I watched her wake for the last time just before seven, her eyes fluttering open, dazed and sleepy. Before she could remember too much of the day before, I kissed her. A brush of my lips, my fingers sinking into the silken strands of her hair. Gentle, careful. She was sleepy, but she was definitely awake. I didn’t want to overwhelm her.
I wanted her to choose this.
Choose me.
Choose us.
Her lips opened, her tongue stealing out to graze mine. I groaned deep in my throat at her honest, open desire. Would it always feel like such a gift? That she gave this to me with no reservation?
I thought that it would, and cradling her face in my hands, I fed from her mouth, drinking in her sweetness, her passion, the innocence that would always be hers because it was the core of her open heart.
This time, I was prepared. After I slid off her sleep shirt to feast my eyes on her body, after I tasted her breasts, sucking until she cried out, after I slipped my fingers between her legs to find her ready and eager, I drew the condom from beneath my pillow and rolled it on. I wouldn’t take any more chances with Hope. She deserved better from me. She deserved everything.
This time, I took it slow, easing into her, relieved to see her face showed only pleasure. She raised her knees and spread them wide, rocking up to take me deeper. I couldn’t bear the thought of hurting her. Her mouth seeking mine, her legs wrapped around my hips, I kissed her, drinking in her sighs and moans as I took her slowly, letting it build and grow until the wave of bliss took us both.
I left her for only a minute to take care of the condom, and I was back pulling her into my arms again. She flicked a shy glance my way before resting her cheek on my chest.
“It’s moving day. Do you have a plan?” she asked, amusement in the edges of her voice.
“You mean am I going to stand at the door with a clipboard like a cruise director welcoming my errant siblings home?”
Hope giggled. The sound was sunlight in my soul.
“Fuck that,” I said—and meant it. “I’d rather go to prison.”
Hope propped herself up on her elbow, looking down at me. “About that…”
I knew what she was going to say. I didn’t want to hear it.
“Later,” I murmured, drawing her face down to mine and kissing her again. The gong would ring for breakfast soon. Just enough time to introduce Hope to one of the many ways I could make her come in the shower.
Chapter Thirty-One
Griffen
Hope had a secret smile on her face as we descended the stairs for breakfast. When Savannah met us at the bottom, clipboard in hand, dressed in a housekeeper’s uniform, Hope’s secret smile spread into a wide grin.
“Savannah! You look fantastic! Is this what you meant when you said you figured out a uniform?” Hope walked a circle around Savannah, taking in her calf-length, long-sleeve gray dress in a tight herringbone pattern, starched white apron, black tights, and comfortable-looking shoes.
It was similar to the uniform Miss Martha had worn. I felt compelled to say, “You know you don’t have to wear a uniform.”
Savannah’s lips quirked into a grin. “I know, but it just doesn’t feel right for the housekeeper of Heartstone Manor to show up to work in jeans. I thought about khakis and a polo—that’s the uniform I decided on for the house staff if it works for you—but the housekeeper—”
She spread her arms wide and gestured to the grand entrance hall. It was still dusty, the chandelier wreathed in cobwebs, but I got what she meant. When the house was fully restored to its glory, it would feel wrong to have the housekeeper strolling around in jeans.
“You look great,” I said. “I like the gray better than the black your mom used to wear.”
“Me too,” Hope agreed. “More elegant and easier to keep clean. Black shows dust.”
Savannah winked at her. “Exactly what I was thinking. The pattern is even better than the color for that. Keeps it looking neat even when it’s not. And the skirt length is actually comfortable. I have a similar style in mind for summer. I also got myself a set of the khakis and polos the house staff will wear for when there’s a messy job.”
“I don’t know how you found the time to get all this done,” Hope said as we followed Savannah to the dining room.
“I put my mom on temporary retainer until we fill out the house staff. She knows so much and she can do a lot from home when Nicky’s with her. He’s in preschool this morning so she’ll be training the new cook in the kitchen and serving breakfast. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take that time to go over a few things with you.”