TWELVE #2
“Hm,” he softly hummed and I rested the side of my head against his chest.
“Where’s Kaden?” I suddenly asked in realization. My eyes trailed around the room but he was nowhere to be found.
Logan answered. “He has something to take care of with Lindsey.”
“He doesn’t like me, does he?” I sighed, lifting my head from Logan’s chest. I shared a quick glance between the two of them. “He doesn’t think I’m good enough?”
“He doesn’t know you,” Logan explained, running his hand down the side of my head. “And when he does get to know you, you won’t be able to get rid of him.”
That made me chuckle, thinking of Kaden being attached and clingy. I bet it would be adorable.
I paused in thought, suddenly feeling brave.
“So… does that mean that the two of you like me?” I asked, looking between them trying not to smile.
“What’s not to like?” Chase grinned, trailing his fingertips along my calf and scalding heat rushed to my face.
I covered my face with both hands, burying it in Logan’s chest and he chuckled, resting his hand on the back of my head.
“Bed?rende,” Chase murmured, but I couldn’t get myself to ask anymore questions.
* * *
I must’ve fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes, Chase was carrying me up the stairs in their house.
Lazily, I wrapped my arms around his neck, snuggling into his chest. “Where are you taking me?” I murmured as we reached the top of the stairs.
I could hear him smiling when he answered me. “Bed.”
My eyes shot open and I looked up at him. He held me with one hand, using the other to open the bedroom door.
“But I haven’t signed the contract.”
“Not my bed, Dakota,” he clarified and I let out a breath of relief. I don’t think I can handle another orgasm from them just yet.
He walked me toward the bed but my grip around him only tightened. I glanced down in suspicion, then back at him. “Has anyone slept in this bed?” my eyes narrowed.
“Don’t narrow your eyes at me.”
I listened.
“And no. No one has slept in this bed or been in this room.”
My reply was casual. “Good.”
He laid me down, and sat near the edge of the bed, helping me out of my shoes.
“I’m going to prepare you a bath. When you’re finished, come downstairs to eat.”
I nodded and watched him disappear into the bathroom.
I heard the water running into the bathtub, and a yawn soon escaped me. I tried, but couldn’t resist getting comfortable with my eyes threatening to fall closed.
He then carried me into the bathroom and set me down on the chair. He crouched down in front of me, and I looked from the bathtub to him.
“Bubbles?” I smiled, unable to hide my excitement, or interest.
“You like them?”
My nod was instant. “Love them.”
He smiled. “Noted.”
He reached for my corset but I stopped him.
My words were simply playful. “I can undress myself, but thank you, Mr. Madden.”
He nodded and stood to his full height. “I’ll be right back.”
He exited the bathroom and I got undressed, slipping into the bathtub. The water was warm, soothing my skin as I lifted my hair, having it hang over the edge of the tub.
He came back and placed a towel and a piece of silk clothing on the chair, then walked over to the edge where my head was positioned. He gathered my hair, tying it into a bun on top of my head and I thanked him.
When he stood in front of me again, I lifted my leg above water, gently trailing my fingertips along my skin.
“You’re not going to join me?” I asked, batting my eyelashes in attempted innocence but as usual, he saw right through me. It was fun teasing him.
His reply was smooth, like he was quoting me but was serious at the same time. “You haven’t signed the contract yet.”
“Hmph,” I shrugged as I placed my leg back down. I lifted myself a little higher—revealing way more of my cleavage above water—and I didn’t miss the resistance in his body. He was fighting me. “I guess I’ll see you downstairs then.”
His chest rose and fell.
“Unless you’d like to watch me?” I asked, lowering my voice to a subtle whisper.
I shifted forward, being closer to him as I placed my arms on the edge of the bathtub. I rested my chin on my arms, slowly dragging my eyes— that were directly in front of his hips— up his firm body, finally meeting his icy blue eyes.
“You know I enjoy you watching me,” I admitted.
His tone assured me that I was creeping into dangerous territory. “Dakota.”
“It was just a question, Mr. Madden,” I sighed, going back to laying comfortably. “You’re so strict. So formal. So authoritative—”
“Downstairs as soon as you’ve finished up,” he cut me off as though if he stayed any longer, he’d do something he shouldn’t.
He turned, and as soon as his large, muscular back trapped behind a white dress shirt came into view, I spoke—using the most playful tone I could muster. “Yes, Daddy.”
He froze.
My pulse quickened, but I couldn’t help the sly grin that spread across my lips. I watched his shoulders roll back before he left the bathroom and a reluctant chuckle slipped out of me. Oopsie.
After thinking things couldn’t get any better, they did. I had a magnitude of options. Before me, I had scented soap, unscented soap, body wash, a wash cloth, a loofah—even a pair of exfoliating gloves. Oh my God.
I finished up and got out, wrapping the towel around my body. The compartments and drawers were filled with body lotions, body oils, essential oils, body mists—the whole shebang. Well, they clearly know the way to a woman’s heart.
All the products were brand new—sealed and untouched. I was one step closer to signing that damn contract already.
I lathered myself up and when I reached for the silk material, I realized it was a white robe. I lifted it, looked down at the empty chair, shook the robe, looked beside the chair, looked underneath the chair, but nothing. It was just the robe.
This must be a joke. They can’t surely expect me to strut around the house in a silk robe with absolutely nothing underneath.
Reluctantly, I slipped on the robe and tightened the belt before tidying up the bathroom.
I could hear the guys conversing when I approached the kitchen, and when I entered, I spoke before either of them could.
“So, neither of you are going to cough up some sweatpants and a pair of boxers?”
Chase was at the stove, Logan was seated at the kitchen island, and Kaden was leaning against the countertop beside Chase— already facing me.
They stared back at me in confusion and I crossed my arms over my chest.
“I can’t walk around in nothing but a silk robe,” I retorted. Wasn’t it obvious?
“Why not?” Logan almost immediately asked.
I could almost laugh. “I just can’t.”
Chase turned away from the stove, facing me entirely before speaking. “There’s nothing wrong with—”
“Yes, there is,” I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m practically walking around with nothing on.”
“Don’t interrupt me.”
“Then give me something else to wear.”
“No,” Logan simply gave his shoulder a shrug like he didn’t understand why I was protesting.
As of right now, I was in control. But, only because I hadn’t signed the contract yet, meaning they couldn’t discipline me.
“Fine,” I scoffed, loosening my robe to reveal my naked body. They want me exposed? That’s exactly what they’ll get.
Heavy tension hung in the room and when I met Kaden’s gaze, his pupils were blown—deadly. There was something spine chillingly dark and sinister about his tone. “Close it.”
My eyes wrinkled at the corners, my words holding a taunt. “Bite me.”