“Chloe, watch it,” I snarl. “You’re really testing my patience,” I say, tossing the papers in my hands down onto the table before standing from the chair, hearing it hit the wall behind me.
“Nolan.” She swallows.
“I’m the one who got a phone call from halfway across the world telling me the woman I love had been drugged. I’m the one that happened to, so you do not get to make this seem like I’m trying to keep you here for my own satisfaction. I’m keeping you here because it’s safe,” I rumble, leaning my head back in frustration.
She has become more and more defiant, and the way I would normally get her to submit cannot occur at this time—not until I know she is completely okay.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. My head lowers and our eyes meet. “I just need to get out of the house. I mean, you didn’t even tell me you were moving me in with you. Yesterday, all my stuff just showed up here.”
Okay, so I may have gone a little bit overboard, but given the circumstances, I was tired of waiting, and now, I fully believe that the only place she is safe is with me. So that is where she will be from now on. And no, I do not want to be her sugar daddy, but the job has to go. If I need to travel for business, she is going to come with me. I will no longer be able to leave her while I’m out of town.
“I need to know you’re safe.”
“Before meeting you, nothing like this has ever happened to me,” she whispers as her head lowers and her hands wring together.
Her words feel like a steel pipe going right through my gut. I hate the idea of being the one who has caused her to be harmed. I’ve only ever wanted to take care of her.
“Come here, Beautiful,” I sigh while opening my arms, and she walks to me, shoving her face into my chest as her arms wrap around me tightly. “I should have spoken to you about moving your stuff in, but I knew you would try to tell me, again, that it’s too soon. I removed the choice from your hands and did what needed to be done.”
Her head tilts back, and I gather some of her hair at the back of her head into my hand, making a fist. I then lower my mouth to hers, slipping my tongue between her lips, calling hers to come out and play. When she moans and her body rises higher, I pull away, placing one more gentle kiss on her lips before pulling her head back into my chest.
“What would you like to do today?” I ask after a moment of standing in silence.
Her head tilts back again and her face lights up. “I’ve never been to the Museum of Natural History.”
Internally, I groan, knowing that the place is likely overrun with children right now. But if my angel wants to go to the museum, then I suppose that is what we’re going to do.
“All right. Go get ready while I finish up some work. We’ll leave in an hour.”
“Really?” She smiles bigger, and my mouth lowers again, kissing that one off her lips.
“Really,” I reply against her mouth before pulling away and turning her towards the stairs, where I watch until she disappears out of sight.
“There are a lot of kids here,” Chloe says as we make our way through the dinosaur exhibits.
“Most of the schools in the five boroughs bring the kids to this museum during the week, and then you have all the nannies who bring the kids here during the day. Or moms who just want something to do with their rug rats show up here as well,” I tell her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders so I can lead us though the crowd.
“I had no idea,” she mutters.
“When I was growing up, I only liked coming here for one reason.” I lead her past some of the exhibits, heading towards my favorite spot in the building.
“Holy cow,” she breathes, looking up at the giant blue whale that takes up a huge expanse of the museum.
“I used to lie on the ground under it for hours,” I tell her, looking around.
The area the whale is kept is dark and the floor is empty, making it the perfect spot to get away from all the noise inside the museum. I lead her towards the middle of the floor and watch as she looks around the room. There are kids everywhere along with adults who are looking at the displays tucked into the walls.
“Come on.” She pulls my hand, beginning to sit on the floor.
I frown down at her. “What are you doing?”
“Come on, old man. I need the full experience.” She laughs, sitting down completely before lying on the floor.
I shake my head but follow her down, resting my head near hers. She moves my arm and lays her head on my chest.
“This is so cool,” she whispers.
I squeeze her shoulder. I forgot how much I enjoyed doing this when I was young.
“This is where I had my first kiss,” I say, kissing her forehead.
“Was she your girlfriend?” Her cheek moves against my chest, and I know she’s smiling.
“I was six. I thought she was my girlfriend, so when we came for a field trip, I kissed her when we got to this part of the museum.”
“What did she do?” She giggles, making me smile.
“She hit me then ran off and told the teacher.”
“Your poor ego.” She tilts her head back, and the soft look in her eyes makes me realize that this is the spot I will ask her to marry me once the ring I’m having made for her is complete.
“I survived,” I mutter, pulling her face up towards mine.
She instantly rises up on her elbow and lowers her mouth down to mine, nibbling my bottom lip before licking it. My hand moves to hold her face to take over the kiss, but we’re suddenly interrupted.