Page 59 of The Billionaire's Bride
"Not unhappy." He rubs the back of his neck. "Incomplete. Then I saw you and knew my life had changed forever. That I’d never be whole, not until I had you in my life."
I glance away. "Ed, please."
"No pressure, Eve." He chuckles but his voice is serious, "You take your time deciding, honestly."
I peer at him from under my eyelashes, "Are you sure about that, Ed?"
"Of course." He turns his hand face up, so our palms kiss. Goosebumps pop on my skin. Heat radiates out from the point of contact, and arrows straight to the space between my legs. I swallow and my throat feels too dry. He leans froward in his chair and his bare feet brush mine. Heat from his body flows over me, surrounds me, engulfs me. My thighs clench. His amber eyes flare and he closes the distance between us, places his lips right in front of mine. His nose bumps mine and we share breath. I part my lips and he tilts his head. When Baron opens the door that leads in from the laundry room into the kitchen, I spring back, my cheeks heating. I glance at Baron who watches us carefully.
"I didn’t." I swallow. "We didn’t... I mean." I stumble over the words. Oh hell, I didn’t do anything wrong, so why the hell do I feel this guilty? "Baron, it’s not what it seems like," I insist.
"It’s okay, Ava," Baron says, his voice casual, "I understand."
"You do?"
He nods, "We had a talk, Ed and I, when you were asleep."
"You did?" I frown, glance between them. "What did you guys speak about?"
"You," Ed grins back, his tone lazy, “of course.”
"Of course." I fold my arms in my lap, "And what was it that you guys discussed?"
"The terms of how we’re going to stay here."
"Stay here?" I glance around the space, "Not that I have any complaints with it or anything... It’s a nice house, but I need to get back."
"You’re not." Baron pours out a cup of coffee, adds in three spoonfuls of sugar, plops in a drop of milk. He stirs it, then brings it over to me, along with a plate of food which he places in front of me.
I glance at the baked beans, hash browns, fried tomatoes and mushrooms, along with the thick slices of toast. Of course, he remembers that I am vegetarian. He’s always one step ahead of me.
I dig into the food, am half way through the contents of my plate before I look up. Both of them are watching me with varying degrees of amusement.
"What?" I mumble as I chew on the hash browns, which have been cooked perfectly, by the way, something which I’ve never managed to get right. "Why are you two staring?" I scowl.
"You’ve got…something…" Edward leans forward and scoops up some food from the side of my mouth. He brings his finger to his mouth and licks it off.
Heat sears my skin. My toes curl. Shit, one gesture from him and I am putty. I place my fork down, reach for my coffee and take a sip. I can’t stop the smile that curves my lips, "Just how I like it."
"You’re welcome." Baron smirks.
"Doesn’t change the fact that I need to return to my place. My classes are going to start in…" I glance around, can’t spot a clock that indicates the time, "What time is it?"
Edward glances at his watch, "It’s 10 am."
"In three hours." I take another sip of the coffee, place the cup down. "In fact, I need to be getting back right away."
I stand up, glance between them, "Which of you two gentleman is going to drive me back?"
They glare at each other. A look passes between them, then Baron turns to me, "You’re not going anywhere Ava."
"What do you mean?" I laugh, "Of course, I am."
"Even if one of us were to drive you, which we are not," Edward tips his chin up, "we wouldn’t reach your place in three hours."
"How far can we be from my place?"
"Have you taken a look outside?" Edward nods toward the window.
