too far and she knows she’s fucked up when she sighs and hugs me. Hesitant at first before she finally snuggles in where she belongs.
“You would never hit me. I know that. But you’re still too much.”
“Too much. Too good. Too generous. You have all of these lame reasons that are just excuses. Trust me, Duchess. Give me a chance to prove myself to you.” I don’t really need for her to agree but she’ll accept her new life that much sooner if she thinks she has a choice. “It’s just dinner. You can sit down and eat Christmas ham, right?”
“Nana loves ham.”
“I know.”
An older woman with pink tipped gray hair pops out from the kitchen only to pause in surprise from our embrace. Shock that I like explodes in her expression. Obviously she’s not used to seeing Noelle with a man’s arms wrapped around her. Tristian’s stupidity is my victory.
The astonishment quickly morphs to approval with the pleased smiled on her face. “I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone honey.”
Noelle sighs against my shoulder but doesn’t argue. Instead she stuns the hell out of me when she slowly nods in agreement to the lady’s acknowledgment. “Jana. This is Duke…my boyfriend.”
The first time I’ve ever been identified by that title and surprisingly I like it. Hell I fucking love the label since it’s bestowed upon me by Noelle. Unable to stop myself, I kiss her cheek in approval and hold out my free hand to shake her former boss’s. No reason not to be polite even though neither of us will ever see her again.
Nana’s fine.
Somehow I knew deep down inside that Duke would never hurt her. But I had to see her for myself, and eliminate the last of doubt in my rational mind that she was in any danger. Tears well up in my eyes as he watches me watch her. She’s more than safe. She’s happy. Wrapped in a huge red blanket edged with white fuzz, she’s tucked against the cushion of an enormous gray sofa. The nicest nurse from Serenity Terrace sits with her as they flip through an old photo album. Two mugs of her favorite peppermint cocoa sit on the black coffee table in front of them and a small fire blazes in the white stone hearth.
