“Okay, Angel. Let’s show you your new home,” I say, carrying her to the door.
I should have brought her here a long time ago. When I knew what she meant to me, I should have kidnapped her ass and brought her here, where I could have kept her to myself and we could have started our lives without ever giving anyone the opportunity to fuck with us.
I carry her inside, entering right into the kitchen, where I set her down on the counter.
“Let me get you some water, and then I’m going to call my mom and have her pick you up some stuff to wear. When I know things have calmed down a little, we can go to the mall,” I say, going to the fridge, pulling out a bottle of water, then bringing it to her.
“I can go,” she says.
My hand with the water bottle puts it to the side then lifts her face to me. “You will not leave unless I’m with you.”
“I never said I was going alone,” she replies calmly, placing her hand on my cheek. “I just feel weird having your mom get me clothes.”
I force my body to relax before speaking. “Don’t. It will make her feel like she’s helping. Would you like to take a bath?”
She nods and I pick her up again, carrying her upstairs to our bedroom. Once I have the bath full, I help her out of my shirt then watch as she lowers herself into the water.
“I think I’m going to wait a few days to call my mother,” I tell her, pulling my pants off.
“Why?” she asks confused.
“If I don’t call her, you have nothing to wear. I can think of worse ways to spend my days.”
She bites her bottom lip then breaks out into laughter, tossing a handful of bubbles at me.
“You’ll pay for that.” I lunge for her, making her laugh louder.
That’s the instant I realize how much I have missed that sound and vow to find a way to make her laugh every day from this day forward.
Chapter 5
“You’re not wearing that. Go and change,” I growl, watching my beautiful angel walk towards me in a white dress that looks like it was designed to piss me off.
The front is hooked around her neck with some kind of choker made of crystals and gold. The fabric of the dress is attached there, just at the front of her neck, before flowing down over her breasts. Then the waist of the dress is bunched together with a belt that matches the choker. Her sides are completely exposed, showing off a large expanse of her skin¸ as the skirt flows to the floor. I’m sure if she turned even slightly, I would see the side of her breast. Being at a party attended by the men from my firm with her in that dress will definitely lead to me shoving my fist into someone’s face when they look at her too long.
I watch as her step falters and her smile disappears.
“You sent this dress for me to wear,” she mutters, looking down.
I cannot stand that she is going to be out in public in that scrap of fabric, but I really can’t stand the look on her face right now. This is entirely my mother’s fault. She has fallen in love with Chloe and loves dressing her. She was in my office when the invite showed up for the party and insisted she be the one to pick Chloe’s dress. I should have known better.
“You look stunning.” I step towards her, running my index finger down her bare side. “I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the evening without killing every man who looks at you.” That’s not a lie, I think, tracing the edge of her breast.
“You didn’t pick this, did you?” she asks.
I lift my eyes to meet hers and shake my head.
“I can change.”
“No. You look…” I shake my head, trying to think of a way to describe her. “You look absolutely beautiful.”
Her hair is down, framing her face. Her makeup is light, just adding to her already elegant features. And the dress, though risqué, still looks charming on her. “I’m sure to be the envy of every man there.”
Her eyes narrow and she chews on her bottom lip. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say no, but there is no way I can do that to her—not right now. We’ve been staying in Westchester for two weeks now, and since coming here, I have seen my girl come out of her shell more and more. The first week was difficult. I knew she was very worried about everything that had transpired since leaving the city, but with my family and me around, she has blossomed. I was working from home most days and spending the nights trying to implant my child inside her. Even with everything hanging over us, I feel content, more at ease than I have in a long time.
“I know it’s not something I would pick for myself,” Chloe says, bringing me back to the moment, “but I kind of like it.” She smiles, and I know I will end up regretting this, but seeing that smile makes it somewhat worth it.
*
“Nolan.”
I hear my name and turn my head to the left, seeing Carter standing with a tall blonde I’m sure he met sometime within the last twenty-four hours.
“Carter.” I stop with my hand around Chloe’s waist, trying to block her from his view.
Carter’s father owns the second-largest international law firm in New York City. He went to Yale and has made a name for himself in the world of law since passing his bar exam by settling billion-dollar cases. He has also made a name for himself in the beds of women all over the city. At thirty years old, good-looking, with enough money to put Bill Gates to shame, he has women killing themselves just for a moment of his time. All of them want to be the one to turn the player into the perfect husband.