“Am I wrong, son?”
The air is so thick with crackling tension, I have to remind myself to breathe.
Phoenix cradles my face in his strong hands and drops a soft kiss against my lips. “I reckon you’re right on the money, Dad.”
Chapter 32
Phoenix
After a great day and evening at Dad’s with Slate and Wilder, we’re home.
“I still can’t get over this level of luxury,” Michaela says as we step out of the elevator that opens into the penthouse. “And Iget to live here now.”
“Get used to it,” I say. I’m just about to tack on,for the next year, but I don’t. Those words leave a bad taste in my mouth.
“Tu casa es una casa enorme, elegante, y magnífica, hombre,” Michaela says with exaggerated hand gestures.
Translation:Your house is enormous, elegant, and magnificent, buddy.
“No, mujer, mi casa es su casa—nuestra casa,” I say, waving my finger between us.
Translation:No, woman. My house is your house—so our house.
I may not be fluent in Spanish, but living in LA and employing a number of staff of Hispanic origin, I get by.
“Bueno.Nuestra casa.” She smiles. “Your enormous, elegant, and magnificent penthouse isourhome.”
I wink.
There was no time for her to move to my place after the wedding because we were flying out to Paris, but since our return, Michaela and I have been living together. The highlight of the move was when she discovered her walk-in closet jam-packed with designer clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry. Thanks to the astute buyers at our hotel boutiques, I was able to replace everything she lost in the fire. I even had Niels ship her family heirlooms. The irreplaceable jewelery is stored in a safe in my home office. She was jumping up and down, clapping her hands together for a solid five minutes.
Phoenix König shacking up with a woman.
Unbelievable.
I didn’t know what to expect, but contrary to what I thought, I don’t feel like I’m suffocating. The few times Marie-Clémence stayed over at my former penthouse while we were seeing each other, I always knew there was a way out. It wasn’t permanent. But I’m married to Michaela. I thought for sure living in such close proximity with a woman for an extended period of time would drive me to jump off the roof of this building. That would be the stupidest thing, considering I have sweet heaven right between Michaela’s legs.
“Wanna hit the hot tub before I ravage your body?”
She shoots me a glance.
I should be able to read her expressions by now, but I’m stumped.
“You could ravage meinsidethe hot tub?”
My eyebrows shoot to my forehead.
Her suggestion throws me off.
“You were balking at the idea of sex in front of a window in Paris, but now you want me to fuck you outside in the hot tub?”
“What can I say?” She shrugs. “You’ve corrupted me.”
“I’m always down for kinky, kitten, but no way am I allowing anyone to cast their eyes on your heavenly body. Not to mention,we’re only two weeks into this marriage. In other words, we’re still fresh meat for the paparazzi. Let’s not take a chance.”
“Okay, we’ll keep it to the bedroom.” Her tone drips with effrontery.
Who is this woman?“Who said anything about the bedroom?”
