“Please, those bitches won’t know what hit them. I’m not worried in the least. They better watch their backsandtheir jobs. As my assistant, Lindy has been lulled into a false sense of security about her worth to me and the company. She’s been getting a little too big for her boots.” She releases the hold on my hand and smiles at me, giving off a slightly serial killer kind of vibe. “I do love a challenge.” She stands up, giving Holden and I both kisses on the cheeks. “Right, I’m going to order some Chinese to be delivered and curl up in our wing to read a book. Do you want me to get you guys anything?”
My stomach rumbles once more, and both Jacinta and Holden’s eyebrows jump at the sound.
“I would go with yes.” Holden chuckles as he gets to his feet. The sweatpants he’s wearing sit low on his hips, and now that they’re within my direct line of sight, I can tell he’s not actually wearing any underwear beneath. I’m distracted, my eyes lingering before I can shake my head and look up. Both Holden and Jacinta are watching me with enough amusement that I flip them off. “Food would be good, please.”
With a clap of her hands, she decides, “I’ll order a heap, and we can eat family style in our wing.” She moves away, pulling her phone out of her pocket. “I’ll message the others and see if they want any too.” She disappears, and when I stand up, Holden refuses to move an inch so that I find my body pressed up against him.
His good hand comes to my hips, and he’s watching me when I look up. “Like what you see?” Without waiting for me to answer, he kisses me. It doesn't last long, but when he pulls away, he leaves me breathless. “I missed you, Mistress.” A smile crosses my lips at his words, but his hand tightens on my hip. “Fuck, you’ve got to stop worrying us.” The smile slips, and I frown at his comment.
“Damn it, Den, it’s not like I’m going out of my way to get hurt.” I shift to pull away, but he only grips tighter.
“Don't go, babe. I know. It’s just killing us not being able to fix it for you.” He rests his forehead against mine, and I wrap my arms around his neck, careful not to jostle his arm between us. This is nice, this feeling of being wanted and missed.
He pulls away. “Come on, let’s get a good spot on the couch while we wait for everyone to join us for food. Maybe we can watch a little tv or a movie and just chill,” he suggests as he moves away.
“That sounds amazing, actually,” I tell him as he takes my hand. Together, we walk toward our wing of the house.
* * *
We’re eventually joined by the rest of the siblings once the food arrives. The meal is delicious, and the company is really good as we chat, talking about nothing and everything, all while avoiding the subjects of the stalker, Cecelia, and Jacinta starting back at work. I learn more about everyone's interests and hobbies, and they actually ask me about mine and what it was like growing up with Chuck, Melinda, and Max. Jacinta gets a little self-righteous when I talk about Max and her tendency to ignore me when her high-society friends are around, promising me that will never happen with her. Oh, the turnaround in attitude, but I won’t point it out.
Eventually, I just can't stay awake, so I wish everyone a good night and make my way back upstairs. Holden comes with me, just as ready for bed as I am, and as he stops at his door, he leans in to give me a kiss, but I grab hold of his hand. “Do you want to sleep with me tonight? Or is it still too much for your arm?”
A blinding smile brightens his face, and he shakes his head. “No, my arm is okay, and I’d love to, thanks. I’ll just brush my teeth, then I’ll be there.”
He steps into his bedroom as I continue on to mine. With Kai still downstairs, chatting and hanging out with the others, it’s quiet up here.
As I step into my room, I let out the deep breath that I’ve been needing to release. I had fully expected to find it trashed like the other one had been, but it looks like it hasn't been touched since I left. Looking down at my outfit, I decide to just leave Jaxon’s shirt on, simply replacing the sweatpants with a pair of panties. I’ve never been able to sleep with any kind of pants on; I always end up uncomfortable.
Once done, I brush my teeth and climb into my bed, shivering when the cold sheets touch my skin. Just as I snuggle down, my door opens and Holden enters the room. He’s wearing only a tight pair of boxer briefs, his arm still in a sling, so the rest of his delicious body is on display, his nipple rings calling for my mouth.
He hurries across the room and slides into the bed on the opposite side. “Shit, it’s cold. Come here.” He uses his good arm to drag me toward him then settles down with me tucked against his side.
“How did you get your shirt off without any help?” I ask him as he nuzzles into my neck, causing goosebumps to appear on my skin.
“I think I can manage to remove my clothes all on my own, Harlow,” he grumbles, sounding a little bit put out, but he doesn't stop snuggling. Well, isn’t he being a little adorable and bratty at the same time? Hmm, I think maybe it’s time for a little play.
“Oh really? Did I give you permission to remove your clothes?” He freezes, and I pull away to look at him. I can see a hundred things running through his mind as his eyes heat before he lowers his gaze.
“No, Mistress, you didn’t.” His body is practically vibrating in anticipation, and this time the tension in the air is promising all good things.
“Well, I guess you need to be punished then.” I hide my smile even though he’s not looking up at me.
“I am yours to do with as you wish,” he replies, his voice dropping all seductively. How do men do that? I wind up sounding like James Earl Jones when I try to do that.
But all I do is snuggle up to his chest and place a kiss over his heart. “Good night, Den. Sleep well.” I throw my leg over him, definitely not missing out on the brush of his hard cock through the thin fabric of his briefs.
The rest of him stiffens underneath me in disbelief. “But, Mistress, don't you wish to punish me?” he pushes.
“Oh, I believe I am.” I rub my body against him in a pretend attempt to get myself comfortable before settling down and closing my eyes. He starts muttering about cock-teasing Mistresses before he pulls me closer and kisses me on the head, and I just might not resist the urge to smile. He’s still muttering about getting me back soon, but it’s easy enough to tune it out. The sound of Holden’s heartbeat under my ear is a reassuring balm to my soul, and before I know it, I drift off to sleep.
Chapter Six
Harlow
Ispend the next week relaxing at home. Everyone has been going into work every day, leaving Holden, Thomas, and me on our own. My bodyguard has held true to his word; Dad made the arrangements for him to take a leave, so he fully intends to stick around in case I go anywhere—or at least that’s what I was assured when I tried to convince him to go to work.
After a couple of days of doing nothing, I’m starting to go out of my mind. Alex and Shane are both on jobs, so I can’t call them. Holden and Thomas spend a lot of time in Dad’s office, working, and Max’s filming schedule is so brutal I give up after a few short phone calls. I’ll catch up with her once filming slows down a little bit. I ordered a whole heap of new clothes and had them sent to the house, but unwrapping and putting them all away only took a little while. Finally, I have no choice but to ask Thomas to come with me so I can have a look at Prada and Coco. Anything to get out of the house. Even a walk around the gardens would be nice at this stage of the game.
