Page 35 of Where We Bloom (The Blackwells of Montana #3)

Chapter Nineteen

CONNOR

“ S o you had someone drop this SUV, which looks exactly like the one in Montana, at the tarmac so Miller could drive us to wherever we’re going when we got off the plane?” Billie asks as we travel through the city on the way to my penthouse.

“Aye.” I reach over to brush my finger down her cheek.

Christ, she’s magnificent. Watching her put the flight attendant in her place was such a fucking turn-on.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or strip her bare and fuck her.

She didn’t even raise her voice. She simply kept her chin up and made it clear she wouldn’t tolerate being disrespected like that.

I wasn’t aware the attendant was paying any attention to me. Why would I? I’m always too consumed with the woman next to me.

She slept through the rest of the flight, curled up around me, and surprisingly, I was able to sleep almost as long. So despite landing in New York at about midnight local time, we’re both wide awake.

And Billie is staring at the lights out the passenger window.

“Have you been to New York City before, angel?”

“No.” She shakes her head but doesn’t turn to look at me. “I haven’t been east of the Mississippi very much. It’s so … bright.”

“It is that.” I link my fingers with hers as Miller drives us into the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Miller pulls into the parking garage under my building, and Billie turns to me with a scowl.

“What’s wrong?” I reach over to brush her hair over her shoulder.

I can’t stop touching her. Ever.

How did I stay away from her for all of those months?

“This doesn’t look like a hotel.”

I glance out the window, then back at her. “That’s because it’s not a hotel. Did you want to stay at one? I can arrange it.”

“Oh, no, I assumed we’d be—” She bites her lip and frowns, and now that we’re stopped, I unclip her seat belt and pull her against me.

“Talk to me, a ghrá .”

“That’s a new one,” she murmurs. “I shouldn’t assume things. So you have a place in this building?”

I smirk and press a quick kiss to her pouty lips. “I have the building, baby.”

Her mouth gapes, and I push out of the vehicle and walk around to open her door. When she hops out, I take her computer bag from her, carrying it myself.

“Come on, we’re on the top floor.”

“Of course, we are,” she whispers, but I catch it.

“Simon and I will bring everything up in a few,” Miller says, and I nod his way as I escort Billie to the private elevator that leads to the penthouse.

“Breathe.” I rub her back in big circles. “It’s just an apartment, you know.”

That makes her bark out a laugh. “Right. I’m sure it’s similar to the apartment I had in college.”

I can’t help but wink down at her as the doors open into the foyer of my place. Linking her hand with mine, I lead her out of the elevator.

“Wow,” she whispers, dropping my hand and immediately going for the windows that offer stunning views of Central Park. I set her bag on the sofa, watching her. She’s full of nervous energy, and I don’t like that. “You own the building .”

“I do, but I lease the other floors.” I shove my hands in my pockets as I stand back and watch her take in my place.

It’s not similar to the Montana house in any way.

This has a more luxurious feel, and for the price tag, it should.

The living room is expansive, open to the kitchen, and everywhere you look is glass because it’s been designed to let in the views of the park and city around us.

I don’t like how quiet she is.

“Talk to me.”

“I mean, it’s—” She props her hands on her hips, takes another look around, and blows air out of her mouth, making a raspberry with her lips. “Gorgeous. Smart. Welcoming. Fucking intimidating.”

“Funny, I think you just described yourself.”

She turns to me with a half smile. “How long have you owned it?”

“About ten years. I don’t know how much longer I’ll keep it.”

“Why?”

“I’m never here. I haven’t been here in months. If I do come to Manhattan, there are four resorts, with another on the way, that I own and can stay in.”

She nods slowly, and I move to the dining table.

“This is your new computer,” I inform her.

“Wait. What?” Billie marches over and opens the laptop, then spins to pin me with a shocked stare when it’s exactly as her old one was. “How did you do that?”

Gliding my hand around her waist, I tug her to me. “You’re cute.”

“Seriously, Connor, how did you get me a new computer and get it already set up for me? We’ve been asleep on an airplane.”

“I know people, bumble. Now, are you hungry?”

“Holy shit,” she whispers, her fingertips ghosting over the gleaming keys. “Yeah, I’m hungry.”

“What would you like? The fridge and pantry are stocked, but we can also order something in if you want.”

“After midnight?”

I grin at her again.

“We’re not in Montana anymore,” she says .

“No, we’re not. We can get food any hour of the day. What’ll it be? There’s a good pizza place around the corner.”

