Page 23 of Garnish with a Candy Cane
Silent as I guide her up the stairs she keeps her gaze focused on our shoes echoing against the marble steps. I know she’s nervous but curious, and I have so much damn respect for her resiliency. “In here, Duchess.”
For the first time since we arrived, her feet falter as she stares at my enormous room after I push open the door. Her entire shitty apartment could fit in the space, and I hope she’s pleased with her new home as well as her new life.
Unable to decipher the expression on her face, I try to see the room through her eyes. The sitting area and fireplace that I rarely enjoy. The huge custom-made bed so I could sprawl out comfortably but will be even fucking better with her next to me. And, someday our kids and dog and whatever else she wants. The walk-in closet that already contains her clothes. Although she doesn’t realize it yet, all of her personal items have been moved here from her apartment. I had them leave her crappy furniture. She doesn’t need any reminders of her past when her future has already been determined.
Yet she doesn’t seem to notice her belongings or anything else. Her gaze keeps flitting to mine, searching for some other message than the one I intend to convey – I want her here. “Welcome home.”
Doubt smothers her response except for a hesitant smile. She’s going to make me work for it and fuck if I don’t mind. “Do you want to change clothes or take a shower?”
With a slow nod, she relaxes under my arm realizing I’m not going to ravish her. Yet. “A shower sounds good.”
I lead her into the bathroom and can’t help but chuckle from her enormous eyes taking in my even more enormous bathtub, that’s never been used before. “How about a bubble bath instead?”
Practical battles with appeal and she shakes her head. “No, that’s okay. You don’t have to go to all that trouble.”
Here we go again. I don’t understand why she refuses to let me spoil her. I release her hand only to turn on the taps and grab a container of some kind of bombs that smell like cinnamon sugar Mrs. Adams bought for Noelle upon my request. I figured she knows a hell of a lot more about the cosmetics women like in the bathroom than I do. Instead of a grin, I earn a frown when I toss the balls into the steaming water. “What’s wrong?”
Fuck she’s adorable when she stands up for herself despite not needing too. Her chin lifts as she crosses her arms over her immaculate tits. “You don’t owe me any explanations, but I feel funny about using another woman’s stuff. I should probably just shower at my own place.”
She takes a step back, serious as fuck. Not at all teasing to entice me to chase after her. She really thinks she should leave. So damn polite, but I’m not and lunge forward, grabbing her biceps and holding her in check. “My housekeeper bought these for you. No other women have ever been in here nor will they ever be. This isourbathroom, Duchess.”
A deep inhale rattles her chest as she stares up at me with my assertion sinking in to her stubborn mind. “Okay.”
Thank fuck. I palm her warm skin under my fingers before I set her back on her feet. Unaware I’d jerked her off the floor in my haste to prove myself to her. Shocking to both of us, we’ve actually found an agreement. “Now get your cute ass in there and enjoy it.”
The furious nod makes me grin too. Fucking her will have to wait. I’m even gentleman enough to let her undress without me groping her. Smart enough to realize I have zero will power when it comes to her, I hightail my ass to the wet bar and make us drinks until I hear her moan of enjoyment float through the open doorway.
Fuck the ever-living fuck. My balls literally ache from her being so close, naked and wet. I have no fucking clue how I’m going to resist her in all her glorious temptation. I stride back in only to see her sitting up straight, hurrying to wash herself. Jesus she is so damn tough on herself.
I hold the whiskey neat in front of her button nose. “Take a drink and relax.”
Grateful as fuck she doesn’t argue and accepts the glass with sparkly bubble fingers, taking a long sip. I grab a towel and fold the thick fabric into a square and motion for her to scoot back. A blush creeps up her neck to her cheeks but again she obeys, laying back onto the improvised pillow. “Enjoy yourself Duchess. We’ve got all night.”
“I know but I feel too…”
The rebuttal dies away from my disapproving growl from her guilt, and she giggles, letting her body finally soften and sink under the foam. I slip the cup from her hand so she can unwind completely. Fuck if a second moan doesn’t harden me completely after she lets her eyes fall shut. “I like spoiling you.”
“I can’t lie, I like you spoiling me.”
“Then get used to it baby girl. This is your new life.”
The smile radiating on her perfect face makes everything I’ve ever had to do to have her here like this so fucking worth it. I take a huge swallow of my booze to calm myself down so she can finish without me jumping in because sitting on the side is almost too dangerous for both of us. We’d flood the entire house if I got ahold of her now.
“Are you close to your parents?”
Her question comes out of nowhere but I love her inquisitiveness. Whether she realizes the meaning or not, she’s trying to build a connection with me too. “Very much. When I took over for my father, he and my mom retired to a secluded island in the Mediterranean.”
She seems pleased with my answer. Makes sense since I know how important family is to her. “They have a massive house on the coast with a pool and a small stable of horses. The weather’s impeccable year round so my mom keeps all the windows open so the ocean breeze blows through every room.”
My Dad gave my mother everything she wanted, just like I plan with Noelle. Both of us ardent believers in happy wife, happy life.
“That sounds fabulous.”
“My sister’s divorced so she lives with them so they can help take care of my nieces.”
I omit that she’s actually a widow since I killed that cheating bastard. Any man who fucks around, especially when his woman is seven months pregnant, deserves to die. That I’m the one who cut out his heart is a moot point since Noelle will never have to worry about me ever disrespecting her in that way. Hell, in any way.
“Will you take me there someday?”
