Page 59 of Echoes of Temptation
“No one else I’d rather have to carry my babies, Madaline,” I tell her. “Now, come on. I want to show you your new home.”
“My new what?”
“Home, baby. Your new home.”
“I have an apartment,” she reminds me.
“Of which you can’t seem to relax in,” I tell her gently. “Besides, I’ve always planned on moving you in here. I already have your office emptied out and ready to redecorate. I just need you to choose the furniture you want.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, baby. Now, let’s go inside and eat dinner.”
“Babies, new home, office furniture, dinner. Did I just get married?”
“Not yet, Madaline. But that will be happening far sooner than you’re ready for.”
She’s silent as we make our way through the garage entrance and straight into the pantry.
“I’ll show you how to activate and deactivate the security system tomorrow,” I explain as I reactivate the system. “Just know that you’re safe inside these walls.”
“What about outside?” she asks. “Is your kink chamber nearby.”
Sighing, I remind myself to kick some asses later.
“No baby,” I say, tickling her sides. “My kink chamber is nowhere near our home. It won’t ever touch you.”
Laughing, she pulls away and walks confidently out of the pantry. Seeing her in our home settles something in my soul. I had already made the decision months ago to no longer take any more cases, but getting this glimpse into my future simply solidifies it.
I’m done. We don’t need the money. I’ve made enough to last us many lifetimes. I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving this woman and any children she gives me and keeping my entire family safe.
Madaline walks over to the couch and settles down with a long sigh.
“Finally,” she says after a few long moments. “This is it. This is what I’ve been searching for.”
“And what is it that you’ve been searching for, baby?” I ask from the kitchen.
The living area and kitchen are an open concept space, and I can’t help but picture her heavy with my child as she wobbles about from room to room.
“Peace,” she whispers. “I can close my eyes and feel at peace. Almost like this is the home I’ve been searching for my entire life. Except it’s not the building itself. I felt this way at the clubhouse and on your bike as I leaned against your back. Wherever you are is where I feel like I belong. My one true home.”
Fuck.
I walk over and yank Madaline onto her feet.
“Where are we going now?” she asks as I practically drag her from the room to the staircase.
“To bed,” I growl.
“It’s six in the evening,” she laughs. “I’m not ready for bed. Besides, I want to see the house. What happened to my tour?”
“We’ll tour later.”
Madaline laughs as she follows me up the stairs. But it’s a nervous laugh and that’s okay.
“This is the most male bedroom I’ve ever seen,” she says.
Stepping into the room with Madaline, I try to see it through her eyes. The black four-poster bed dominates the room while its silk blankets exude luxury. Dark wooden furniture adds to the masculinity, complementing the bed perfectly. A plush rug offers warmth against the cool silk, while charcoal walls provide a dramatic backdrop. It's a space that speaks of strength and confidence.