“That man loves you. I promise you that.”
“You lived here when he was single, right?” I ask.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Did you see any of the girls he dated before me?” I glance over my shoulder to look at Nova. She’s staring right at me.
“You're the only girl I've ever seen him with.”
“Are you saying that to spare me?”
“No! I swear to you. I’ve never seen him with anyone before.” She pushes her chair back from the kitchen island and walks over to me. “Are you sure this doesn’t have something to do with you not getting pregnant yet?”
“I don’t know.” I turn off the sauce on the stove, then put the lid on it. Everything is ready. I’ll only have to heat the bread. Now I need my husband to get home. Seeing him and knowing he’s here always puts me at ease.
“The doctor said to give it time. Stop worrying.”
I let out a long breath. “You’re right. I think I spend too much time in my head.” I wrap my arms around Nova, hugging her close. “Let me show you some stuff I ordered.” I pull her out of the kitchen and into the master suite.
“Quinn!” Nova takes in the lingerie I have laid out on the bed.
“I really love the white, but I want to be sexy. Should I do the red?”
“Honestly, I think the white is just as, if not more, sexy than the red. It screams innocence. Play that up.” She’s trying to tease me.
“I think my innocence might be part of the problem.”
“What does that mean?”
My face starts to heat. “Nothing. White it is.” I grab the red lingerie off the bed and put it away in the closet. “You gotta go. Logan will be home soon, and I’m going to put this one on.” I pick up the white nightie. My phone dings, alerting me that I have a message.
I pull it out from my pocket to see a text from Logan. My heart sinks as I read it.
“Looks like I won’t be needing this one either.” I walk over and put the white nightie away as well. I hold back the tears that threaten to fall. “I think there’s going to be more than enough spaghetti for you. Stay, please.”
“Oh, Quinn.” She gives me another hug. This time I can’t help but burst into tears.
2
Logan
The last drop of blood washes out of my shirt with a few more dabs of cold water. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I don’t look at it. I already know what it is. Another contract. Then again, I suppose it could be the Brotherhood with their veiled threats. It doesn’t matter, I won’t be joining up. I’m independent and intend to stay that way.
Once I’m cleaned up, I check myself in the mirror and run a hand through my hair. Quinn deserves me at my best, not in a mess from whatever job I’ve just been on.
“You’re in trouble.” Nova leans against the doorframe behind me.
“I tried to get back as fast as I could.” I turn to meet her chiding expression head on.
“She was going to wear a nightie. A sweet little white one.”
My cock likes the sound of that. Actually, anything to do with Quinn. My sweet little wife is an absolute sex bomb; she just hasn’t realized it yet.
“And she made you dinner and cupcakes. But you didn’t show.” Nova tsks and shakes her head.
“I’m going to make up for it.” I point to the animal carrier I put on her entry table.
She casts a glance at it. “I saw it. ” She raises a brow. “You know my last boyfriend was a cat person.” She shivers. “I’d wake up at midnight with his cat on my chest, just staring down at me with murder in her eyes. Like she was jealous, you know? I don’t know how I survived it, to be honest. Seems like dog people are saner, maybe?”
“This cat isn’t like that.” At least I think it’s not. I picked it up from the pound this afternoon. To its credit, it let me do my work assignment without making a peep and accepted treats and pets from me once we were on our way home.
“We’ll see.” She peers into the cage. “Don’t hurt my girl, lil feline.”
“Not on my watch.” I grab the cage and gesture toward the door. Nova opens it for me. “Good luck. I cheered her up as much as I could, but you’re definitely in the doghouse. You have to get a grip on your calendar. You’re a married man now. You can’t be coming and going at all hours.”
“I’ll handle it. These contracts have to slow down sometime soon.” I wait for her to close the door behind me, then hit the elevator to the penthouse.
When I walk in, the place is quiet. I can smell the lingering scent of spaghetti sauce and garlic bread. My stomach growls as I place my briefcase and cat supplies on the kitchen counter, then continue toward the master bedroom with the cage in hand.