Page 36 of Within Shadows
“Ouch,” I grunt, frowning back at her, but she doesn’t look up. She stops biting me and prances off without a damn care in the world. I kick the dishwasher shut and lean against the counter, clearing my throat.
“Oh, muse,” I call out, stopping her in her tracks. “You should start running.” That’s all the warning she gets before my feet pound across the floor and I chase after her. Maeve squeals,running straight for my room and tries to shut the door, but I’m faster than she expected and barrel through it. The impact causes her to trip backwards, and I lunge forward, wrapping my arm around her waist and catching her. She’s breathing hard, and even with the wide-eyed look on her face, she’s still smiling. That smile, the one that she saves for me, is the most beautiful sight in the universe. I settle her on her feet and cradle her face in my hands, kissing her softly.
My phone chimes as a bell rings from the house, and I groan.
“Is somebody at the door?” Maeve steps closer, her hands resting on my sides. I wrap an arm around her as I pull out my phone and show her the camera at the gate. The screen shows a driver, tapping his foot as he stares through the bars of our fence. I tap a button on the screen, and the gates swing open as I stroll to the front door.
Maeve is sitting on the floor, staring wide-eyed at the small pile of lace panties. I ordered her all different styles, in every color available, with the word ‘Knox’ on them. She turns a baffled stare in my direction, and I wink at her.
“The matching bras have your name on them too,” she says incredulously while staring at the mounds of undergarments. I shrug and wave a hand dismissively.
“I thought you would enjoy matching sets. You still have a few boxes of clothes to sort through. Like I said, keep everything you like, and whatever you don’t, we can send back.” I flip my knife out, splitting the tape on another box to pull out miscellaneous shirts, pants, skirts, and an exciting amount of mesh clothing.
“This is too much, Knox. I’ll never be able to pay you back,” she groans, but I can see the subtle excitement in her eyes.
“Your undying love and eternal devotion will more than suffice. This,” I wave my hand, encompassing the boxes, “is something you’ll get used to.” I walk over and press a kiss to her head, snagging the navy blue thong and bra to drop in her lap.
“I just request that you wear these first.” I drop onto the bed, propping my head on my arms to watch the way her face reddens. She begins picking through the clothes until she finds the right ones and scurries into the bathroom, giving a defiant smile as the door closes. I’ll let her win this one, just so that I can spend the day knowing that she’s strutting around with my name printed over her pussy. If I see it now, we won’t be leaving this bedroom anytime soon, and I have important plans.
Nearly half an hour later, Maeve emerges from the bathroom and nervously holds her hands out to the side, twirling to show off her outfit. I stop in the doorway to the closet, where nearly all of her clothes are proudly hanging, aside from the drawers I filled in my dresser. Her hair is slicked back in a high pony with long bangs framing her beautiful face; the orange ends curl softly while she nervously bites her lip. She’s wearing a tight-fitted black tank top tucked into ripped black jeans that hug every curve and a sheer white top with flowing white sleeves hanging past her fingertips. The front of the white top plunges low, showing the perfect curve of her cleavage, and I nearly fall to my knees to worship the goddess standing before me.
“You are stunning, my sweet muse. What have I done to deserve you?” My voice is low, and the blush that I adore flares up her neck as she fidgets under my burning gaze. I drop the dress I was in the middle of hanging and stride towards her, scooping her up as I spin her. Maeve wraps her arms around my neck, legs locking around my waist as she giggles.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” she asks, fixing the collar of my black button-up shirt when I set her back on the ground. I take her hand in mine and walk away, whistling to myself without giving her an outright answer. I’m taking my girl out and showing her off.
Chapter 23
Maeve
Knox opens the door for me, holding his hand out to help me climb from my seat, and I raise my brows, glancing back at him. Which is obviously a mistake, because I might start drooling again at how damn good he looks tonight. His hair is tied back in a messy bun, with a black button-up undone just enough to show the top of his chest and the sleeves rolled up to show off those delicious veins I’ve thought about licking once or twice. He is wearing a pair of dark grey jeans, and god, they hug his muscular thighs so well. We haven’t even made it inside the restaurant before I’ve caught at least two women openly staring at him like the most delicious thing here. To be fair, they’re not wrong.
“Why do you look so sour?” Knox asks, leaning close after he hands the valet his keys. I quickly remind myself to fix my face.
“I don’t think I’m dressed for a place this nice,” I whisper as he opens the door for me. Knox looks down at me like I’ve said the most ridiculous thing as he rests his hand on my lower back, guiding me up to the podium where a woman peers down at us over her glasses.
“You’re the most beautiful woman here, muse.” My stomach kicks up to a flutter of a dozen butterflies at the gravelly depth of his voice, and I have to remind myself not to jump him right here and now.
“Table for two?” the woman asks, barely sparing us another look, and Knox nods, his thumb rubbing small circles on my back while we follow her to a booth. Once we are seated and handed menus, I stare at the prices with a frown. Knox reaches across the table and takes my hand in his.
“What’s wrong?” He rubs his thumb over my hand.
“This place is a little over the top.” I try to laugh, but it comes out as an awkward, choked giggle. Knox frowns and looks around.
“We can go somewhere else, Maeve. I just wanted to treat you to a real date. Something you deserve. But if you’reuncomfortable, then we can find somewhere better.” He smiles, but I can see the twinge of pain that flashes across his eyes. I jerk his hand and stop him from standing with a shake of my head.
“No, it’s honestly perfect. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.” I give him a real smile, and he relaxes while I mentally kick myself. He’s gone out of his way to plan this all for me, and instead of worrying about fitting in, I should just enjoy this moment of normality with him. When the young waitress walks up to our table, she gives Knox a bright smile and happily leans close to suggest the lobster tail. He nods politely, but his eyes never once leave mine.
“What are you thinking, my love?” he asks, still cradling my hand in his. She turns a less enthusiastic smile to me, holding her tablet up and giving me a once-over.
“The steak sounds good, well done, please. And the Caesar salad on the side, thank you.” I try my best to smile, but it feels closer to a grimace as she immediately turns her attention back to Knox, flicking her perfectly curled brown hair over her shoulder. Knox shakes his head once, sighing as he stares at the menu.
“I’ll have the same, but medium rare for me.” He gathers our menus, handing them to her.
“Great choice, anything more than that is just overcooked.” She frowns at me for a second before swaying her hips as she struts off.
“Unbelievable,” I snort.
“Extremely, but I suppose I can tolerate your taste in overcooked meat.” He grins, tightening his grip when I try to pull my hand away and glare at him.
