Page 167 of Sinclair Duet
The plush towel fell near my feet.
I lowered my tone. “I hope you like what you see.”
Ella’s smile grew. “Very much and I like that you’re showing it to me.”
“Only you.” Ella knew me better than anyone. Nudity was perfect when a woman was stark naked. I’d be okay with making that a house dress code. When it came to me, it was another story. I liked the power of inequality.
From my perspective, allowing a woman to see me as I was now was more than sexual. It evened the playing field, and I wasn’t about even, not with anyone other than Ella.
I was about to throw back the covers and climb into bed exactly as I was when my phone rang. Ella leaned across the bed to read the screen. “It’s Marsha.”
“Saved by the bell,” I said as I nodded toward the phone. “Answer it for me. I’ll put on my boxers.”
Ella laughed. “Talking to your mom naked is…” Her nose scrunched. “Wait, if I answer your phone, she’ll know we’re together.”
“Yeah, she still thinks we’re married.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Ella pursed her lips.
“Hi, Marsha.” I heard her say as I went into the large closet and slipped into a clean pair of boxers. As I came back out, she said, “That’s good news. Here, let me pass you to Damien.”
I took the phone. “Hi, Mom. What’s the good news?”
Mom proceeded to tell me what she’d no doubt just explained to Ella. Dad was progressing. His blood pressure and pulse oximeter readings were good. It meant his heart was doing its job. On top of that, they’d lowered his pain medicine. After the update, she added, “I read about the news conference.”
“It’s nothing, Mom. Dani and I have everything under control.”
“I figured you did.”
I almost mentioned Ella’s and my invalid marriage and the one with Amber. However, as I constructed the sentences in my head, I decided Mom had enough concerns. I’d rather tell her after the annulment was filed.
After disconnecting the call, I made my way beneath the covers. Ella laid her laptop on the bedside stand and turned off the lamp. As darkness covered the room, she curled against my side, her head on my shoulder.
“I don’t think I would want to be alone after what Amber did.”
Wrapping my arm around her, I pulled her close. “You’re not alone. You never will be if I have my way.”
“Don’t you always get your way?”
“Not always, but my average isn’t bad. Sometimes it takes longer than I want.” Like having you back in my arms.
I kissed the top of her head.
“Why spy on us?” she asked.
“I’ve been thinking about it and I’ve come up with a few options. (A) she’s obsessed with me.”
“Yeah, because all women are.”
“(B) She—and maybe my brother—want proof of Dwain Welsh’s concern.”
Ella lifted her head. “That I’m sharing trade secrets with you from the coalition?”
I nodded.
“And taking Duchess?” she asked.
“A power play.”