Page 46 of Complete Me

“Just wait,” she warned him. “You're about to be in your honeymoon period. Then no one will be able to stand to be around you either.”

“I hope so,” Edward said good-naturedly, giving her a wink over the rim of his glasses. “How did we get so lucky, anyway?”

He had found David across the room and his face was a mixture of love and longing as he studied him.

“I have a favor to ask you,” Belle said, tearing her eyes away from Smith. Edward drew in a deep breath, before he nodded. She suspected he would understand what she was asking. “I need you to make more room in your life.”

Edward's gaze dropped to her stomach as if his glasses could be used as a sonogram. “Smith works fast,” he said with a chuckle.

Belle elbowed him in the ribcage. “I want you to make room for Smith.”

She didn't bother to add that with any luck, he'd need to be making a little more room in the future as well.

Edward glanced to David. “I'd like you to do the same.”

The two of them had been best friends and while their allegiance would always be to one another, it was becoming increasingly clear that their husbands would be part of their lives forever. Belle didn't want Edward to feel as if he had to choose between Belle and becoming Smith's friend. As far as she was considered, Smith was as permanent an addition to her life as her right arm.

“I think your husband's ears are burning,” Edward said as Smith prowled across the room toward them. Belle felt a rush of anticipation thrill through her.

“Take Elizabeth?” she asked.

“Excuse me,” Smith interrupted them as Belle handed the baby to Edward, “but I'd like to steal my wife away. I think it's time she heads to bed.”

Belle didn't miss the way Edward's eyes rolled a little. Smith's insatiable libido was something he was just going to have to get used to.

Smith took her hand, guiding her through the corridors to their private bedchamber. When they entered, he didn't flip on the light switch.

“You were serious about going to bed?” Sleep was usually the last thing on her husband's mind when he suggested they retire for the evening.

There was only enough moonlight to make out the silhouettes of furniture inside the room, but after a moment her eyes adjusted. Smith stayed close to her. All that mattered was that she could see him, even cast in shades of gray.

“I have something for you.” He led her to the bed and handed her a box tied with a long, red ribbon.

“That's not what I was expecting,” she said under her breath.

“You'll get that, too, beautiful,” he promised her.

She plucked free the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box. Inside, hundreds of feathers cushioned a small black machine. “I knew it was too big to be diamonds,” she had teased, “But I'm not sure what this is.”

“I have something for you tomorrow,” he promised her. “Tonight, you get stars.”

He lifted the machine free and flipped the switch. Instantly, a dazzling array of light shimmered across the room, covering the ceiling with constellations. It reminded her of New York and wedding rings and promises made. He had given her the stars then and he was doing so again now.

She cleared her throat, her voice thick with emotion. “I thought I was on the naughty list.”

Smith placed the machine on the table and fingered the untied ribbon. “That can be arranged, beautiful. Turn around.”

His mouth swept across the arch of her neck and he undressed her. When she was nude, he guided her onto her stomach. His palms flattened on her ass, spreading her to him. She wiggled her legs open, but instead of dipping between them, he picked up each of her wrists and brought them behind her back. A moment later the silky ribbon from her present slid around them, cinching them tightly together. He continued playing with it for a moment.

“You look so pretty, tied in a bow for me.” He bent over her to whisper in her ear. “Can I play with my toy now?”

“Yes, Sir,” she breathed.

“You are on the naughty list,” he informed her, his hand rubbing circles over her ass. “Aren’t you?”

He prompted her answer with a firm, stinging smack.

“Yes, Sir.”