“That sounds good,” she says, kicking off her shoes. My shoulders relax. If Billie’s kicking off her shoes, that means she’s comfortable. “I need a shower and comfies. I’m stealing your clothes tonight.”

“Come, I’ll show you the primary suite, and then I’ll order while you’re getting cozy.” With her hand in mine, I point out the kitchen, a laundry space, my office, a media room, two guest rooms, and then we make it to the stairway.

“Jesus, billionaire, I’m going to need a map for this place.”

“It’s not that big.”

She snorts and hangs on to the bottom of my shirt as I climb the stairs ahead of her.

“Another guest room is up here as well as the primary suite.”

When I lead her into the bedroom, she gasps.

“Holy shit, the view.” She crosses to the windows that look out onto Manhattan. “This is incredible, Connor.”

“It was that view that sold me on it,” I agree. “I like seeing you here, in this spot, mo rúnsearc. ”

She turns to look at me. “How many?—”

“None.” I saunter to her and drag my thumb over her lower lip. “Just you. You’re the only woman, besides my sister and the housekeeper, who’ve been here.”

“I shouldn’t have asked. ”

Closing the gap between us, I palm the back of her neck and lower my lips to hers, brushing them back and forth twice. “You can ask anything.”

She swallows, watching my gaze.

“Connor?”

“Aye, Billie.”

“How did you get that computer here like that?”

“I have a security and tech specialist in the building, and they handled it. Former CIA.”

She blinks twice, then leans her forehead against my sternum.

“I think I ask too many questions.”

“Never.” I kiss her forehead and lead her to the en suite. “Everything you need is in here.”

“Why did I bother bringing my bathroom stuff if you already had it brought in for me?”

“You didn’t ask me if you should pack it,” I remind her. “I have no idea what’s in your many suitcases.”

Her favorite shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and even the razor she prefers are in my walk-in shower.

“Do you have elves?” she asks, then gasps when she opens a drawer at the vanity and discovers her skin care regimen, all waiting for her. Another drawer reveals the makeup she uses the most. “Jesus, Connor.”

“What? Did they get the wrong thing?”

“No.” With her eyes wide, she turns to stare at me. “This cost a fortune.”

I boost her up onto the vanity and lean my palms on the marble, stepping between her legs so I can crowd her.

“It’s nothing to me. ”

“It’s not nothing to me,” she whispers and glides her fingers up my chest to my face. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. You’ll find the same setup in Ireland.”

She frowns. “Connor?—”

“No arguing.” I kiss her lips softly, still not touching her. “I need you to be at home. I need you to be comfortable.”

“Why?” she whispers against my lips.

Because I love you, and you’ve become my world, mo rúnsearc.

But given she’s overwhelmed by the largesse of my life, I’m waiting to tell her that.

“Because I need you with me.” After one more kiss, I back away. “Have your shower. Fresh towels are over there on the warming rack. I’ll set some clothes on the bed for you.”

“Thank you.”

Before I can leave the room, she hops down and rushes over to wrap her arms around me.

“Thank you,” she says again, and I plant my lips on her head.

“You’re more than welcome. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“I think you already thought of everything.”

“That was the goal. Get cozy, and I’ll order some food.”

I set out an old T-shirt for my girl, and when I get downstairs, Miller and Simon have delivered the bags. I find Miller in the kitchen, drinking a bottle of water.

“Do you want pizza?” I ask him as I pull my phone out to order. “We’re hungry.”

“I won’t turn it down,” he replies. “Simon’s settled in downstairs. He’ll be Billie’s detail while we’re in New York. Do you want him in Ireland?”

“No, she’ll be with us most of the time in Ireland. I knew she’d be on her own a lot here, and I want someone with her.” I finish ordering online and pocket my phone. “Why do you look more uptight than normal?”

“Someone’s not happy about the new build in Sweden.”

“Lots of people aren’t happy about that build.” I rake my hand through my hair. “We should have pulled out of that project. It’s done nothing but piss me the fuck off.”

“They’re pissed enough that they decided to send you a threat.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “What kind of threat?”

“Stop the build immediately, or they’ll kill you.”

I shake my head. Death threats happen frequently, but this time, Miller’s face doesn’t change.

“This isn’t an idle threat,” he says. “It came from an extremist group that’s been on the watch list for a decade. They mean what they say.”

“I want Simon in Ireland,” I decide, changing my mind. Nothing is ever going to touch my girl. “And back in Montana. If he’s willing to relocate, he can be a permanent part of the detail.”

“He’s willing,” Miller replies. “I think it’s smart. ”

We talk for another thirty minutes. The pizza arrives just as Billie’s coming down the stairs.