“There’s a difference between domestication and culinary skills, just so you know.”
“Okay, fine, we’re taking you out.” She conceded with a huff, placing her hands on her hips.
The twins started fussing, so I quickly grabbed my things, locked up the house, and followed her to the restaurant.
As we were seated at the table, I suddenly realized the timing of Alex’s arrival and the way the twins started fussing made for a quick and painless exit from Mom’s house. Peaceful, I thought to myself.
For the first time in days, I found myself starving and ate like a pig. I remembered the last good meal I’d enjoyed…room service in Santorini, Greece with Harrison.
“Thinking of something fun?” Alex asked.
“Huh?”
“You had a faraway look in your eyes and a sultry kind of smile.” She raised her eyebrow, indicating her wait for an answer.
“Just remembering dinner our last night in Greece.” A lady should never tell all of her secrets, not even to her best friend.
“Dinner or…dessert?”
“It was the red necktie.” I giggled. Partly because Alex can be clueless sometimes and partly because I knew she would steal my idea. She’d come into her own in the kinky department.
“You don’t say.” She paused to laugh. “Ours is pink.”
We both laughed and neither of us said anything more about it. Looked like I wasn’t the only one with a secret fetish for neckties.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I returned to Chicago a day early to surprise my husband. While my surprises weren’t as grand as his, I had my own way of delivering treats. It felt awesome to be in his arms again after being away for almost a week. But the time with Alex was great, and I felt comfortable in my decision to have Alex’s friend Sara and her husband Dominick take care of Mom’s place for the time being.
“Did you have good girl time with Alex, Ella, and Paige?”
“Yes. Alex even helped me with some designs for work, if you can believe that?”
“No way. She cheated and called Cooper when you weren’t looking.”
“You’re so mean to her.” I laughed.
“You love it and you know it. Grayson said he barely saw you. His schedule was booked from being off for our wedding.”
“I know and Alex has her hands full with two babies. I can’t imagine even one. Speaking of babies, Nadia has a doctor’s appointment this afternoon, and I want to go with her. I missed her last one.”
“She came by earlier in the week and left a folder with some potential adoptive couples she wanted you to look at. You sure you’re up for this?”
“I welcome the diversion.”
I unpacked my luggage and joined him downstairs for lunch before leaving again to meet Nadia at the doctor’s office. For a tiny Russian girl, the doctor said she was going to have a big baby boy.
The pregnancy agreed with her. She looked healthy and glowing and had gained just enough weight to enhance her curves. She was beautiful, and it gave me an idea. We discussed the idea of maternity photos to give to the family she would be choosing, and she said she’d think about it.
She impressed me with the way she oohed and awed over the baby and yet was so determined to go through with her plans for adoption.
“It’s obvious you love this little boy. Are you sure about going through with adoption?”
“Yes. I never want him to know how he came to be. He doesn’t deserve that. A mother’s love is to sacrifice for child. I will sacrifice myself, my love, for him. Too much bullying in the world. He will never know he has a father in prison for raping and beating his mother.” She smiled through her tears. “I can have courage because of him and for him. I love him that much.”
“I love you for that and you’ll be making a beautiful world for a deserving couple.”
***
The bar was in full swing for a Friday night. Everyone was in the weekend spirit, and Max was perched on his doggie bed in the office with his eye on the door. Kaci and Luke seemed well into “coupledom” and had the bar under control, shooing us upstairs. Harrison seemed so relaxed to have them managing the business. I’d noticed a big change in him; now that he wasn’t in the bar every night.
I tried to fix a little dinner and laughed out loud at myself while thinking about giving Alex a hard time for sucking in the kitchen. I wasn’t that great either, definitely needed more practice. Sure, I could throw things together from a box, but homemade was a different story.
“What’s so funny, princess?”
“Oh, just thinking how I gave Alex a hard time for being a terrible cook, and I’m not much better.”
“You’re way better than her. The only decent thing she can make is the family secret recipe for lasagna. Has she or Zoe given you the secret recipe?”
“No. But if everyone knows it, it must not be much of a secret.” We shared a laugh.
“Only family. Passed down from generations. Maybe you can make it in our new kitchen?”
“Hmm, our house. I love the sound of that.”
He raised a brow and gave me a flashing smile.
We enjoyed salad, boxed pasta, and purchased garlic bread and lots of laughter. I bet him I’d master the art of Italian cooking; he said he’d take that bet.
Note to self: Sign up for cooking classes!
***
The next morning we went for a refreshing run really early in the crisp fall air. All of downtown had been decorated for Christmas. Christmas… Where had the time gone, I wondered. A holiday I hadn’t thought about, but it was coming in less than a week. I hadn’t bought any gifts yet, so consumed with our wedding and Mom’s passing. We didn’t even have a tree. Harrison’s family would be easy, but Harrison? That was a mystery. What did you get a man who had everything?
With laptop in hand, I curled up on the sofa, surfing the web for Christmas gifts when Harrison plopped down beside me and started pestering me. So much for trying to buy him a gift.
