Page 101 of If You Claim Me

She’s different this morning. Maybe because the stress of the wedding is gone? Maybe because we finally gave in to the chemistry that’s been eddying around us these past weeks, growing stronger by the day. “That’s what you get for being a menace.” I bend and press my lips to her forehead.

“I’m a cute menace, though.”

“The cutest.” I straighten.

Her eyes drop to my crotch, and her brows rise. “Looks like someone else is awake and excited.”

She reaches for me, and I capture her hand in mine. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I haven’t even seen it.”

I fight a smile. “And you think right now, when we’re already fifteen minutes late for brunch and you’re wickedly hungover, is a good time to play show-and-tell?”

“You saw mine last night.” Her lips push out in a pout.

“You can be as adorable as you want, but you’re not in any condition to play with me.” I cross over to the closet, needing to walk away before I break for her. And I need a moment to convince myself this is real, that I haven’t somehow conjured it with my mind. I grab a pair of jeans and pull them up my thighs. “I hate being late, which we already are.” I rearrange myself andtug the zipper up, fastening the button. I pull a shirt over my head and manage to get my arms through the sleeves before Mildred’s arms wrap around my waist from behind.

I like this affectionate version of her. I want more of it. But we have all weekend to explore this new side of us. I hope.

I capture her hands and turn to face her. She’s gloriously naked.

“I texted and said we’d be down in fifteen minutes.” Her eyes are lit up with hope.

“I texted five minutes ago and said we’d be down in ten.” I drop my head and drag my nose along the edge of her jaw. “Pretty little menace.” I keep my hold on her wrists, pulling her naked body against me. “You’re going to let me dress you, take you to see your friends, feed you, and hydrate you.”

Her cute pout returns. “Why so sensible and sweet?”

“I can’t be the worst all the time.” I kiss her chin and forehead.

“What happens after brunch with friends?”

“We’ll go for a drive. And later, when I have you all to myself again, you can play with me however you want.” I gaze down at her, letting the rush of desire wash over me. “Do we have a deal?”

She sighs. “I suppose.”

I grin and kiss her tempting lips. I release one hand and reach behind me to pluck a pair of panties from the drawer before I drop to my knee in front of her. Mildred lets me dress her in jeans and a sweater with a strawberry print with only minimal pouting.

She disappears into the bathroom for a moment to brush her teeth and hair, and then we take the elevator to the private dining room.

She frowns at me on the ride. “I take it back.”

“You take what back, darling?”

“What I said about you being sweet and sensible. Postponing show-and-tell was an exceptionally villainous thing to do.”

I kiss the back of her hand. “You’re right. Taking care of you, making sure you’re properly fed and hydrated is criminal.”

“Utterly felonious really,” she agrees with narrowed eyes. “And you wore that shirt to torment me.”

“Another heinous crime. How dare I wear clothing in public and rob you of the opportunity to shamelessly ogle me? My offenses are really piling up this morning, aren’t they, Mrs. Grace?”

“We were already late,” she points out. “Ten more minutes wouldn’t have been a big deal.”

I throw my head back and laugh. Then I box Mildred into a corner. “My beautiful, feisty, gorgeous wife. In no world would ten minutes with you ever be enough.”

“But it would have taken the edge off.” Her cute pout is back.

I grin. “I think I like edging you.”