Chapter 20
Twenty
NATASHA
“That’s it?”
I stare dubiously into the pot on the stove and then look over at Lulu, who’s grinning widely at me. It’s been just under a week since we were all at Lulu’s home for dinner, and I love that she came over to spend the day with me. I’ve already learned so much from my new friend.
“That’s it, friend. You’re doing great. Mac and cheese is my favorite thing to make because it’s so good and easy.”
“Except when you shred your finger instead of the cheese.” I hold up my bandaged hand, and we both laugh.
“Eh, what’s a little blood?” Lulu waves me off and then turns to the mixer on the island.
I didn’t know we even had a mixer until the two of us went scavenging through the huge butler’s pantry to see what kind of supplies we have on hand.
“Okay, we’re going to mix the cookie dough and then use the ice cream scoop to measure out the perfect amount for each cookie. ”
“Right.” I watch carefully as Lulu turns the mixer on and starts to add ingredients.
“You can wait to do this at the end, but it’s just easier to start it up and add stuff.”
“Easy. Gotcha.”
This doesn’t look easy at all. Ask me to invest your stock portfolio, and I can do that with my eyes closed.
But make a batch of peanut butter cookies? I’m lost.
Thanks to my friend, I now know how to work the gas stove, and the difference between Bake and Broil, so there’s been some progress today.
“I’m glad you know what Julian’s favorite cookies are,” I say as we roll out balls of dough and place them on baking sheets. I’m following her lead. I feel clumsy and uncomfortable, but I’m doing it.
“It happened by accident, actually. I was having a really bad weekend and decided to bake everything under the sun. Cheesecakes, cookies, cupcakes, you name it.”
“I bet the guys loved that.”
Lulu smirks and grabs a fork for me and one for her.
“We’re going to squish the dough balls, just like this.
” She shows me how to flatten the dough with the tines of the fork and then continues with her story.
“Rome wasn’t happy that I was upset, but they all loved the outcome, yes.
When Julian saw the peanut butter cookies, he claimed the whole container for himself and drew a gun on Mateo when he tried to grab one. ”
I can’t help but laugh at that because I can totally see it happening in my head.
“That’s both hilarious and alarming.”
“What is?” Julian asks as he walks in the room. He lifts an eyebrow when he sees the peanut butter cookies ready for the oven. “My favorite.”
I smile at him. He’s only been gone for a few hours, and damn it, I missed him. “So I heard. Lulu was just telling me about the lengths you’ll go to protect your cookies.”
Julian smirks. “I’ve killed men for far less than trying to steal dessert. Hi, Lu.”
“Hey,” she says with a smile. “I don’t think Natasha will be trying to burn the house down anymore.”
“I know you hired a chef,” I tell my husband, “but she can’t work every single day. I can limp through her days off.”
“Whatever you say,” my husband replies before kissing me on the forehead. “I’ll be in my office.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets and walks away, and I can’t tear my gaze away from his truly spectacular ass.
“He has to do a lot of squats to look like that in those pants,” I murmur, and Lulu bites her lip.
“They all work out a ton. Okay, these go in the oven for about fifteen minutes.”
I’ve loved spending the day with Lulu. She doesn’t talk to me like I’m an idiot just because I don’t know how to cook.
She’s an excellent teacher, and by the time she leaves, I have three dozen cookies, three full meals saved in the fridge, and even more self-confidence than I had when she arrived this morning.
With a plate of delicious peanut-buttery goodness in hand, I wander back to Julian’s office. The door is open, so I stride in, and then stop when I see that he’s on the phone.
My husband gives his head a little shake and gestures for me to come closer, not caring if I overhear his conversation.
“It’s happening on Tuesday,” he says as I set the plate on the desk.
Rather than sit across from him, I sit in Julian’s lap when he scoots back, giving me room.
His hand lands on my hip, and I rest my face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his comforting scent of cedarwood and leather, and nothing feels better than the warmth of his body holding mine.
Okay, I lied.
