Page 16 of Garnish with a Candy Cane
Dementia can be such a fickle creature. Sometimes Nana can’t remember me – her only grandchild whom she’s raised since I was two. Yet she willingly accepts a dinner invitation from a man she only met once. Duke charms more than just me, I guess.
“See Duchess? I told you I’d never harm her.”
A hint of offense tangles with his encouraging tone. This scary, deadly man has a soft spot for my grandmother, and apparently, doesn’t mind celebrating Christmas a few months too early. I can’t help but laugh and sob at the same time. In less than a day, he gives her everything I’ve never been able to and always wanted. “The air conditioning is blowing.”
“Nah, that’s just a winter storm outside.”
When he winks at me with so much earnest humor in his face, I can’t hold back anymore and shock both of us when I throw myself in his arms. I’m ridiculous for accepting her here like this with him, but I’m grateful how he’s accomplished so much in such a short time to prove himself. “Thank you. This is just too wonderful.”
“You’re welcome.”
While I sound emotional he sounds raspy, which I can feel his desire as much as I can hear with my body pressed against his.
“I’ll do anything for you.”
The desire is contagious, and I have to force myself to back out of his embrace. He growls against my throat but allows me to free myself after a slow stroke of his palm down my back that leaves me with a shiver. Leaves me wanting more. Leaves me wanting him.
But not now. Not in front of my grandmother. Not until I figure out how I really feel about this overwhelming man who gives with an unwavering generosity I struggle to understand. “I hate to spoil her good time but I need to get going soon. My shift starts at eight.”
“No need to rush. You don’t work there anymore.”
All of my joy evaporates as his proclamation sinks in. “What do you mean I don’t work there anymore? What did you do?”
A nonchalant shrug accompanies his head tilting with a satisfied grin. “You resigned. As of now, your only job is to hang out with your grandmother.” He winks with a wickedness that arouses and angers me simultaneously. I don’t know how he manages to stir such emotion in me with just a few words. “And me too of course.”
The only way I have to support us is gone. Stolen from a man everyone else in the city fears, who is now fixated on me. But for how long? When will he get tired of me? Bored with our simple life? Irritated from the cost of supporting us? My body revolts from the panic, and I have to cover my mouth to keep what’s left of my lunch in my stomach. “How could you do this to me?”
She’s beautiful when she’s happy, and she’s fucking glorious when she’s pissed. But when she’s terrified the emotion breaks the heart I didn’t realize I still had. She must think they’ll be mad at her when it’s me who made them angry. I need to clarify quick. “I let them know you weren’t coming back. It’s very simple. When I tell people what to do, they do it.”
“Not me. I–”
“You–.” I start to interrupt so that she doesn’t chip her teeth from clenching them so hard but her grandmother speaks first.
“There you are, sweetie. Come look at this. See what your grandfather thought was a straight Christmas tree.” The older woman nudges the smiling lady next to her with a frail arm. “That poor man couldn’t make a straight line with a ruler.”
Saved by the Nana. Duchess makes her displeasure with me known with her closed mouth scream before spinning around and striding to her grandmother. Leaving me to wonder what other tantalizing sounds that mouth makes. When I’m pleasuring her. Or fuck when she’s pleasuring me.
I force the image of my cock on her tongue out of my head before I’m too hard to join them on their trip down memory lane. Although Noelle doesn’t seem to be enjoying their reminiscing very much. She nods and laughs along with Merry as her grandmother points at different images. Yet anxiety lines her forehead and her body coils so tight she’d explode if I touch her.
“Dinner’s ready, Mr. Toscani.”
Merry’s smile grows even bigger from Tom’s proclamation in the doorway. “It smells wonderful.”
I agree. Although I can’t enjoy Nana’s pleasure with the holiday lights reflecting in the growing shine of Noelle’s eyes. Uncertain if the tears are happy or sad, I can’t take not knowing. I motion to my Duchess. “I’ll carry her to the table. You wait here.”
Merry gives a cute squeal of delight when I effortlessly lift her small, frail body from the sofa and transport her into the dining room, with her nurse and my housekeeper on my heels. I gently sit her on the chair opposite of the head of the table to show her respect as our elder and let the two ladies fuss over her while I stride back to Noelle. She waits sexy as hell just like I asked except she seems more broken than submissive. “Why are you crying?”
Resilient as fuck she hops up and tips her head back to stare me down. “If this doesn’t work out, you’ve left us homeless and broke. I can’t take that chance, especially with her. Do you know how long it took me to get her into a half way decent place? And now you come along and want me to–”
“Shhh.” I rub my thumb across lips slick with the steams of her sorrow and shake my head. “Calm down.”
Her breath stutters from my touch and her eyes fall shut. Not from the ecstasy I hoped – more from defeat. “I fucking guarantee neither of you will ever be homeless or broke because I’m not giving you up.”
My promises force her to look at me again searching for the duplicity I know she thinks she’ll find. Wrong once again but I can understand why she doubts. “Although it won’t ever be necessary, I’ll even have papers drawn up if you want that ensure you’re always financially secure. Because I can make that happen too.”
“I don’t want your money.”
Disgust strains in her whisper. She’s offended by my offer. I know she doesn’t care about my wealth because I know what she really needs. A man who can give her the future she deserves. Who won’t ever mistreat her or her grandmother. Who won’t let her suffer for his mistakes. “I know but I can give that to you too. I’m giving you everything you’ve ever wanted and be fucking gloriously happy about doing it.”
