Page 176 of Stolen Voices

Eli, who has no such qualms, stands and buttons his suit jacket, looking icy hot as he stares down Jenkins. “Make sure you keep this between us, or Silla will be the least of your worries. Unlike my girl, I’m not so forgiving.”

My man places his warm hand on the small of my back and, with his loving support, leads me out of the office.

thirty-eight

Eli

AfterourmeetingwithJenkins, I scanned a copy of the file to Jace, who confirmed everything the slime ball had told us. Jace asked us to sit tight as he made a call to the original lawyer who handled Andrew Cartwright’s estate.

Callie has been awfully quiet since then, and it’s making me antsy. Trying to respect her space is hard for me. I trust she will come to me when she’s ready, but the in-between is driving me crazy. I’m a fixer. Not knowing how to help makes my skin itch.

Hence, my impromptu date night.

I arrange the various food containers on the table and light a few candles before turning on an easy listening station in the background. Taking a deep breath, I head to the bedroom and change into a pair of sweatpants and a black shirt, and lay out a similar-looking outfit for Callie.

While we were at the meeting, I had Callie’s new stylists fill the empty half of my walk-in closet with clothes for her. She doesn’t know it yet, but she has an entirely new wardrobe waiting for her to use.

The bathroom door opens, and the scent of candied flowers fills the room as Callie walks in, wearing my robe and looking more refreshed. I take a deep inhale of her sweet scent, letting it soothe my jagged edges.

Callie is here with me. She’s safe,I remind myself.

With a mind of their own, my feet steer me towards my girl. I envelop her delectable body in my arms, dip her back, and kiss her like my life depends on it.

She melts into my embrace, moaning into my mouth as I tangle my tongue with hers. I take my time tasting her and loving her. When I stand upright, I don’t let go.

Tucking her head under my chin, I breathe her in again and relish the feel of her body pressed to mine. “Feeling better, princess?”

She leans back and brings her dark-brown eyes to mine. A sluggish, drunk smile tips up her perfectly pink lips. “I am now.”

“Glad to be of service.”

She sighs, her eyes sparkling.

This is the moment. “I have something for you.”

“You do? How long was I in there?” she asks.

While I came up with plans for dinner, I sent her to take a bath, and by the looks of it, it was the right call.

“Long enough. I was just coming to check and see if you drowned.”

She chuckles. “Funny. But seriously, what could you have gotten me in an hour?”

I tuck a stray strand of hair back into the sloppy bun on her head. “Dinner and dessert.”

“I like food.” She grins, and as usual, heat spreads from my center to the tips of my fingers.

“I know. Before we get to the food portion, I have something to show you.”

“Should I be worried?”

“I don’t think so.” Lacing our fingers together, I guide us to the closet door and pause, my hand on the knob. Her eyebrows jump to her forehead in question, and I can’t help teasing her. “Behind this door is something that might make you want to run for the hills, but I really hope it doesn’t.”

She stares at the door, biting her plump bottom lip.

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea.” I pretend to tug her away when she stops me.

“Wait. Show me. I swear there isn’t anything behind this door that would chase me away.”