Chapter 34
STERLING
I woke to the scent of lavender wafting in through the open windows and the warmth of Laney’s body against mine. Sunlight filtered in through the sheer curtains, painting golden stripes across the floor, the bed, and her bare shoulder where the sheets had slipped down sometime during the night.
Her cheek was on my chest, her breath warm against my skin, and her fingers curled in the fabric of my T-shirt like she was afraid I might disappear. It wasn’t something she needed to worry about. I wasn’t going fucking anywhere.
I didn’t move. This could become a serious problem for me, waking up with her in my arms. I could easily get addicted to it.
Turning my head toward her, I dropped a soft kiss on her hair and, for possibly the first time ever, smiled before I’d even opened my eyes all the way. Naturally, that meant life got in the way just a few seconds later.
My phone buzzed. I ignored it, leaving it exactly where it was, plugged in on the nightstand, but when the buzzing started once more, the gentle clatter of the device on the wood let me know that whoever it was, they weren’t going to give up.
I swore under my breath and carefully stretched my arm out to grab it without jostling her. Harlan Westwood was scrawled across my screen. I suppressed a groan and rolled as far onto my side as I could without risking waking her.
I accepted the call and whispered into the receiver. “What?”
“Is that how you greet your father now?” he said cheerfully, already two cups of coffee deep by the sounds of it. “Marriage truly has made you a ray of sunshine, hasn’t it?”
“I’m trying not to wake her,” I whispered. “Is this urgent?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t have called otherwise, now would I? It’s nice that she’s still asleep. It must mean that she’s finally relaxed with you.” He paused. “It’s also good to know you’re sleeping in the same bed now.”
I ran a hand over my face and slipped out from under Laney’s arm. She murmured something in her sleep but didn’t stir. Once I was on the edge of the bed, I paused to make sure she stayed still. Then I padded across the room, grabbed a pair of sweats from the dresser, and slid them on.
The house was still and quiet in that way I never really experienced anywhere else. This was the kind of quiet I could feel, with only the beams overhead creaking softly in the morning heat.
Finally, when I was on my way downstairs, I turned my attention back to my father. “How did you know we weren’t sleeping in the same bed before?”
He chuckled. “How quickly they forget that their parents have been there before.”
I groaned, still keeping my voice low out of instinct. “If you’re about to launch into a list of baby-making tips, I’m hanging up on you.”
“Obviously, my tips would work.” He chortled. “At last count, I did manage to make four of you before we actively decided not to make any more. If you ever need?—”
“I don’t. Thank you.” I inhaled a deep breath and savored the scents of old wood, fresh coffee beans, and more lavender drifting through the air. “What’s up? You said it was important.”
I strode into the farm-style kitchen and flicked on the espresso machine, letting it warm. I leaned against the cool marble counter. Outside, it was starting to look like it was going to be another beautiful day, the sky bright blue and not a cloud in sight.
“Alright, well, if you think you’ve got the baby-making thing all figured out, then let’s move on,” Dad said. “You skipped last night’s family dinner.”
“We’re in Napa. I was hardly going to drive back for it, but tell Mom I’m sorry I didn’t let her know. I’m sure she’ll live.”
“She wanted to see Laney,” he said. “CC has been baking, Sterling. That never happens. We’re all concerned, but she was really looking forward to giving her daughter a batch of her muffins.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Tell her I’ll bring Laney over next week.”
“You sound relaxed,” he said after a beat. “That’s unusual.”
“Maybe that’s because I’m in wine country with my wife, but you’re ruining it.”
He laughed. “You could’ve told us you were taking her to Napa. It’s a surprising choice for a honeymoon, but how’s it going? I wouldn’t have called so early if I’d known.”
“It’s not a honeymoon.” I sighed but then hesitated. “It’s, uh, yeah. It’s going well.”
The espresso machine finally hissed to life and I poured two shots into a pair of matte black cups. I could still smell her on me. Vanilla, shampoo, some kind of fruity lotion. Whatever it was, it lingered like a memory I didn’t want to shake.
