Page 89 of Flame
“Deal.”
We climb off the bed, and I search for bubble bath. It feels like it’s time to get clean, knowing that my husband will soon be making me dirty all over again.
CHAPTER20
Bianca
Moonlight streams through the open curtains, creating a romantic, sultry glow around the bedroom. Foxx lies in the middle of the bed with his arm curled around me. He holds me tight against him.
I considered joking about him taking up most of the king-sized real estate. But it occurs to me that it might be his way of ensuring I stay close to him. If that’s the case, I don’t want to ruin his plan, nor do I want to embarrass him.
Foxx has blossomed in front of me tonight. He sat in the bath with me, refilling the tub with hot water twice. He seemed perfectly content to listen to my stories and only interrupted me to ask questions, give thoughtful advice, or tease me.The teasing was my favorite.
His chest rises and falls smoothly beneath my cheek. He strokes my arm, occasionally pulling me tighter as if the inch I’ve fallen away from him is too much. His body is hard yet relaxed. This is the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him.
“Today has been magical,” I say, my eyelids heavy.
The events of the past twenty-four hours begin to accumulate on me. A wedding, reception, drive to Silver Springs. I had sex for the first time with my husband. A long, hot bath with the sexiest man alive and had delicious room service. I feel more seen and treasured than I knew was possible.
He hums. The sound rumbles through his body, tickling my cheek.
“I have to admit that the day started out strong but continued to get better as it went on,” he says, trailing his fingertips across my skin.
I smile against him.
“Where do you want to go for our real honeymoon?” His tone is husky from the late hour. The grit of it pulls at my core.
“What do you mean? This is our real honeymoon.”
“I suppose to some degree. But this is a generic version of what I want to deliver.”
I run my hand down his muscled abdomen. “Mr. Carmichael, there was nothing generic about what you delivered.”
He chuckles. “I’m glad you think so. But I fully intend on taking you on an actual honeymoon. I just haven’t figured out where that place might be.”
“That’s unnecessary, you know. I would want to do the same thing we’re doing here, regardless of where we were on the planet.”
He bends his head and plants a kiss on the top of my head.
My heart flutters at the sweet gesture. I try not to think too much about it. Otherwise, I’ll internally spiral about it ending, about the mess at home … about returning to Nashville.
The idea of going back to Nashville fills me with dread. Things have been so lovely with Foxx—so comfortable and effortlessly easy. It’s a version ofthe grass is always greener; we’re living in a fictional, idealized world without real-life problems. Still, it’s been a breath of fresh air.
And I really like myself here.
“Where would you go?” I ask, cuddling closer against him. “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?”
He laughs softly. I look at him just in time to catch a smile.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
He shakes his head.
“No,” I say, laughing, too. “Tell me. I’m your wife now. You can’t just blow me off.”
His eyes darken.
The heat of his gaze coils in my core, and I squirm. “Tell me, and I’ll do something about that.”
