The contrast between his meager belongings and my three-floor penthouse with its soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city struck me as almost obscene.
Connor stood frozen in the center of the foyer, looking like he was afraid to touch anything. His borrowed clothes—the ones I'd had delivered to the hotel—hung a bit loosely on his frame, making him appear younger and more vulnerable than he had last night.
Last night, when he'd been anything but vulnerable.
I cleared my throat, banishing the memory of his hands on my body. "The staff will be waiting in the main living room. They usually arrive at six, but I called them in early given the... circumstances."
"Staff?" Connor's eyes widened further. "Like, plural?"
"Just a housekeeper, a cook, and my personal assistant," I said, as if that were the most normal thing in the world, which, in my world, it was.
I led the way through the foyer, my wheels gliding silently over the marble floor and then onto the plush carpet of the main living area. Connor followed, his footsteps hesitant behind me.
The staff stood in a neat line—Mrs. Chen, my housekeeper; James, my personal chef; and Natalie, my assistant.
All three wore expressions of professional neutrality that didn't quite hide their curiosity. I'd called ahead, of course, to inform them I was bringing home a husband.
The word had sounded strange even to my own ears.
"Everyone," I said, stopping my chair in front of them, "I'd like you to meet Connor Montgomery, my husband."
The word still felt foreign on my tongue—husband—like trying to pronounce a word from a language I'd never studied. Yet there was also something possessive in it that sent an unexpected thrill through me.
Get a grip, Julian. This is business, not pleasure.
Except that wasn't entirely true, was it? Not after last night.
Mrs. Chen's eyebrows shot up so high they nearly disappeared into her hairline, though she quickly schooledher features back into professional composure. James's mouth opened slightly before he caught himself.
Only Natalie, who had been with me through the worst days after my accident, managed to maintain her perfect poker face.
"Yes, it was a whirlwind romance," I added dryly, unable to resist. "Shakespeare would be jealous."
Connor shot me a look that was half-amusement, half-exasperation. I hadn't expected him to appreciate the humor—most people found my dry wit off-putting—but there was a spark of understanding in his eyes that caught me off guard.
"It's lovely to meet you all," Connor said, stepping forward with more confidence than I'd expected. He extended his hand first to Mrs. Chen, who took it with a slight bow.
"Welcome home, Mr. Montgomery," she said, the smallest emphasis on his new surname.
Connor flushed slightly at the name, the pink creeping up his neck in a way that was oddly endearing.
God, I was losing my mind.
"Thank you," he replied, somehow managing dignity despite his obvious discomfort. "I hope I won't be too much trouble."
"It's our job to assist," Natalie said smoothly, taking his hand next. Her eyes flicked to me briefly, full of questions she was too professional to ask in front of others. "If you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask."
James was last, offering a warm smile along with his handshake. "Any dietary restrictions or preferences I should know about, Mr. Montgomery?"
Connor looked momentarily startled at being asked his preferences, as if the concept was alien. "I... eat pretty much anything. I'm not picky."
I wonder how many meals he's skipped to make rent.
The thought came unbidden, followed by an unexpected surge of protectiveness. "Connor will need breakfast ready byseven tomorrow," I said, taking control of the conversation. "I'll be showing him around the penthouse this evening. Mrs. Chen, please prepare the master suite for both of us."
That last directive made Connor's eyes widen slightly, but he didn't contradict me. Good. At least he understood that appearances mattered.
"Of course, Mr. Montgomery," Mrs. Chen replied, her tone giving nothing away. "I'll see to it immediately."