The orgasms this man has given me over the past week are incredible. He knows my body better than I do, and hasn’t been shy about taking me wherever he wants me. Kitchen, piano, outside on the patio under the stars . . . nothing is off limits.
And I’m lapping it up like a kitten with cream.
“Tuesday at midnight,” he confirms, and kisses the top of my head. “Forty million. You heard me. I’ll have six men there. Yes, just six. Draco is heading this, and he’s the best I have, next to Jack. He’s got it handled.”
He hangs up and sets the phone down before wrapping his arms around me and hugging me to him.
“Did you have fun today?” he asks.
“Yeah, I think Lulu is actually my friend.” I blink up at him. “I really like her.”
“Why does it surprise you that she’d be your friend, Angel?”
“Because I don’t have friends. Well, except for you. I was never allowed to get close to people. So, this is new. And I like it.”
I might have said too much. I don’t want my husband to pity me.
“You were a prisoner, not part of a family,” he says, shaking his head, and then he sees the bandage on my finger and scowls. “What’s this?”
“I shredded my finger instead of cheese.” His eyes jump to mine, and I offer him a little shrug. “Now I know not to do that.”
“I don’t like you being hurt,” he says before he kisses my finger, right over the bandage.
That comment makes me giggle, and he narrows his eyes at me.
“You torture men for a living, and my little cut makes you uncomfortable?”
He tips his head to the side, considering my comment, and then he simply nods. “Yes.”
I laugh and kiss his cheek. “I brought you cookies. I helped bake them, and I’m pretty sure they won’t kill you.”
“Only pretty sure?”
I press my lips together, enjoying this lighthearted side of my husband. “I’m ninety-nine percent sure.”
“I try not to put myself in danger at home, but I’ll risk it for you.” He reaches out to grab a cookie and takes a bite, and his eyebrows climb in surprise. “Delicious. And all mine. We’re not sharing these with anyone.”
With a smile, I brush my fingers into the hair at his nape. “They’re all for you, greedy man.”
“Mm.” The groan is full of satisfaction as he returns the uneaten portion to the plate and then moves it to a side table, clearing the top of the desk. Standing with me in his arms, he sets me on the desk. “You know what’s even more delicious”—he presses his lips to my neck—“and also all mine?”
“What?” My eyes close as I tip my head back, giving him more access. I love it when he bites my neck. I have all kinds of marks on me from the past week, and I love every single one.
“My wife.” He grazes his nose along my jawline as his hand cups my pussy through the leggings I’m wearing. “And this pussy.”
Suddenly, the crotch of my leggings is ripped, and cool air hits my already heated core just as his finger brushes through my slit.
“Fuck, baby.” Julian sits in his chair, scoots forward, and with his hands on my ass, he pulls my pussy to his face and licks me, from entrance to clit. “Better than cookies.”
“Oh God.” I’m resting back on one elbow and plunge my hand in his hair, holding on as he works me over. “You’re so good with your mouth.”
He hums, his fingers dig into the globes of my ass, and I know they’ll leave bruises.
I can’t wait to see them later.
“I’m going to come.” Is that my voice? All breathy and needy and full of lust. “Fuck, Julian, I’m going to . . . fuck.”
He sucks on my clit, circling his tongue around it, and I come apart, unable to stop the intense orgasm that washes through me, leaving me panting and whimpering.
Julian stands, unbuckles his belt, and opens his slacks, unleashing his cock, and then he pushes inside me, filling me so completely, I fall over another edge, squeezing around him.
“Jesus, you’re going to be the death of me,” he growls against my ear before slamming his mouth to mine.
I can taste myself on his lips, and I love it.
I lap at him, licking every drop from his mouth.
His cock expands inside me even more as he cants his hips back and forth, chasing his own release. “So. Fucking. Mine.”
He pushes his thumb against my clit, and that’s it for me. I fly over into oblivion with him, screaming his name as my body lights on fire for him.
“I’m going to make cookies every day,” I say as he peppers kisses over my neck, “if this is my reward.”
“Angel, I’ll eat this perfect cunt whenever you want, cookies or not. I’m always hungry for you.”