Page 52 of Owned

“I wasn’t going to,” Ten said, sounding offended. “In fact, I expected you to feel this way.”

“Well, great,” I muttered. “Because I didn’t.”

“So, if Charlotte doesn’t get her baby then I go to jail presumably?”

He wasn’t complaining, simply stating the facts. Nevertheless, I glared out the huge kitchen windows at the blue sky above. “No. That’s not happening.”

“I’m a murderer, Atlas.”

“He was a fucking pedophile, Tennyson.” I was annoyed now, because we’d already had this argument and more than once. “And no one’s going to jail, not if we can find a way around this.”

“Presumably if there was a way around it, you would have found it earlier,” Ten pointed out in his irritatingly pedantic way.

I scowled. “Then I’ll just have to fucking try harder this time, won’t I?”

Ten was silent once again. “I’ll call Cal, see what we’ve got to work with,” he said at last. “I’m sure there’s something we can use against her.”

“Okay. I’ve got to deal with Rowan right now, but keep me posted.”

I hit the end button just as she appeared on the stairs, so I put my phone in my pocket and folded my arms, watching her descend.

Her hair was hanging loose and damp down her back, her face pink and freshly scrubbed, and she was wearing the T-shirt I’d laid out for her just after she’d gotten into the tub. It was an old dark blue one of mine and it pleased me to see her in it. She looked delicious, even though the tee was more than a couple of sizes too big and the hem came down to mid-thigh, the sleeves nearly to her elbows. I wanted to fuck her while she was wearing it then maybe sit her on the table and take a good long time having her pussy for lunch instead of actual food.

But not yet. There were several conversations we had to have before we got to the fun stuff.

I gestured to the table and the food I’d set out. Crusty bread and good butter. Salad and cold meats and some truly excellent cheeses. Plus the bottle of champagne that I’d just happened to have chilling in the fridge.

Her eyes widened when she saw the food, which also pleased me. Clearly she hadn’t expected lunch to be provided, but that was something she’d quickly get used to. Me, providing her with everything she needed.

I pulled out the chair at the head of the table and sat in it. “Come here, beauty.”

She came over, pulling out the chair beside me, but I shook my head. “I think you know where to sit.”

Color crept into her cheeks, making her look even more luminous than she already did, not to mention heartbreakingly young. I was probably about to give her too much too soon, but the time for holding back was past, especially with the possibility of a pregnancy on the table.

She frowned. “It’s not big enough for both of us.”

“Au contraire.” I grabbed her, pulling her onto my lap. “See? Plenty of room.”

She gave a little snort, but relaxed against me without any hesitation this time. “Thank you for the bath. It was lovely.”

I took a piece of the bread I’d already cut and proceeded to spread some butter on it. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. But I hope you didn’t do what I told you not to.”

A delicate flush stained her cheeks. “I didn’t,” she said primly.

I studied her for a moment, watching as her gaze met mine for a second then flickered away. Deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt, I handed her the piece of bread. “Just as well. I’m not sure you’re up for punishments just yet.”

She took a bite out of it. “Thank you for the lunch too,” she said as she chewed. “This is nice.”

Her warm weight in my lap was tantalizing and I liked how she felt against me. It might take her some time to get used to being physical with me, but this was a good start.

“Nice,” I echoed, amused. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a meal with a woman who said it was ‘nice’.”

Rowan looked up at me from beneath her dark lashes. “You have meals with women?”

I caught the half teasing note in her voice and smiled. “Actually, no. I usually make meals of women.”

She blushed at that, but as she did, I realized suddenly that it was true. I’d never done dinner dates with women, and I’d never cooked them meals. The only time I’d ever done that kind of domestic thing was with Cait.

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