“Didn’t I tell you arranged marriages have their place?” he asked happily and I didn’t bother responding because there was no point interrupting when he was on a roll. “There’s no nonsense. No drama. Just two people who understand what’s expected. It’s nice and clean. You both get what?—”
“I didn’t marry her because it was clean,” I said, cutting him off. “It’s also not just about what I need.”
“Of course, but let me finish,” he said, still sounding just as happy as he had before.
“What I mean is that both parties know exactly what to expect, and if it’s the right match, the love and all that other jazz comes naturally after, but without all the fuss in the beginning that people traditionally have to worry about. ”
“Mine must’ve been the right match, then,” I admitted before I took a sip of espresso.
It was exactly as I liked it, bitter and hot as hell.
Feeling a little more grounded after I swallowed, I decided to do yet another thing that was out of character for me and opened up a little.
“It doesn’t just feel like a contractual thing to me anymore. ”
“Well,” he said after a brief pause. “Maybe it’s already becoming more real than I thought.”
“Yeah,” I agreed quietly. “Maybe.”
He recovered fast, although I could tell he was surprised by my admission. “Jameson’s being a moody bastard, by the way. The kid’s been walking around acting like someone kicked his dog, but he doesn’t even have one of those. It’s odd, especially for him. Do you know anything about that?”
“Ask him,” I said, but my mind flashed to the way Sadie had ignored him so steadfastly at the party.
I had no idea why that would’ve ticked him off, though.
As far as I knew, they’d never been particularly close, nor had he seen her for years before, so unless I was missing something, it couldn’t have been that.
“Maybe he just finally figured out his car doesn’t count as part of his personality. That would’ve done the trick.”
“Maybe, but I’m sensing something bigger,” Dad mused. “That boy has never let anything get him down, much less send his mood into the shitter for a week.”
“Whatever it is, he’ll get over it. You know him. He doesn’t get hung up on stuff.”
“True.” Dad blew out a deep breath. “I won’t keep you much longer. I’ve just got one last thing to discuss with you.”
“Yeah, what’s that? Callum moody too?”
“No, thank God for small mercies. Between Jameson and your mother, there are enough emotions on this estate today to last me a lifetime. I’ve actually been thinking that we should invite Vincent to dinner next Friday.”
My stomach turned. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not,” he said without even thinking about it. “Optics matter, son. Your marriage to Laney is in the spotlight. Vincent is her family, which means he’s our family now too. We might as well try to bring him into the fold.”
“Or exile him to the South Pole,” I said dryly. “I tried bringing him into the fold. He doesn’t want anything to do with our family.”
“And yet, I’m asking you to make it happen.”
I took another sip of my espresso, desperately needing to feel grounded again. “I’m telling you, it’s a terrible idea.”
“Just invite him, Sterling.”
That’s an order . He didn’t say the words, but he didn’t have to.
It would’ve been enough to ruin my day if it hadn’t been for the footsteps I suddenly heard behind me. They were barely audible, but I spun around anyway, and for a moment, it felt like my world was tilting on its axis.
Laney was awake, wearing nothing but the white button-down I’d had on yesterday.
It was only half-buttoned, falling to her thighs.
Her hair was still tousled, a wavy strawberry gold halo around her head.
Those eyes were still heavy with sleep and she was barefoot, blinking at me like she wasn’t sure if she was awake yet.
Sunlight caught the outline of her legs through the thin fabric and the sight hit me square in the chest. My pulse tripped over itself and my libido roared back to life in an instant.
“I’ve got to go,” I told my dad, then hung up without waiting for his response.
As my gaze met hers, I set the espresso down, crossed the room in three strides, and scooped her up onto the counter like I had a hundred perfectly valid reasons to touch her. She laughed lazily and spread her legs as I stepped between them.
“Good morning,” she said quietly, her voice still breathy with sleep. “How long have you been up?”
“Let’s just say that you’re late,” I murmured, grinning against her lips.
She pulled away a little to give me a questioning look. Barely restrained laughter sparkled in her eyes. “Late for what?”
Instead of an immediate verbal response, I pressed my lips to hers, feeling those soft cushions like they were wrapping themselves around my soul and my dick at the same time. I kissed her slow and deep, feeling her smile against my mouth.
“For ruining me,” I murmured into the kiss. “Or maybe you’re late for me ruining you. I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but I think you might be able to help me with that.”