Page 68 of Blaze

“You’re switching to herbal.Do you have a flavor preference?”

Her brow furrows.

The rest of the women chuckle.Emilia groans and glares at me.“Did Haden get hold of you?”

I laugh.“Nope.I’m just observant.”

Victoria looks around at everyone and back to me.“What am I missing?”

Emilia answers for me, “He’s cutting you off from caffeine.”

I smirk and head for the box of assorted herbal teas, returning with it a moment later to hold it open in front of Victoria.

She peruses it for a few seconds and picks one.“Why am I cut off from caffeine exactly?”

I love that she doesn’t defy me or argue; she simply questions my motives.Reaching for the hot water in the middle of the table, I pour it into her teacup.“Pregnant women shouldn’t have caffeine.”

She flinches.“I’m not pregnant.I’m so far from pregnant, it’s not even funny.”

More giggles.

Claire grins.“He’s pulling the usual Wilde denial trick to get you to marry him, isn’t he?”

I actually haven’t mentioned marriage a single time for the last two days.I’m just planting seeds.I kiss my girl’s cheek.“I’ll be in Ryder’s office.Text me when you’re done.I’ll come get you.”

“Or I could, you know…walk there myself,” she says in a cheery voice.

I respond just as jovially, “You can do that, baby, if you want me to spank your bottom so hard you can’t sit on it at dinner.”I chuckle to myself as I walk away.

All the women are snickering.

As soon as I’m in the hallway where none of them can see me, I lean against the wall.Mostly, I just need to catch my breath after that interaction, but I can’t deny wanting to hear what is said next.

“Fuck, he’s intense,” Emilia says.

“Does Haden let you cuss?”Claire asks.

“Fuck no,” the little imp retorts.

“Uhhh…” This comes from Victoria.“Is he more intense than any of your husbands?”

“No.”It’s just one syllable.One word.But all five women say it in unison.

I cover my mouth to avoid being detected.I’m not exactly spying.Those women know better than to misbehave even when they’re alone.And I don’t mind their banter a bit.I want Victoria to fit in.I want her to have friends.Family.It’s clear she’s never had much of either.

“Are you going to marry him?”Reagan asks.

“He hasn’t actuallyaskedme to marry him,” Victoria responds.

I plant my palm on my forehead.She’s got a point.To be fair, I thought she needed a bit of time to get used to the idea before I got down on one knee.It’s been four days.I’m sure my cousins had things nearly wrapped up with their wives after five days, but they weren’t also dealing with an injury.

Or am I just making excuses?

I should ask her.

If I’m honest with myself, I’m slightly worried about rejection.If I don’t ask, she can’t turn me down.Instead, I’ve chosen to make her realize how we belong together first.

Oh, and deny her sex while sucking her clit as often as possible.