Chapter 8
Emilia
It’s late when I wake up the next morning because someone had me tossing and turning half the night. I’m kind of shocked when I discover it’s after ten.
After a quick shower, I decide to put on a tie-dye cotton T-shirt dress. Nothing under it. Just the dress. It’s risky. I don’t want panties because they would dig into my sore butt, and I’m leaving off the bra because I suspect it will get a rise out of Haden when I see him.
I smile as I stare at myself in the mirror.
Hair down, brushed to silky smooth. No makeup.
I don’t wear it often. I have dark lashes and eyebrows.
My lips are pink. There’s not much reason to add anything.
I used to wear mascara and lip gloss at school, but I’ve gone more natural since arriving here. Who was there to impress?
No one. Not until yesterday. And somehow I don’t think makeup is the sort of thing that impresses Haden.
I’m casual today, so I add white sneakers and then leave my room, aiming for the kitchen. I’m going to need something in my stomach and then coffee before I face Haden.
Gretchen is at the island, hard at work. She smiles warmly as usual. “Good morning, Emilia. What can I get you?”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t up earlier. Is there something super easy I can grab to tide me over until lunch?”
She points toward one of the barstools across from where she’s kneading dough. I suspect it’s for dinner, and I’m already salivating. This woman spoils us with homemade bread. And it’s not just her. Claire’s parents own the bakery in town. There’s always an assortment of pastries around.
In fact, Gretchen sets a box in front of me and opens it. “Claire’s mom dropped these off this morning.”
My mouth waters as I select an apple Danish, grateful when Gretchen pours me a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice. I’m truly spoiled. Who would leave this mansion?
The thought startles me. I haven’t made a decision about school. I need to soon. If I’m not going to start in the fall, I should let the university know.
Yes, the idea of Haden arriving made me stay as long as I have, but the place has also grown on me. It sucks people in and doesn’t let them go. I’m afraid I’m a victim. What about Haden? Will he fall for the wiles of the mansion and its inhabitants, too?
In my head, I’m already halfway into a relationship with Haden. What if things don’t work out between us? How the hell can we possibly co-exist in this space? It’s a big house, but I will run into him every day. There’s no avoiding anyone who lives here when we meet for dinner every night.
I’m determined to make things work with Haden. Luckily, even though I went to bed extremely late, I slept hard. Now I have a renewed goal to confront him and force him to “see” me. See me as a woman. See me as his woman.
I don’t have a choice. Walking away isn’t an option. I’ve been half in love with him for four years. I’m not going to let the tiny detail about him being a firm Dominant keep me from trying to woo him into my bed.
I’m confident he’s interested in me, too.
He wouldn’t have touched me if he wasn’t.
He didn’t have to invite me into his space.
He could have sent me on my way. He sure as hell didn’t have to take my panties, spank me, and order me not to masturbate.
On top of that, he refused to return my underwear.
He’s interested.
As soon as the Danish and juice are finished, I hop down, take my dishes to the sink, and pour myself a cup of coffee. After adding a significant amount of cream and sugar to make it palatable, I head for the back door, mug in hand.
There’s a lot going on outside this morning. So this is where all the men are.
Ryder and Tiago are currently guiding a semi to a spot over by the enormous garage.
I forgot the foreman’s work trailer was being delivered today.
The foreman is Haden. The brand-new prefab will house his office with plenty of space for people to come and go and to hold meetings. I’ve seen the specs.
Dallas comes from behind the semi, waves toward me, and heads in my direction. He’s smirking. What the hell?
I take a sip of coffee, rooting myself to the spot. I’m not far from the RV, and I don’t see Haden anywhere.
When Dallas gets close enough for me to hear him over the engines and loud voices, he gives me an ever more pronounced version of the signature Wilde smirk. “So, Haden, huh?”
I nearly drop my coffee.
He laughs. “Brody and I saw you come out here last night. Plus, we aren’t blind. You spent most of the day with him yesterday, and at dinner, you kept staring at him like a puppy.”
Pursing my lips, I look away.
“Wanna know more, squirt?” Dallas teases.
“Not really,” I grumble.
“Brody and Haden went for a jog together this morning. They talked. Then Brody filled me in.”
There’s a solid chance I might collapse. My legs feel weak. I’m gripping my mug so hard my fingers hurt. I have to force myself to take another sip of coffee, trying desperately not to let this information bother me.
