Page 68 of Caged in Desire
“It’s easy to be welcoming to someone such as yourself, Kat,” she says cryptically, but when I raise an eyebrow, she explains herself.
“I always wondered what kind of woman, or man, would snare my Henry,” she says, eyes sparkling. “I assumed a woman, but really, anything can happen, and as long as my babies are happy.” She waves a hand dismissively and sips her wine.
“She’d have to be very strong, I always thought, to deal with him. He’s got a great strength within him, but a softness, too, that nobody ever really sees. Whoever captured his heart would be soft where he’s strong, but with a steel spine to hold him up when he needed it. She’d have to be whip smart and willing to put him in his place now and then. I had begun to worry this woman didn’t exist,” she continues, reaching over to rub her fingers through LJ’s blond hair.
“It’s an absolute marvel that the woman Henry needed was someone I tormented for years. And I’ll always feel terribly guilty for my part in your adolescent imprisonment, Katarina, please believe me.”
There are tears in her eyes, and I do believe her, but I sense a but coming.
“However,” she says, “the thought has crossed my mind that perhaps the fire of your upbringing was what steeled your spine for him. You’re absolutely perfect for each other, and it justseems impossible that he’s found such happiness. You have no idea what peace you’ve brought me.”
I eye her shrewdly, trying to reconcile the very kind things she’s saying with the fact that she thinks it’s marvelous that she scared my father into imprisoning me for nineteen years under her murderous threats.
What an interesting woman, Blanche Sinclair. Regardless, I choose the high road and smile.
“I love him, Blanche. He brings me peace as well. Being here with your family has been like coming home,” I say.
“They’re your family too, dear,” she replies, looking relieved that I’m not calling her out.
The boys burst in, having shed their shirts, and stand dripping in the entryway. They're all striking, but my husband is a god. His lush hair is wet with snow, my favorite piece roguishly flopping over one eye. His chest heaves with exertion, dark chest hair trailing down his abdomen, happy trail pointing down...
“...for watching him, you’re such a natural. You’ll be wonderful with your own.”
I close my mouth, which had been hanging open, and hand LJ back to Sloane, who I think was thanking me for watching the baby.
Henry inclines his head to the staircase, and I follow him up, feeling the effects of earlier finally dripping down my leg. He opens the door and allows me to enter first before closing and locking the door behind him and resting his forehead against it. I’ve seen this body language before. He’s trying to stay in control.
I’d prefer he lost it.
“Daddy?” I say in my sweetest voice, and the whiny groan he releases goes straight to my core.
Oh yeah. He’s about to snap.Yes please.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, quietly starting to pull off my clothes.
By the time he’s turned around, I’m naked, and that damn piece of hair is in front of his eye again. At this rate, I might be the one to lose it.
“You’re very young, Katarina.” He cocks his head and regards me as he peels off his socks, pants, and underwear.
“I think both of us are very well acquainted with my age, Henry,” I reply evenly, curious about where he’s going with this. The appearance of his hard cock, heavy and already weeping, as it springs free from his briefs, gives me a fairly good indication of what’s in store.
“You’ve been coveting my brother’s baby all weekend, being a huge help to everyone where he’s concerned. Giving Ledger and Sloane such a break that I think they’ll be sending you fruit baskets for a year,” he says, slowly backing me against a wall now, his hard length pressed up my stomach and almost between my breasts with our height difference. Cupping my jaw, he traces my lips before holding me in place by the neck.
Looking down at me, he regards my hips, my waist, before giving me a devilish smile.
“I’m afraid it won’t be comfortable for you, carrying my babies,” he murmurs. “They’re bound to be huge. LJ was nine pounds. And you’re such a tiny thing,” he whispers against my ear, pressing hot kisses down my neck.
Gasping at his words and the sensations, I try to keep my mind in the reality of the moment instead of floating away.
“I think you’re underestimating me, Mr. Sinclair,” I rasp out. “And not for the first time, if you’ll recall.”
He pulls back from my neck to look at me with so much love and pride that I almost forget what’s being said.
“You’re absolutely correct, Mrs. Sinclair,” he whispers, giving me a quick, hot kiss before regarding me seriously again.
“I do think, based on your cycles, you’ll be ovulating soon. If you don’t want…”
“I want,” I say clearly.
