AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I take her hand in mine and slide the diamond and white gold ring onto her finger, locking it into the band she’s already wearing. “I believe this is yours. That leaves only one more thing to make it official.”
Her face pales at my teasing and for the first time, I notice the weary look in her eyes. The adrenaline has worn off and she’s fighting the fatigue that comes with a crash like that. I ease back and gesture toward the bedroom door. “Make yourself at home. Take a shower and get some rest. Tomorrow, I’ll send my men to the hotel for your things and anything else you might need.”
Relief washes over her face and the blush slowly creeps back into her skin. There’s plenty of time to sink myself into her and secure my hold on her inheritance. Tonight, I’ll let her sleep. “Go on. I have some calls to make. I’ll be right out here.”
Like a good girl she nods her head, “Thank you.”
I nod back and watch her slip off into the bedroom. My bedroom. I reach for the gray t-shirt I discarded on the living room chair earlier in the day. I wouldn’t say I’m sloppy, but I am a bachelor and value my privacy too much for a full-time housekeeper, therefore, my things are often tossed about here or there. Tonight, I’m thankful for that. There’s nothing stopping me from retrieving a fresh one from my room, but Callie needs to trust she’s safe and if I barge in there now, in the state she’s in it might be too much.
It takes far too long to tend to the business issues that need my attention. Not to mention the fallout from the shooting. I left Dixon behind to deal with it. Luckily, the local police force is on my payroll but it’s going to require some fancy footwork to keep my name out of the news. Heather Harding, the head reporter at the Philadelphia Times will be all over this story if my name comes up. I debate calling, swaying her to keep it quiet but with the way we ended she’s not likely to respond well. Then there’s the small detail of my nuptials. It might be best if I leave that one alone. There’re more pressing matters at hand than a scorned lover.
Several phone calls later, I learned the shipment that crossed the Mexican border a little over twenty-four hours ago has successfully reached its checkpoints. With that kind of cargo, drivers can’t afford to stop, and a tired driver is a driver that makes mistakes. Not a risk I’m willing to take so every ten hours I switch drivers. At this rate the truck is scheduled to arrive at my warehouse within the next twelve to thirteen hours.
The whole time, I’m constantly distracted by thoughts of my new wife. The shower was running for a little over an hour. My mind keeps drifting to the idea of Callie naked and wet. Only a door to separate us. I should go in there and claim what’s mine. Show her what it means to be my wife.
By the time I’m confident business is under control for the night, I close the distance keeping me from having her. My heart beats faster in my chest with every step. I open the door slowly, so I don’t startle her. She looks like an angel, and it strikes something deep inside of me. Surprisingly peaceful, wrapped up in my Egyptian cotton sheets wearing nothing but my shirt and a pair of lace thong panties. Maybe she’s not so innocent after all.
I cross to the bed and reach out to touch her. I can’t resist the urge tugging at my cock. Drawing my fingers along the length of her exposed thigh to the hem of my shirt, she shudders from my touch. Letting out a soft moan she curls even tighter into herself.
A few hours ago, nothing was going to stop me from consummating our marriage but that was before.
Before she was shot at.
Before her tears.
Before her exhaustion.
The realization of all she has been through in the span of one day weakens my resolve to take her right now. Gently, I tuck a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear and leave her to sleep. She will need her strength soon enough.
I wince as I lower myself into the chair by the window. My adrenaline is wearing off as well and until now I didn’t realize how heavy my body felt. My ribs tender and bruised from crashing into the altar. It’s a small price to pay to keep Callie from the round of bullets aimed at us.
Chapter 6
Callie
Sunlight streams through the glass windows that surround the entire apartment. Judging by the warmth, it’s early afternoon. Sitting up and stretching off the heavy weight of sleep, I glance around the bedroom.
His bedroom.
The night is still hazy in my mind. I remember him bringing me here after the wedding. After the shooting…
I must have been in shock because the scalding hot water in the shower did nothing to ease my tense muscles as I stood under the stream and cried. I stood there until the water ran cold. We rushed out of the chapel so fast I couldn’t grab my clothes from the hotel room. Faced with the decision to put my dress back on or walk around in my underwear, I slipped into one of Dominic’s button-up shirts that I found hanging on a hook in the bathroom. It still smells like him. He probably has t-shirts somewhere, but I didn’t want him to catch me looking and think I was snooping.
Every part of me ached and I couldn’t do much else but curl up in his bed and crash. The other side of the bed is still made, which means he must have slept somewhere else. I’m relieved but I wonder where… a spare room or the couch maybe?
For the first time since coming here last night, I take in the bedroom, the large windows, the hardwood floors, gray walls, and black marble furniture. Very modern, colorless, and cold except for the plush velvet lounge chair next to the window. It’s a bright blue that adds a touch of warmth. I can’t be sure if I was dreaming or not, but I vaguely remember Dominic sitting in that chair. What a crazy thought. Why would he do something like that? I continue to scan the room and notice my suitcases sitting neatly by the door.
I scramble out of the bed, my bare feet padding across the floor and open one. When I find my favorite pair of blue jeans, my nerves ease slightly. Next, I dig through my purse, until I’m certain everything is there. I don’t have much but it’s my stuff. Something someone with the kind of money my new husband has wouldn’t understand. At the very bottom, I find my cell phone. I have a half-dozen missed calls, voice messages and text. Some from my father. I take a sigh of relief knowing he’s alright. Dominic told me he was safe but now I know for sure.
As I’m scrolling through my messages, the phone vibrates in my hand. A new text from Collin appears on my screen. 911 followed by an X. The code for trouble.
Oh God, the shooting is probably headlining the news.
Instead of texting back, I call. There’s so much to tell him and I can’t be sure it’s safe to disclose in a text message.
“What the hell, Cals? I’ve been scared out of my mind.” Collin yells into the phone. No hello. No congratulations on my marriage. Not that I expected one, this is a fucked-up situation, and we all know it.
“Sorry. I didn’t have my phone.” I don’t know why I’m being so nonchalant; he obviously knows.