“Come with me,” he demanded.
“Oooh, I like the sound of that,” I teased back.
“Not that, although that could be arranged.” He turned to me and raised an eyebrow before giving me a sexy grin. “I wanted to show you something.” He handed me our jackets and cocked his brow up at me. When he asked Max if he wanted to go for a ride, curiosity held me hostage.
When we drove up to the Highland Park area north of Chicago, I had a deep suspicion he was going to show me our house. But the mansion we pulled up in front of shocked me. It was absolutely breathtaking and more than anything I could have ever imagined.
I sat in my seat and tried to take it all in. I hadn’t even realized Harrison had exited the car when he was suddenly opening my door.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Brooks.” He extended his hand.
We approached the large, wooden front door, and he handed me the key to do the honors. He scooped me up, carrying me across the threshold with both of us laughing. The estate was absolutely amazing, full of beautiful stone masonry and iron sconces and chandeliers. Old world, my favorite.
We toured the home and grounds for several hours, spending time taking in every detail. I was overwhelmed with excitement. Such a large home for just the two of us. Well, make that three with Max. He was at home as if he had been there before, darting from room to room.
“It’s beautiful. I love it, sweetheart. Thank you.” I took his face in my trembling hands and kissed him sweetly.
“I’m glad you approve. We move tomorrow.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry. We have a crew that will do everything. All you have to do is stay here and direct them. It’s not like we have that much to move.” He paused to laugh. “You can fill it with anything you want. The furniture in the master bedroom is from my guest room at the penthouse. I thought you might like to spend our first night here, tonight.”
“I’m thrilled. I have no words.”
“There’s wine chilling
. We can order your favorite pizza and have a carpet picnic in front of the fire. Sound good, Mrs. Brooks?”
He reached behind my neck, filling his hand with my hair, pulling me close to him, close enough to feel the heat of his breath on my lips. “I love you, Monica. I want to spend every day here with you making love, living life, and enjoying all the goodness you bring out of me.”
Emotion held my voice; I couldn’t utter a sound. I felt the tears fall, but I couldn’t stop them. I loved this man, and every breath he breathed pumped life into me.
I nodded.
We made love in front of the fire, we ate delicious pizza that beat anything I could ever make, and we were drunk on our love. The first night in our home was a beautiful memory I’d never forget.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
While I waited for the movers, I explored my new home again and made notes and drawings for all my ideas for decorating. It was definitely going to be a work in progress.
With a warm fire behind me, I sat on the floor and searched the internet for new furniture on my iPad. As a stylist, I had connections in the industry for furniture and décor, which would definitely come in handy. Talk about calling in some favors!
I became distracted when I noticed a tab on the iPad still holding my search for a Christmas present for Harrison. The looming question surfaced again. What did you give a man who had everything?
I scrolled through my tabs, searching various ideas and came across the one for the photographer who did great maternity photography that I wanted to show Nadia. It hurt deeply to think about her giving away the precious gift of a child, but she said she was sacrificing herself so a child would never know the circumstances of his birth. She wanted her son to have a fresh start in life without the psychological thoughts of a father in prison.
I looked for the folder that contained the potential adoptive parents and couldn’t locate it.
The thoughts and circumstances were depressing and wrapped my heart in barbed wire. I quickly picked up my iPad and moved to my other tabs to refresh my spirit. Then it hit me. I knew exactly what the perfect gift for Harrison would be and started making plans.
The movers arrived with all of our things from the loft and the penthouse. Harrison followed.
“How’s the decorating going?” he asked while tickling my ribs.
“Great. Deliveries starting tomorrow. Hey, have you seen Nadia’s folder with the potential families? I thought it was in my bag, but I can’t find it.”
“It’s in the box on the kitchen counter marked files.”
“You’re too organized,” I teased.
“Good thing one of us is,” he said while pulling me into a strong embrace. “Someone has to pick up your pile of shoes by the door.” He laughed.
My gut clenched. The statement ripped me to shreds. Mom had always fussed at me about my shoes by the door. A habit I never could break. As soon as I came home, I always kicked off my shoes by the door. Some days, there would be several pairs piled up.
My heart ached; it was hard not being able to show Mom my first home or worse, not have time with her at Christmas. It would be my first holiday without her.
I rested my head on Harrison’s shoulder, trying hard to hide my quivering lower lip.
As he held me, he propped his chin on the top of my head. Our bodies fit each other perfectly. “Please tell me there are chairs coming for the media room. I want to watch the Bears play next Sunday upstairs in my man cave. I’ve missed so many games my boys are gonna think I deserted them,” he pleaded through a chuckle.
Typical alpha male with the usual “S” focus…sex and sports.
“By all means, let’s make sure we have our priorities. Yes, you’ve got chairs on the way, geez.” I toyed with him, tickling his ribs.
He pushed me away to arm’s length and gave me one of his cocky smiles. “Hey now, I’m low maintenance when it comes to decorating. Grayson drove Alex nuts with having to approve everything. You’re getting carte blanche.” He teased me.
