“You’re right.” I leaned down and delivered soft kisses to the inside of each thigh.
“Oh.”
“Are you wet, Emma?”
“Only whenever you’re around.”
“So you’re ready for me?”
She reached for my left hand and twisted the ring. When her gaze met mine, she smiled. “Yes, Rett, I’m ready for you anytime, anyplace. Are you ready for me?”
I winked. “I’ll do my best to keep up.” Standing, I left one last kiss on the top of her head.
As I was walking out of the bathroom, she called my name. I turned back, again looking at her beautiful reflection within the mirror. Her similarities to Jezebel were truly remarkable. Everything Leon had warned me about was manifested in the woman I loved. I was hopelessly bewitched by my wife, and I no longer had any urge to fight it. “What?”
“What do I say...to the reporter?”
“We agreed to leave your mother out of the news.”
Emma nodded. “And Kyle?”
“He was behind what appeared to be an abduction. He wanted to hide the truth, and the truth is that you’re the daughter of Isaiah Boudreau. Don’t let them question that information. Don’t answer about him. There’s no need to lie. Simply state the fact: you are the daughter of Jezebel North and Isaiah Boudreau. If anyone pushes for more, I’ll interrupt and tell them we have proof.”
“Okay. What about Liam?”
I refused to give him the space in my thoughts after what he’d told Johnny. “I see no reason to ever mention his name again, do you?”
Emma’s head shook. “No, I really don’t.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“Hurry,” I said, “The sooner we speak, the sooner they leave us.”
Exiting her suite, I stepped into the hallway and closed the door.
“Sir.”
I spun toward the voice. “You are supposed to be resting.”
“I hoped I could see Mrs. Ramses before her interview.”
I nodded and opened the door again. “Emma, can you come here a minute?” I took a step inside to be certain she’d secured her robe before allowing Ian to enter.
As she stepped into the bedroom, the sash was again tied. I was awed at her simple ability to take my breath away. Even wearing a robe, she was every bit the queen she was born to be.
“What?”
I took a step to the side and allowed Ian to enter.
Emma’s shriek was probably heard all the way downstairs.
“Ian.” She ran toward him, stopping just short. “I was so afraid. I asked but no one would tell me.” She scanned him up and down. “Are you...? Can I hug you?”
“If Mr. Ramses doesn’t mind, I’d like that.”
She gently wrapped her arms around his torso and squeezed before stepping back. “Tell me what happened.”
I answered, “Ian was shot as was Noah.”
Emma’s hand went to her bright red lips. “Noah?”