Chapter Sixteen
Graham sat in one of the chairs, studying his wife as he had his morning coffee. He had wanted to wake her to tell her the news, but she desperately needed sleep.
His heartbeat accelerated when she rolled to her back and blinked up at the ceiling.
“Good morning.”
Her head jerked his way.
“How did you sleep, baby?”
“How did I get into the bed?” she asked.
“I carried you. We’ll never sleep apart. Not for one night.”
She sighed and looked away.
“I won’t ever take a mistress. I can’t see wanting to touch another woman other than you.”
“But we’ve only just gotten married. What if you get bored with me?”
“We’ll make sure that never happens.”
“How?” she asked.
“You’ll always give me what I want,” he said.
He watched her expression for a moment. “You’ll always be mine and just mine. No other man will ever touch you.”
“What are the things you’re going to want?” she asked.
“Your body, for one. If I want to fuck you in front of people, you’ll let me.”
“Wait—” She sat up abruptly and covered herself with the blanket.
“No. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but it’s just an example of what might.”
“You’d do something to me that you know I’d hate?”
He could see the tears that filled her eyes. He hated knowing he was making her upset, but she needed to know his intentions from the start so she could get used to them.
“No. I’d never do anything to harm or embarrass you. I might push you sometimes into doing things you might not want to try, but if I feel you’re ready and I know you’d enjoy it, I’ll do it.”
She didn’t fight him, but he could tell she was uncomfortable with the idea.
“Why don’t you shower and dress. I want you to eat breakfast before I show you something I think you’ll be pleased with.”
He had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing when she slid out of bed and realized she was naked and sprinted toward the bathroom.
Fuck, he could stare at her all day long. Every move she made was feminine and graceful. She was the prettiest woman he’d ever seen, and his cock got hard just thinking about her.
He didn’t have long to wait before she came out in a sundress and sandals. Getting her clothes was on his list for the day because he wanted her to wear the things he bought her.
“Come and eat.”
She sat down and filled a plate with fruit and a danish.
“Would you like some coffee, baby?”
“Yes, please.”
He poured her a cup and then sat back to watch her. “I see you didn’t eat anything last night.”
She shook her head without looking up at him.
“I won’t have you go without eating like that. I want you healthy.”
“I am.”
“Can you tell me that you’re normally this thin?”
She shook her head. “No. I’ve lost some weight.”
“Well, we’re going to work on getting it put back on. There’s an exercise room in the basement that you might like. Beth uses it sometimes. But she mainly likes to be outdoors gardening or walking.”
“I enjoy that, too. Is everything okay with her and your brother?”
“Yes. I didn’t doubt for a moment that he’d fix the problem. I’ve never seen Alastair as happy as he is with her. She settles him down and can cool his temper just by touching his arm. When things would piss him off in the past, we’d have to worry about him killing someone for the slightest transgression.”
She gasped, making him laugh.
“They deserved it most of the time, and all of them were what society calls immoral and evil.”
“Are you like that?” she asked.
“To a point. My temper isn’t as volatile as his and Duncan’s.”
“One of the brothers I met?”
“Yes. Are you ready?”
She set her cup down and nodded.
He turned at the door and held out his hand, which she took right away. Then he led her down another long hallway.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“To my brother Blake’s suite.”
“Oh.”
He was excited to see her expression when she saw her sister. He wanted to please her in any way he could because he wanted her to be happy and not want to leave him.
Not that he’d ever let her, but it would be easier if she were happy.