Page 24 of His to Keep

I looked at the house, picturing it through her eyes instead of my tired, somewhat resentful gaze. The bright-white exterior coupled with a wraparound front porch that faced the open space to the back, where a pool was inset into the bright-green grounds.

It was large, even bigger than I’d needed when I bought it. But I always pictured having a room for every one of my kiddos and then maybe one spare. Just in case my brothers had finally figured out how to make a woman stand them long enough to give me some nieces and nephews.

My mouth quirked in wry humor as I realized that both of my brothers nearly beat me to the bunch. Xavier had a baby on the way, and I knew Asher was as obsessed with getting his beautiful fiancée pregnant as I would’ve been.

I glanced at Whitney and loved what I saw. The sweet enjoyment on her face, her teeth biting into her bottom lip as we drew closer.

She was here, I realized, in my home. A deep, powerful feeling of rightness spread across my chest, and I resisted the urge to press into it. Instead, I just absorbed it, letting the pleasure spread as Tim opened the door and offered her a hand out.

I was by her side in a moment but didn’t pick her up this time. Instead, I followed just behind, waiting to see if she’d gotten her sea legs back. I swept open one of the double front doors and only made it about five feet before Whitney turned to me, her mouth covered by a delicate hand.

“Emerson, I don't know if I can stay here.”

I stared, puzzled, but she continued.

“I’ll break something or leave a smudge on your beautiful house.”

I snorted, stepping up to her and letting my hand finally do what it’d been craving since we got in the car. It smoothed around her neck, pulling her the last few inches until she was almost flush to me. My cock twitched, but after the stress of the day, it was easily repressed.

“It needs smudges. It needs broken things. It needs to be lived in.” I tugged her back so she could turn her face up to me. She braced her chin on my chest face confused. “It needs to be loved in.”

The silence between us was warm and buzzing, and my fingers around her neck tensed, as if I wished I could drag her back up to my mouth. Flashes of our lunch date, which seemed so long ago now, flicked through my mind.

I would wait.

Patience was my strong suit after all. Or at least I thought it was. Until I walked her slowly up to her bedroom.

Well, forget that. I’d already walked her to my doorway, I ushered her in before me.

“Emerson, this is a master. I can’t stay here.” Her words were quiet, and even as she said that, she’d moved into the space, her fingers running along my bed.

“You can. I have plenty of other rooms. And half the time I crash in my office anyway.”

“You would rather sleep there than here?” She looked stunned as she stared around the room. I grinned at her, enjoying her reaction almost as much as I enjoyed seeing her amongst my things.

“I’ve been working two jobs for the past few weeks.” I shrugged. “Sometimes the office seemed easier than coming up here. It’s not like there’s been anyone waiting or anything…” I trailed off as she paused by the dresser, her face downcast.

“To be clear, I’m not expecting anything, Whitney. This is about taking care of you.” I said that last part slowly, to be sure that she understood.

“And the baby,” she finished for me with a tentative smile.

“Exactly.” I paused before continuing. “Why don’t you settle in, and I’ll give you a call when dinner is ready.”

“Settle in?”

“David will be here in a few minutes with some things. I hope you don’t mind.”

She swallowed reflexively, but the smile stayed. “Great, thank you. I think I’ll just lie down.”

I turned and moved to the door. Just before I turned into the hall, I heard her speak one more time.

“Emerson.”

I looked back, the full force of her standing there nearly overwhelming me with pleasure. “Yes?”

“I’m still mad at you.”

I let out a soft chuckle. “I know.”

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