It’s not like I could chase Haden around without people knowing, but I hadn’t realized I’d been so obvious. I’m confused by Dallas’s reaction to this news, but I’m not about to ask questions. He’ll spit out his opinion in a moment.
Dallas finally continues, “I’ll admit I don’t know Haden as well as Brody does. The two of them have been friends and coworkers for years. But Brody is confident Haden would never hurt you and wouldn’t dare use you, so you can stop sneaking around. We’re good with it.”
I jerk my gaze to him. Is he serious? That’s rather unexpected. I mean, I didn’t think my brothers would stand in my way forever, but I assumed they would be more hesitant and need some time to accept whatever this is.
I’m feeling ridiculously certain about my feelings toward Haden this morning.
I shouldn’t be. He sent me back to the mansion last night like a naughty child.
Told me to think. He more or less threatened that if I wanted to take this step with him, I would be submitting to a very firm Dominant for the rest of my life.
The thing is, I spent half the night thinking. He did not scare me off. I want what he’s offering. I went over every bossy thing he said to me in my head, and each time he ordered me around, tingles trailed up my spine.
I wasn’t aware I had a submissive side. Maybe I wouldn’t if it were any other man. But it’s Haden. He could command me to do just about anything, and I would probably comply.
Am I nervous? Yes. But I’m also confident I’m making the right decision.
I suddenly feel Haden’s presence approaching from behind a second before Dallas lifts his gaze to look over my head. He smirks again, nods, and walks away.
There’s a solid chance I’m going to break this mug with my bare hands if I squeeze it any tighter.
I don’t turn around. I don’t need to. Haden doesn’t face me, nor does he stop a few feet away.
Nope. He continues until his hands are on my shoulders and his front presses against my back.
He lowers his mouth to my ear. “RV, naughty girl.”
That’s it. That’s all he says before he angles us toward his new home and nudges me forward.
His tone makes me think I’m in trouble, though I’m not sure what I’ve done this morning to warrant reprimanding. I’m certain it’s something, though, and I’m smiling because I really fucking like it when he talks to me like that.
There’s a solid chance that I’m going to start doing anything to make Haden chastise me because every time he does, my pussy clenches.
I suspect it will be difficult to know what might trigger him.
He’ll just make things up because he enjoys scolding me at least as much as I enjoy being on the receiving end of it.
I’m half surprised he doesn’t swat my bottom to get me to move faster. This is a curious turn of events. We haven’t even spoken to each other since he sent me to my room last night. And yet, he’s claiming me in front of every man who lives in the house.
I don’t see any of the wives yet, but in my peripheral vision, I notice Ryder, Tiago, and Brody have stopped what they’re doing to watch as I’m marched into the RV. Apparently, Haden made a decision about us without my knowledge.
I’m not sorry about that either because now I don’t have to grovel. I don’t even need to confront my brothers and cousins. He’s already on top of that.
As soon as we’re inside, he takes my coffee from me and looks into the mug. I expect him to ask if I want more. Maybe he has a pot out here in the RV. But that’s not what happens.
“Are you done with this, jitterbug?”
I shiver at the soft timbre in his voice. “Yes.” I don’t think I could possibly drink more of it. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to swallow again. I’m trembling for reasons I can’t explain.
He sets the cup in the small sink, lifts my chin with a finger, and holds my gaze. Fuck, he’s intense. “No more coffee, jitterbug.”
I frown. What’s he talking about?
“It’s not good for you, and you can’t have it while you’re pregnant, so make a clean break right now. Got it?”
My knees finally buckle.
Haden catches me, his arm coming around me to keep me upright.
Surely I misheard him.
He lifts a brow. I’m learning that’s what he does when he wants a response.
“Uhh…” I’m not sure what the question was, let alone the correct answer.
“Coffee, Emilia. That was your last cup.”
I lick my lips.
He lifts the brow higher.
Wetness drips from my pussy. It doesn’t even matter what he’s ordering me to do or not do.
What makes me swoon is his tone. “Yes, Sir.” I can’t help but both obey him and agree to his odd request. I’m not that hooked on coffee.
I started drinking it in college because everyone did, and I’ve had a cup every morning since then out of habit.
By the time I’ve made it palatable, it barely resembles coffee. It’s more tan than brown.
“Good girl.” He slowly releases me.