He flipped through my pages of ideas lying on the bar and stopped at the page titled “Master Bedroom.” The page was blank.
“Is it a secret or have you gone brain dead?” He gave me a peculiar look.
“No, I want us to do it together.”
“Oh, I want to do it all right.” He grabbed me, pulling me close to his body, and kissed me passionately. His tongue invaded my mouth in slow, silky movements. His hands roamed under my shirt.
With the movers in the house, we were not alone. I ended the kiss and pulled back. “Down cowboy, or we’re going to give our audience a show.”
“Grrrr,” he playfully growled. “Hurry, get rid of them. I have plans for you.”
We quickly unpacked the boxes for the kitchen and study. The movers had already hung up our clothes. There wasn’t much left to do; we were officially starting over with practically a clean slate. Other than furniture in the dining room, spare bedroom, and study, our very large home echoed like a cave.
We curled up on the leather sofa in the study with Max occupying most of it and surfed the web for new ideas.
Suddenly, Harrison jumped up and said, “Road trip.”
“What? We just got settled in.”
“Yes, but I love this place, and I think you will too. Come, my princess,” he ordered with a hand extended.
I obliged. We got in his new Range Rover and drove for about twenty minutes to a warehouse district. I had no idea where we were or why, but Max started whining when we pulled through the alleys in between the buildings, which was unusual for him.
“What’s going on? Where are we?”
“Surfing the internet reminded me of this place. I’d forgot about it.”
“What is it?”
“You remember the iron work at my office?”
“Yes.”
“It’s handmade. The guy that makes it has a place in here. Just have to hunt for it. You’ll know it by the old iron gaslight hanging outside the draw door.”
We were on a mission to find the lamplight. When I finally saw it through the alley way two rows over, my heartbeat accelerated in anticipation as we pulled up to the door. Our home was old-world style and iron decor would fit right in. There was no answer when Harrison knocked on the door. We waited, but no answer. Max was whining to get out, so I walked back to the car to let him run for a moment.
Max and I were about a hundred yards away when I heard Harrison’s whistle. Max took off to run back to him and darted in front of a large truck cutting through the alley at a high rate of speed.
I screamed and ran for Max.
Harrison yelled and ran toward Max.
Max was confused and panicked in the middle section of the alley crossing.
The truck driver blew his horn loudly and swerved at the same time that Max turned toward me. The truck barely missed hitting Max and Harrison. When I caught up with both of them, I saw the fear in Harrison’s face. He saw mine. We both knelt to pet Max, who beat both of us with his long, wagging tale.
“We’re awful parents. He should’ve been on his leash. I never gave it a thought, but from here on out, he will have a leash,” Harrison uttered through shaky breaths.
The draw door opened for the Lamplight House and a man stepped out.
“I thought I heard a commotion out here,” the man said while looking around.
We put Max back into the car and approached the man.
“How are you, Mr. Brooks?”
“Excellent, Gabe. Couldn’t be better. And you and Mrs. Townsend?” he asked, shaking Mr. Townsend’s hand.
“Could say the same. Y’all come on inside. What brings you by?”
“I’d like for you to meet my bride, Monica. We moved into our new home today, and she says we have a blank canvas.”
“Pleased to meet you lovely lady and congratulations. Well, not sure what you’re looking for, but come on in and look around. Jimmy and Scott are here, so if you find something, we can get it out
today. Happy to design anything you want.”
***
The large truck pulled up in the circle drive behind our car. I had to try hard to suppress my squeals, as they carried our new bedroom furniture upstairs, piece by piece. The ornate black iron bed was a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that was beyond anything I could’ve imagined, and it had an ornate post on each corner that could be used for something that involved that red necktie any time I wanted.
I bit my finger, engulfed in sexual heat at the thought.
“You thinking what I’m thinking?” Harrison asked, sneaking up behind me in the bedroom, strong arms circling my waist.
“And what would that be?” I responded, keeping my thoughts hidden as best I could.
“That we need some chairs or a chaise over by the window, so you can relax while you’re doing sketches.”
Oh, he was so off base. The only thing involving chairs in my mind, involved him sitting and me straddling. “Hmmm. I think a chaise.” I gave him a wink.
He had no idea what he was in for, but with a quick run to the local Target, we were going to be breaking in those new mattresses later that night. He wasn’t the only one who could deliver delicious surprises.
***
I made a couple of stops, picking up things for dinner, while out on my errand run. It was too late for anything fancy, so I picked up a couple of steaks and a salad, which reminded me I needed to secure the family secret recipe for lasagna, so I called Alex to complain for keeping me in the dark. Chatting with her while I quickly shopped gave us a chance to catch up and make holiday plans.
Driving home, I saved the quiet time for myself. I’d been submerged in the pressure of home and life. Harrison could pull off a global move in a day or a corporate takeover in an hour, but it was going to take more than twenty-four hours to fill up our home.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts before greeting my husband. I didn’t want him sensing he’d caused me to feel overwhelmed.
My sexy man walked into the kitchen, carrying a few bottles of wine.
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