Page 104 of The Beast's Heart

I turn in his arms. “But the foundation. You… this must have cost a fortune.” I don’t want that. I don’t want nice clothes at the expense of the charity. Ray and Meredith’s argument flies through my mind.

Adam shakes his head, looking down at me with such tenderness that I’m taken aback. “I had help. I have a friend inNew York who has contacts. And he knows a lot more about this type of thing than I do. I’m afraid fashion remains beyond me.”

“You’re…” I don’t know what to say. First the glasses, now this. “You’re incredible.”

“Let’s hope you still believe that once you look closely. It was something of an educational experience. Apparently collar gaps are a thing? And don’t get me started on lining—I probably chose the wrong ones. And then there’s the fab?—”

I cut him off with a kiss and we keep kissing for a long time after.

41

ADAM

Jonathan’s birthday seems to go well. Ray has baked a cake and the children have made cards. They sing to him and he blushes prettily. Then the kids emotionally blackmail him into playing a game of Monopoly. We let them win (because that’s the only way to ensure a family stays together post-Monopoly). Then we take them upstairs and put them to bed. It feels good. Almost too good. This domestic bliss is something I could get used to.

“I have a question for you,” I say, as we close the door on a sleeping Enrique. Jonathan likes to check on him again once all the others are in bed.

“Oh? Well, you can ask me anything,” he says, a flicker of the concern from earlier crossing his face. I’ve worried him and I hate that.

I drop my voice, just in case there are any wakeful little ears beyond these doors. “How would you feel about spending the night with me?”

His eyes widen a fraction. “I… you mean, in your room?”

I draw him close, my hands on his hips. “That would be the general idea, yes.”

Jonathan’s brow furrows and I immediately regret asking.

“I’m sorry. I know I’m probably rushing things.”

He presses a hand to my chest. “It’s not that. I want to. It’s just, the children sometimes wake during the night. They need to know where to find me.”

My heart clenches. He’s so darn sweet. I kiss his forehead. “All right, what if I promise not to let you sleep?”

He looks up sharply as my meaning becomes clear. I search his expression. Does he want this? Maybe it is too soon.

His gaze slides from mine. “Is this… is this because it’s my birthday?”

“Mmm it could be.”

A small furrow between his eyebrows. Wrong answer.

I run my hands up his sides and lean my head forward, pressing my forehead to his. “Jonathan,” I murmur. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want.”

“I want.” His fist tightens in my shirt. “Oh, I want. I just don’t want you to feel obligated to do anything special for me. You’ve already done so much.”

I pull away and tilt his chin up to search his gaze, try to find some meaning in those words. Why would he think that? Have I not made it clear enough how crazy I am for him?

I kiss him deeply, trying to show my intention. After all our kisses earlier, my engine is still revved up. It’s all I can do to stop myself undressing him here in the corridor. “I want you, Jonathan. In case that wasn’t clear. I’ve wanted you every night this week. I’ve wanted you for many nights before that. If it was up to me, I’d never take my hands off you.”

He takes the back of my neck and guides my mouth back down to his.

We kiss our way across the house, already panting by the time we close my bedroom door behind us. Jonathan starts pulling at my shirt, but I position him in front of the mirror as I kiss his neck. He closes his eyes, leaning back against me.

“Watch,” I whisper.

His gaze locks with mine in the mirror as I slowly unbutton his shirt. It’s one of the new ones. I slip it off his shoulders and he tenses, eyes sliding away from the view. I take his chin and turn his gaze back. “Watch.”

The lights are down low. My room isn’t well lit at night. I prefer it that way. It feels less stark, less empty. In the lamplight his skin glows, smooth and pale like marble. His hair curls gently at his neck, looking golden and godlike.

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