Page 25 of Unwrapped

“No budget.” She reaches over and grabs on to my thigh. “Say the words, Nick. Say them.” Her voice is husky as she talks. She squeezes my thigh, getting me hard instantly. At that moment, I’d agree to whatever she wants.

“No,” I say, sneaking a look at her as I drive. She moves her hand from my thigh and puts her palms together in anticipation. “Budget.” Her shriek fills the car, and I put my free hand to my ear.

“You’re about to be a lot less rich, boyfriend!”

I let out a laugh, relieved to have had this discussion. “Unlikely, pretty girl. Highly unlikely.”

“Lunch first. I’m going to need my strength for all the shopping we’re about to do. And take me somewhere fancy. Somewhere that has white tablecloths. I have a sudden taste for shrimp.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

CHAPTER 17

NICK

“I’m coming over right after work on Tuesday. Why is it taking so long, though? We have all this stuff I need to put out. This place is going to look good enough to go on a cover of a magazine.” She jumps off the kitchen counter and comes and stands next to me. She lifts the lid to the saucepan and smells the sauce inside. I look at her, not saying a word, as I cut a tomato for our salad.

I can see the wheels turning in her head, and I wish I could read her mind. “If you don’t mind, that is.”

“Don’t mind what?”

“That I come over right after work on Tuesday. I just declared that I was coming without asking. It’s your place, and I don’t want to assume—”

I cut her off by reaching over for a cucumber slice and putting it into her mouth.

“You have a key for a reason.” I roll my eyes at her, and she rewards me with a slap on the ass.

“When is that food going to be ready? I’m starving.” I feed her a carrot this time, which she happily takes.

“You are so impatient. It will be ready when it’s ready. Now, come closer and give me a kiss.” She takes a final step, closing all the space between us. She puts her arms around me, gets on her tiptoes, and raises her head. I look into her eyes and slowly lean in for a kiss. I do my best to keep the kiss chaste and reluctantly pull away much too soon.

Unwilling to have her walk away from the kitchen, I put my hands on her waist, pick her up, and set her on the counter while I prepare our salad.

“You want me to do something?”

“I want you to stay right next to me.”

She leans back and lets out a sigh of contentment as she reaches over and strokes my hair. No one has ever played with my hair before, and I find that I like it.

“I still can’t believe you had someone come in here and change our sex sheets. I’m so embarrassed.”

I let out a snort and reluctantly walk away to get the salad dressing.

When we arrived home after shopping for what feels like every Christmas ornament and decoration, Miranda was struck speechless—which is no easy feat—when we walked in to find my housekeeper mopping the floor.

When I explained Olga comes every Friday, like a bat out of hell, she ran up the stairs to the bedroom. I watched, confused, as she pulled back the duvet and checked the sheets.

“I’ve already given her a bonus. Stop worrying about it. We’re going to mess up lots of sheets.”

“Other than the sheets scandal, today has been the best day.” Goosebumps spread throughout my body as she strokes the nape of my neck.

“The sheets scandal? I hope the media doesn’t get wind of it.” I laugh, and when she punches my shoulder, I laugh harder. “You’re adorable, do you know that?”

“I know,” she says, reaching into the salad, but I move the bowl out of her reach. “That’s why all the boys want me.”

I walk away and place the salad on the table. I check my shrimp Alfredo and turn off the burner before I return to her. Stepping in front of her, I spread her legs open and step between them.

“All the boys can want you, but I’m the onlymanwho gets you.” I lean in to kiss her, and when she leans forward to meet me halfway, I pull back. I lift her off the counter and slap her on the ass. “Let’s eat.”

---