Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
FALLON
I f I can be anything, it’s quiet. I learned quickly when I was younger how to slip around my father’s estate without being detected. I mastered the art of blending in and disappearing into the background, hoping they would forget I was there at all.
I never felt guilty when I snuck around, but right now as I listen in on the conversation in the kitchen, I do. Everyone here has been kind to me, and now I’m eavesdropping on them, but it’s hard not to when you know it’s you they’re talking about.
I was disappointed that Rich hadn't returned by the time I finished the bath. It’s not really his fault. After I slipped into the tub, I immediately started to miss him. A panic and anxiety began growing in his absence. I’d quickly gotten out, needing to be near him again.
I’ve only known the man for a matter of hours, and I’m already latching myself on to him. I need to be careful, or he’ll get annoyed with me. I should stay up in his room, keep to myself and not bug him. If I annoy him, he’ll be done with me sooner, and then what will I do? I don’t have anywhere to go.
My chest aches at the thought. Surprisingly, it’s not the thought of not having anywhere to go but of Rich wanting me gone. That day will eventually come, won't it? It has to. I can’t stay here forever. My thoughts don’t help with my growing anxiety.
“Hello.” I let out a scream, spinning around at the sound of a man's voice behind me. The tall man's brows lift; he holds up his hands, taking a step back.
“Sorry, if I—” He cuts off, taking another few steps back.
“Dollface.” A hand wraps around me from behind, pressing to my stomach and forcing me to step back. I don’t have to look to know who it is. Even without him saying dollface, I know Rich’s touch already. The smell of him wraps around me, easing my anxiety. His chest pressed into my back makes me feel safe.
“I’m okay,” I whisper. Rich turns me in his arms.
“That’s Jack. He works for West. He’s harmless.”
“Not sure if I should be offended by that or not,” Jack responds.
“He is a pain in the ass,” West says. “But typically a much-needed one.”
“Are you hungry? I made food,” Teddy asks. At least I think it’s her. All I can see right now is Rich; the man is a giant. I think he may be three times my size. I barely come up to the middle of his chest.
“We can go back to our room,” Rich tells me, and I wonder if he knows he said our room, but he likely misspoke is all.
“I could eat.” I stare up into Rich’s eyes.
“Only if you want to. We can eat in our room if it makes you more comfortable.”
“Stop hogging her,” Teddy huffs, and I remember Rich telling me how she can be a mother hen around here.
Rich lifts his brows, not saying a word, but the question is clear. Whatever I choose is what is going to happen. Emotion floods me at the realization that I have never had the opportunity to choose before, and there is someone standing in front of me that is willing to make sure that I get that.
I nod my head. Rich’s lips turn up in a small smile. “I guess I’ll share you with them if I have to.” He winks at me. He takes my hand, stepping aside, and that’s when I see everyone has gathered around.
“Stop crowding her,” Rich barks at them. Both girls roll their eyes, not the least bit scared of him. That is so telling.
“Come on.” Teddy nods for me to follow her, and everyone does. They all gather around the kitchen island. King lifts Willa by her hips, sitting her on it. Rich pulls out one of the chairs for me. I sit down, and he lays his arm across the back, standing right next to me.
Everyone falls into conversation. Teddy is leading most of it. I think she is trying to make things light. Every now and then, she glances over toward me and smiles.
“Hope you like pasta. It’s everyone’s favorite around here,” Teddy says.
I nod. “The soup was wonderful. Thank you. The cake too.” Her face lights up at my compliments.
“Good, and no need to thank me. I love cooking.”
“And me,” West adds.
“I suppose,” she teases him. I tense when he smacks her ass, but Teddy only laughs.
“Are you okay, dollface?” Rich whispers into my ear.
“Yes.” It's nice to watch all of them interact. This is so different from my home. I have never experienced anything like this. It's surreal and dreamlike. I wonder if they know how special this all is. That most people would do anything to share what all of them do.
It’s not long before everyone is sitting around a dining room table together. Teddy’s mom, Eden, ends up joining us with Jack. With how he touches her, I think they might be together, but I don’t want to ask.
Rich pulls my chair into him and turns to sit sideways, my chair between his thighs. “You eat too,” I whisper to him.
“Yes, ma’am.” He takes a bite of his food. I do the same. I clear my plate faster than I should. “You want more, babe?” Rich asks.
“No.” I shake my head. I’m stuffed at this point, but I don’t want this to end. I’m not even participating in the conversation, but it’s so nice to just listen. I especially love how Teddy and Willa interact.
They may not be related, but you would without a doubt think they were sisters. They share a closeness with each other that I’ve never known. It’s refreshing, and it makes me long to have those types of relationships. I find myself leaning into Rich, my eyes growing heavy.
They flutter open when I feel my body moving. Rich is lifting me into his arms. Without a second thought, I wrap mine around his neck, resting my head on his chest like it’s the most natural thing for us.
“Time to go back to bed.” I only nod.
When Rich puts me down on the bed, I’m disappointed. I don’t want to let him go, but I release my arms from around his neck, knowing I can’t cling to the man. “I’m going to shower and then get some sleep too,” he tells me.
“Okay.” I cuddle down into the bed and watch him go to his closet and come out with clothes before disappearing into the bathroom.
Where will he sleep? I’m in his bed. The thing is massive, so we could easily share it.
I want to share it. I think I’d sleep better next to him. He was so good with me when I woke up from my nightmare. I only hope he’s on the same page as me when it comes to the sleeping arrangements.
“You’re still awake,” Rich says when he steps out of the bathroom. His hair is wet, but my eyes go straight to his bare chest.
Holy crap. He looks like a work of art. As though his body was hand sculpted by Michelangelo himself. My eyes eat up every detail, loving every inch of him I take in. I’m disappointed when I get to the towel that’s wrapped around his waist, covering the rest of him.
“Ahem.” Rich clears his throat, breaking me out of my lust-filled daze. My cheeks immediately pinken with embarrassment.
I try to remember what it was he was saying so I can answer him, but I’m too frazzled. I close my eyes, hoping the floor will open and swallow me. I wait a few seconds and peek one eye open. I’m greeted with not only that perfect body of his but now he’s wearing a sexy as hell smirk.
“What?”
His lips curl in a knowing smile. “You’re still awake.”
“Oh.” Right, that’s what he said.
“I forgot my boxers. Give me a second.” He slips back into his closet. When he comes back out, he’s in sweatpants, his chest still bare.
“Are you sleeping in the bed?” I blurt out my question.
“Do you want me to sleep in the bed?” I nod my head, thankful that’s all I need to do. I was sure we’d get into a back and forth about how he’d take the couch. I would pretend that I would, but he made it simple for me. “Good.” Rich walks over to the side of the bed, leaning down, he kisses the top of my head.
The gesture is so sweet. Then he goes around to the other side, slipping under the blanket. “I left the closet light on,” he tells me when he flips off the lights in the room. It illuminates part of the bedroom so that you can still see.
“Thank you.” I wiggle back down into the bed, rolling to face him. Rich doesn’t do the same.
“Night, dollface.”
“Night, Rich,” I whisper back, closing my eyes, praying that when I open them, this all isn’t just a dream.