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Anika’s tapered eyebrows lifted. “I have discovered that myself. And I suppose I am going to have to dress up real pretty and be his eye candy.”
Brandy grinned in delight. Jaylen could not have chosen a better female. She was not stuck up, because she had not been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She was also not afraid to speak her mind. “He is his own eye candy, but you make a very good accessory.”
Anika smiled at that. “You are not a complete asshole Brandy, is that your real name?”
She shook her dyed head. “Wilma. My mama must have hated my guts to stick me with a name like that. I decided to change it legally as soon as I was able. Now Ms. Anika, let’s get started, shall we?”
Chapter 11
One more day. One day he would be home. He had not called her last night and she figured he was dead on his feet. She had seen a clip on the internet about the photoshoot. He had told her that they had left from Venice to Milan and their last stop would be in Rome. She did not envy him for that amount of travel.
The nightmares had come last night and she had found herself reaching for him and resenting the fact that he was not there. That had put her in a damn bad mood, the fact that she needed him so much that she could not very well sleep without him. It was a hell of an inconvenience, she decided.
Parking in the underground garage, she grabbed her oversized tote and headed toward the elevator that would take her straight up. The wind had picked up speed and the temperature had dropped significantly. She had passed stores on her way home, with red lights flashing half off everything for the Christmas season.
Keying in the code, she stepped back when the door swung open and there he was.
For a few seconds, she was frozen to the spot. His shoulder-length blonde hair was tangled as if teased by a very playful breeze and he was wearing black.
Sweater, jeans,and boots and he looked so wonderful and beautiful that she felt the tears clogging her throat.
“What sort of greeting is that?” His deep voice had the ability to make her weak.
“You are here.”
She had no idea that her eyes were shining with tears or that the pleasure on her beautiful face was sending a funny feeling inside the pit of his stomach. Reaching out, he drew her in and closed the door.
“You are here.” She was repeating herself, but it was too much for her to handle.
“I am.” Putting her away, he took in the weariness on her face. “You had a nightmare last night.”
She nodded and swallowed the lump inside her throat.
“You were not here and you did not call. It’s fine—"
“No.” He shook her gently. “Baby, I did not call because I was moving heaven and hell to leave a day earlier. I worked until midnight trying to get things finished. All because I was determined to be here today.”
His hands slid up to cup her cheeks. “I could not bear to be away from you another day.” He drew her in and she dropped her tote, hands curling into his sweater.
“Oh God!” she whispered tremulously. “I need you. I am not used to that. I did not want to but you are here and I want—"
“Tell me,” he whispered hoarsely. “I managed to grab some sleep on the plane, but my body is still on Italian time.”
“You need rest.”
“I need you.”
“I need you. Right here and now. I cannot make it upstairs. I am going to—"she pushed him against the door and tugged his sweater up. He lifted his arms to make it easier for her.
“The living room.” Lifting her into his arms, he strode toward it where there was a fire glowing in the electronic hearth.
“You smell great.” She was nibbling at his throat and making him weak. “I am going to take a bite out of you.” And she did. His knees buckled and he felt as if his heart was bursting through his chest.
“I am about to drop you,” he hissed. “If you continue- Christ! Baby, wait. Let me—"he groaned as she sucked the skin into her mouth. “You asked for it.” He dropped her unceremoniously on the sofa.
“Hey!”
“You did ask for it.” He tore off his jeans and got out of his boots.
