“Ah!” I playfully swat her hand away. “Sit down. I’m serving you.”
She swats me right back. “The baby is hungry, and he wants bacon.”
Chapter 51
Aurora
“You did this all for me?” I run my hand across the luxurious fabrics—silks, cottons, embroidery, cashmere, wool, and my favorite: pink tulle. “Where did you even find these?”
The studio is bathed in natural light from the panoramic windows. A large workstation sits in the center, left over from the original factory and stretching nearly the length of the room. Mannequins of various sizes—including one with a baby bump—take up a corner. Vintage gold floor mirrors are arranged along one wall, an adjustable drafting table and a professional sewing machine on the opposite side. It’s everything I ever wanted and more. I can picture myself in here making all sorts of dresses. What I’ll do with them, I have no idea.
Ethan’s proud smile grows wider, revealing those irresistible dimples. “Rocco’s tailor hooked us up with a fabric supplier.”
“This is incredible. Thank you.” I glance around once more, taking it all in. “I don’t even know?—”
Before I can finish, he steps closer. His large hands grip my hips and, in one fluid motion, he lifts me and sets me on the edge of the workstation.
He settles between my legs, his palms braced on either side of me, caging me in. “I’d do anything for you.” His eyes lock with mine. “Anything.”
The heat of his body radiates against my thighs, and the intensity of the moment hangs heavy in the air.
He clears his throat. “The last time we were in New York, I got ahead of myself and made you promises I wasn’t ready to keep.” A flush creeps up his neck onto his cheeks. “This is me proving I’ve changed, proving I’m prepared to handle whatever comes at us.”
My eyes well up—damn pregnancy hormones—and I cup his face in my hands. “I never doubted you.”
“Shh. I’m not finished.” He places a soft kiss on my lips. “You have your studio, your bodyguard, and all my love and attention. I’ll move Gram here, keep Jax healthy and happy, and ensure our family is safe. That’s my vow to you.”
“It’s more than I ever dreamed of.” I trace the trimmed beard along his jawline and return his kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you.” His hand moves to my belly, caressing our baby. “Thank you for putting up with my moods and temper.”
I offer him a gentle smile. “I’ve seen worse.”
His brows pinch slightly. “I know you have, but I don’t want that to be us.”
I glide my fingers up the back of his neck into his thick hair. “Whatdoyou want, Blackwood?”
This is Ethan. Everything is a power dynamic. If he’s making promises, he expects something in exchange, and I know precisely what it is. He wants me locked in this loft.
“Your submission.” He leans in closer, his breath hot against my neck. “Complete and total. In and out of the bedroom.”
Despite knowing where this was leading, my pulse still races, and my words come out breathless. “You already have that.”
“Do I?” he asks between kisses along my throat. “Did I give you permission to contact Bennett? Did you even run it by me? What about when Lucas went missing? How long did you wait before calling me? What about your plans with Emily?”
“You haven’t let that go?” I shift on the workstation, my body responding to his proximity and touch. “You were busy with Jax, which I’m grateful for. Did you do all this for my submission?”
“No.” His thumb brushes across my bottom lip. “I did this to keep you safe. Jackson too. I have you both right where I want you.”
I don’t disagree, but I at least have to give him some sass. “Will Jax be locked in this loft?”
“Jax is locked into a contract with my team, which I own. Everywhere he goes will be under my control. Do you dislike this loft?”
“No.” I shake my head, my brows furrowed. “I love it.”
“Okay then. If there’s anything you need, all you have to do is ask.”
He pushes his thumb into my mouth, and my lips automatically close around it.
