Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A n hour later, Lucky made her way through his massive mansion, taking in everything.
This would be where she lived and that felt surreal.
She followed her nose to the chef’s kitchen that she’d seen when she arrived.
Eventually finding it, she smiled in greeting at the male standing at the stove.
She assumed he was a chef. Did Ezra have a personal chef or was it someone he’d hired for the day?
Oop, would she live in a house that had a chef?
“Kaine is out in the sunroom. It’s set for your lunch,” the male informed her.
“Thank you.”
The sunroom was wide, filled with green plants that kept the sun from bombarding the enclosed space with light and heat.
Did he have someone who maintained his garden?
Probably so, but she couldn’t wait to add her plant babies to this gorgeous setting and get her hands on some of the more exotic plants she spotted.
Ezra stood at a patio table, a chair pulled out in front of him.
The table was set with fresh fruit and drinks and a floral centerpiece.
It was beautiful…romantic. God, this man.
She smiled at him as he held out her chair. Her heart fluttered at the gesture. He leaned down and kissed her shoulder before heading to the other side of the table.
“Comfortable?”
She nodded. “Very. I’m gonna be spoiled if this is the way you normally live.”
“I already told you how I’m coming with you, princess.”
Her cheeks heated. The chef brought their lunch. Her mouth watered at the salmon kabobs and Greek salad. She prayed over their food, and for a moment, they sat in companionable silence. Lucky looked around at the impressive backyard.
“Your home is beautiful.”
“Can you see yourself settling here?”
She smiled. “I can.”
He nodded, satisfied with that.
“Who did all the pictures all over the walls? I passed a few and they are amazing. Looking out at your yard, I can tell that they’re of the woods here.”
He looked sheepish for the first time ever and her eyes widened.
“Are you blushing?”
“I did the landscapes,” he finally admitted.
“Rah,” she gasped. “They are beyond impressive! You told me that photography was one of your hobbies, but I didn’t expect that level.”
“I have a darkroom.”
“Can I see it?” she asked, leaning forward.
He nodded. “After lunch.”
She settled comfortably back in her chair and studied her mate as she ate. “You are a man of many layers, Ezra Kaine.”
He smiled at her. “I guess there is something to you wanting us to get to know each other.”
“So, I was curious. Do you still attend your father’s church?”
He frowned. “At least twice a month. I don’t believe in him so much as the routine grounds me.”
“Makes sense. So, I’ll need to bring church clothes when I come visit.”
He chuckled. “All of your clothes should be here, as this is where you now belong.”
Instead of answering his point, she decided to give him her truth.
“I’ll admit to feeling a bit overwhelmed with all this. In my head, I had romanticized how meeting my mate would feel. This is…heavy.”
She laid down her fork and gave him her full attention.
“The feelings are already there and intense. It’s like my life didn’t really start until I saw you the first time and I know that’s not the case.
I’ve lived my life in a way that I would have no regrets when I met my mate.
Even still, meeting you has put all of that in shadow.
But then, there is this darkness about you and your life that I’m unsure how to navigate. Does that make sense?”
He nodded and sat back in his chair. “The life isn’t easy.
I won’t lie to you. By no means is it something that just anyone can integrate into.
My father tried when he mated with my mother.
My mother’s family comes from old money, I’m talking first freed Blacks money, and it took a lot for my father to enter that world, never mind having to deal with the Aces.
He felt out of place and it pricked at his pride.
It’s one of the reasons he tried to separate us all from the maternal side of our family. ”
“I hate that for you, Rah,” she whispered.
“I’m only telling you to let you know that for you, I would leave it all.”
Her heart thumped hard against her chest. She understood how much his tiger thrived in his current position and couldn’t imagine what it would do for him to leave it all behind.
“What about your siblings? You told me that your grandfather left the position to you because you were the strongest of the three.”
He shrugged, but she could see what he wasn’t saying. It would be hard for him to abandon his siblings to this life. She sighed and gripped his hand, bringing it up to her mouth to kiss.
“I would never ask you to change who you are, who you were raised to be. But I am asking for patience as I learn.”
He kissed her palm. “I see the way you move in this world, princess. I’m not worried about you holding your own.”
She smiled and ducked her head shyly. “I told you, my daddy ain’t raise no punk bitch.”
He laughed and released her hand. Pushing his chair back, he motioned for her to join him on his side of the table. She walked around the table and he pulled her into his lap. He nuzzled into her neck, and she sighed in pleasure as her panther roamed her body.
“I want to show you my darkroom, but tonight, I want you to run with me.”
Her panther bucked against her in excitement and Lucky could only nod her head as excitement filled her. Her cat wanted to meet his animal. But first, she definitely wanted to see his darkroom.
They finished lunch, the conversation between them flowing as if they’d known each other for years.
His chef had cleared the table and still, they talked.
It was late afternoon by the time Rah walked her inside.
They went down a hallway that led to the back of the mansion.
There was a room tucked away, a light bulb over it.
He pointed. “If that’s red, it means I’m working and the light will damage what I’m doing.”
She nodded, curiosity burning through her. The room was smaller than what she expected. There were no windows, and when he hit the switch, her eyes widened. There were pictures strung up over one of the tables and from the door, she could tell they were of her.
Releasing his hand, she rushed over, butterflies flitting around her stomach. There was no question of how Ezra saw her. The images were beautiful, and the softness he’d captured of her was something she wasn’t even aware she showed the world. Or was that only when she was with him?
Most of the pictures were from their walk in the park in Eastfield, but there were a couple of her while she slept. Swallowing down the lump in her throat, she turned a teasing smile to him.
“It’s not at all creepy that you follow me around and take pictures.”
“I can’t help that my mate is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She pointed her finger at him and hid her smile. “You and that mouth of yours.”
Unable to keep down the flood of emotion, she turned her back to him and studied the pictures. She ignored the ones of her in order to keep her composure. There were landscapes of the park and to see her city from the view of his camera gave her pride.
“You are hella talented,” she murmured as she looked through more of his pictures. “Why do you do it this way? I’m sure digital is faster.”
He grunted. “Maybe, but this is more peaceful.”
Lucky liked that answer a lot, loving that he had this outlet for himself. She turned back to her mate and walked her fingers across his arms. “Showing me your secrets, planning romantic lunches. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you’re trying to woo me, Mr. Kaine.”
“Is it working?” He tucked his head into the spot between her neck and shoulder.
“It most definitely is.” She turned so that their faces were mere millimeters apart. “Did you invite me over to your house just to show me your art?”
“I’m on whatever you’re on,” he said lowly, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb.
“Got any interesting art in your bedroom?”
He chuckled and lifted her. Her legs went around his waist and she pulled his head down.
“May I have a kiss?”
“Consent is so sexy,” he teased before lowering and kissing her softly. She sighed and her lips parted, inviting him in further.
Ezra kissed her as though he were starving, his grip on her thighs tight and possessive. He pulled back and his tiger was peeking from behind his gaze. Her panther answered immediately, rumbling her chest with a purr.
“As much as I want to take you upstairs, my cat wants to play.”
Her heart rate thundered and her breath got caught in her throat. Ezra nipped her chin, his canines lengthening as his voice deepened.
“Can I chase you, my baby?”