“Why don’t you take your things to the guest room, and I’ll get dinner on the table. Third door on the left is yours.” Fancy motioned down the hallway.
I followed Brian into a moderately sized bedroom. A queen bed covered in a colorful comforter took up the majority of the room. Two tall boy dressers flanked each side, and a woven rug covered most of the floor. Two doors joined the one we just walked through. One led into a small walk-in closet, and the other was slightly ajar, showing off a white tile counter and mirror, indicating we had our own adjoining bathroom.
A vision of showering with Brian popped into my head, sending need shooting straight to my lady bits. Holy hell, this man had me thinking about sex at every turn. I took a moment to watch Brian unpack our bags and appreciate the solid muscle of his physique moving beneath the fabric of his clothing.
He stowed our bags in the closet and stalked toward me. “See something you like, pet?” he asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist and nuzzled his nose against that one spot beneath my ear that revved my engines into high gear.
“Mmhmm” was the only sound I could make as my body screamed to jump the man holding me.
He nibbled my ear and lightly kissed his way to my mouth. I willingly opened for him and sagged against him as his masterful lips devoured mine. He took his time, slowly claiming me with only a kiss. My legs gave out, and if it weren’t for his arms banded around me, I would have wilted into a puddle on the floor.
A soft knock on the door interrupted us. “Dinner’s ready, sir, if you guys are hungry. I can keep it warm if you want to wait.”
Brian released my mouth, resting his forehead against mine as we caught our breath. “We should probably eat. We are going to need our energy tonight.” He kissed my closed lips once more and waited until my legs were steady again. “We’ll be right there, Fancy. It smells delicious.”
My stomach growled again as the scent of roasted meat strengthened when Brian moved to my side. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing pulse before leaving the room. I had never felt this level of excitement and need with any other man before. It was both exhilarating and scary as hell. I could easily let myself fall fast and hard for this man, and my heart wasn’t ready to be broken so soon after the loss of my gran.
Disengaging myself from his touch, I walked out ahead of Brian. I needed to put some space between us to give myself time to analyze the pulses of desire that were coursing through my body, and the emotions skimming across my senses. Brian pulled out a chair for me, but I rounded the table and chose one across from him instead of next to him. Space, I required space. A disapproving growl emanated from his throat, but he didn’t say anything, simply scooted the chair back under the table and sat in the seat across from me.
“This looks wonderful. Thank you, but you didn’t have to go through all the trouble.” I directed my gaze and attention to Fancy as she sat at one end of the table.
“It’s no trouble. I love cooking. I really love baking, but anything to do with the kitchen makes me happy.” She passed the platters of roast, potatoes, and roasted carrots around so we could fill our plates.
I felt Brian’s foot brush mine under the table but still refused to look at him. My head was still foggy. Having him even this close short-circuited my neurons. I jerked my feet away and hooked them beneath my chair. Reality was settling in. I had flown in a private jet thousands of miles from home with a man I had only met a few days ago.
“I hear it’s been a crazy week for you.” Fancy’s voice permeated my inner musings. “I know what that’s like. If you need or want to talk, Genni…I just want you to know I am here and have been told I am a wonderful listener.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her. “I’m fine.”
Brian harrumphed as he dug into his food. I finally glanced at him and immediately wished I hadn’t. His glare wasn’t a happy one. Frustration and concern filled his eyes, along with a promise of punishment later. How I knew that, I couldn’t explain. My body heated. This man cared enough to both worship and reprimand me. Something must be wrong with me to relish the idea of him inflicting any type of pain.
“Where is Zane tonight?” Brian directed his attention to Fancy.
“He went with his daddy to the compound. Brody and I are going to stay at the compound so you two could get a good night’s sleep.” She smiled at me. “He’s not been sleeping well, and even with soundproofing, his screams penetrate every corner of the house. I think his first tooth is trying to break through. He’s been a rather cranky boy.”
“That was nice of you guys, but it wasn’t necessary. I was kinda hopin’ my little nephew would be here.”
“Oh, he’ll be at dinner tomorrow before we go to the club.” Fancy grinned.
We ate in awkward silence for the rest of the meal. Fancy glanced between us as we ate, and I felt bad about creating the dissent in conversation. I put my silverware on my empty plate and settled my hands on my full stomach. “That was wonderful. Thank you so much!” I tried to smile.
Brian stood. “Fancy, that was amazing, but I think Genevieve and I need to talk.” He walked around the table with purpose and stood behind my chair, hands prepared to help me rise.
“Talk about what? I’m curious about what she made for dessert.” I was stalling, and we both knew it.
“Dessert isn’t quite ready,” Fancy replied, “The cake is still cooling, and I need to make the frosting. There’s plenty of time to relax and talk.”
I frowned at her, trying to speak without words that I needed a reason to not talk with Brian.
“Let’s go, pet.” The command in his voice brooked no argument. My body rose from the chair before my brain could stop it. “Good girl,” he whispered as the hand he placed on my lower back directed me out of the kitchen and back down the hallway. He closed the door and sat in the chair facing the bed. “Now tell me what changed so drastically at that dinner table.”
I looked everywhere but at him, my hands wringing in front of me as my nerves hiked into high gear.
“Genni, come here.” Again, the command in his voice had my body moving. I stopped in front of him, between his spread legs, and still avoided his gaze. “Sit.” He threw a pillow at my feet. “On your knees, relax back onto your feet.”
My body relaxed into the submissive position, the one I imagined as I read about the lifestyle in my romance novels. Tension faded from my muscles, and I finally looked at him. His hands rested lightly on his knees as he watched me. There was no anger in his face, no hatred at my hot and cold actions. Deep concern and a commanding presence waited patiently.
“Now, tell me what spooked you.” I opened my mouth and closed it again. “Let me warn you, I will only ask once, and I expect the truth to be spoken.” This was a new side to the man I had met, but my body sagged even more at his tone. My mind stopped buzzing, and the words tumbled from my mouth.
“I’m scared.” Those two words, finally uttered, were a relief.
“I know, pet. What are you scared of?” He leaned forward, taking a piece of my hair in his hand, twirling it through his fingers as his eyes searched my face, patiently waiting for a reply.
“Everything.”