She’s making that face, the one generally followed by an “aww.” “That’s really generous.”
“Not really. She gets the funds she needs for her bills and I get a clean place to live. It’s a good partnership.” As this one will be as well.
She sits up and crisscrosses her legs. She still has the sheet tucked under her arms and I’d like to give it another yank. “Will you be taking me home on your way to the firm?”
I forgot to tell her. “I worked late the past two nights so I could have today off. I was hoping you’d want to spend it with me.”
She’s all smiles. “I’d like that very much, but I need a change of clothes.” She crinkles her nose again. “And a toothbrush.”
The toothbrush is an easy fix but everything else could be a problem. “We’ll go by your place and pick up an overnight bag.”
“An overnight bag as in the one I should have had for last night, or one for tonight?”
“Both.”
* * *
I wait on the sofa while Bleu gathers her things. “Do I need an outfit for going out tonight?” she calls from the bedroom.
It’s the third time she’s yelled to ask me a question so I get up and go to her bedroom. “Do you want me to take you out?”
She jerks around and yelps. “Shit! I thought you were still in the living room.”
I laugh. “Do you want to go out?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “Dinner and dancing?”
“Sure, if it’s what you want.”
She takes out a black dress and holds the hanger at her shoulders to display how it might look on her. “Do you like this one?”
It looks really short. “Aye. I bet you look great in it.”
She tosses it on the bed next to her bag and packs a pair of tall, red heels to go with it.
“Where do you keep your bras and knickers?”
Her brow lifts and she points toward a small chest. “Top one.”
I open the drawer and go through her intimates, choosing the ones I like best. I hold up a red lace G-string with matching bra. “You have some exceptionally sexy garments for someone not having sex.”
“I like the way they make me feel. Would you prefer I wear granny panties?”
“I don’t know what granny panties are.”
“Never mind.” She laughs. “You don’t want to know.”
I hold up a satin bra I don’t particularly care for. “I’d like to take you shopping so I can choose sexy things for you to wear.”
“Do you have any idea how overbearing that sounds?”
I don’t care. “I want you to have pretty things.”
“I have plenty of pretty things.”
“You do.” But she deserves quality pieces. These items were bought on a photographer’s budget. “I think we can do better. And it’ll be fun.”
She’s frowning. “I’ll feel like I owe you.”
“You won’t owe me.” I move toward her and push her back against the wall. I encage her within my hold, pressing my hands against the wall on each side of her head. “If you belonged to me, it would be my job to give you everything you need. And want. I’d very much like to claim you.”
“What does that mean? To claim me?”
“It’s me saying you’re mine and no one else’s. I take responsibility for you and your well-being. Physically—I’ll keep you safe. Financially—I’ll take care of everything you need and want. You won’t work because I’ll see to all your expenses.” She gave me her virginity. I’m the only man to ever have her. I plan to keep it that way. “Sexually, we’ve already worked that one out. I’m the only man you’ll give yourself to and vice versa. I won’t be with other women.”
“It sounds like a formal arrangement. Is this a well-known practice observed by The Fellowship?”
“Yes, but ours would be a little different. You’re an outsider so you wouldn’t be an acceptable consort for me to claim. We’d be forced to keep it a secret from the brothers, except for Jamie and Leith.”
“I’m feeling very discriminated against right now.”
“It’s a rule put in place to prohibit us from going outside the conglomerate to find romantic relationships. It’s necessary to enforce, but I know your intentions. The Fellowship need not fear you.”
“I suppose I’m not very threatening.” She laughs.
“Not so much.”
“You said you’d protect me? Is there a reason I need protection?”
“I recall you having an issue with grabby hands and I resolved that for you.”
“We solved that problem together.”
“Okay, I’ll give you that one.”
“Financially. I might have a problem with that one. I don’t like feeling like I’m not making my own way.”
“Then you can do some freelance photography if you like.”
“You mentioned taking care of me sexually. It’s part of claiming?”
“I enjoy having you in my bed. I’d like you to be in it every night.”
“That sounds like you’re asking me to move in.”
She catches on quickly. “I am.”
“We’ve spent one night together.”
“I don’t care. I want you there.”
She’s silent.
“Say yes.”
“I don’t know. What if I snore or do things that irritate you?”
“You won’t.” I kiss the side of her face. “Say. Yes. Bonny Bleu.”
“I love hearing you call me that.”
“If you move in, I’ll call you bonny every night.”
“I may only be here a few more weeks if things are wrapped up with Aunt Edy’s estate.”
“Then spend those remaining days with me.”
She bites her lip and squeezes her eyes. “You’re being very persuasive.” She begins nodding. “I guess we can give it a try. Maybe we won’t kill one another.”
“Perfect. Pack what you need for tonight and I’ll send Sterling for the rest of your things tomorrow.”
“You never told me what we were doing today.”
“We’re meeting Leith and Jamie at the gym.”
She puts her hands on her hips. “You want to take me to work out?”
Bleu has an incredibly fit body. “Definitely not. The three of us box, been doing it since we were lads. I thought you might enjoy watching.”