He’s the most handsome and stunning… I dip my chin, realizing that I might be waxing a bit poetic.
And that my feelings have painted him in an increasingly bright palette. I shy away from what my feelings are exactly. Naming them scares me.
But if I were being honest with myself, I might call this?—
“Coffee?” His smile broadens as he hands me the mug.
I take a mug and, cupping it with both hands, take a sip, my eyes closing. “Delicious.”
“Mm,” he answers, taking a sip from his own mug. “After we’re caffeinated, I’ll make you some breakfast.”
I take another sip to hide my wince. Cooking is probably a wifely duty, but I have no clue how. We had staff, and I wasn’t allowed anywhere near the kitchen. Probably because of the knives.
But that doesn’t change that I’m a wife now. Coupled with the fact he already agreed to clean up after me, I have this feeling like maybe I’m not bringing much to the marriage.
“You could teach me,” I say as I lower my mug. “I don’t know much about cooking, but I could learn.”
He chuckles before he takes another sip. “Maybe someday. This morning, we have an appointment with your brother.”
“My brother? Why?”
“Well, if you remember, he wants check-ins. But today, he more particularly wishes to discuss Sver. His knowledge of the man is far more limited than yours.”
That’s right. Dimitri is sixteen years older than me and Sver wasn’t in my father’s employ for most of his childhood. “Is Dimitri worried?”
I’m sure he is. But probably not about me. Still, I’ll tell him whatever he needs to know. Because it’s not just about Dimitri.Ava and Anna need protection, and if I can help with that, I’ll do whatever I can.
“We just want to make sure everyone is protected,” Ryker answers, running a hand down my back. “Want to take your shower while I make breakfast?”
“Sure,” I answer, with a nod, setting down my mug. “But I think I’ll need the fortification of another espresso when I’m done.”
He laughs and then winks. “Are you a little caffeine fiend?”
“Maybe,” I say with a small giggle, before I start for the bathroom.
Stepping into the shower, I take my time this morning, applying makeup when I’m done and blowing out my hair.
Then I put on another of the cute dresses that Ryker bought yesterday. This one is closer to knee length, but I feel pretty in it, and I give a little twist in the mirror as I watch the skirt dance.
“Breakfast,” Ryker calls and I leave the closet to head back out to the kitchen.
My feet are still bare, my legs exposed, as I slip into the large room, breathing in the smell of bacon and eggs. “Wow.”
He looks over at me, his gaze growing dark as he looks me up and down. “Wow, yourself.”
I feel the heat climbing up my cheeks as I smooth the soft fabric over my hips. “I don’t know about that.”
He crosses the kitchen, pulling me close. “By the time we’re done, you’re going to understand how powerful you are.”
The words are like a splash of cold water. He’s here for me now, but we’ve already agreed, this thing has an expiration. And I need to remember that.
We eat in relative silence. I have no right to be upset by what he said, but I can’t shake the bit of melancholy.
This is what I want. Freedom. Independence. But looking at his profile, I realize that maybe I don’t.
Maybe what I wanted all along was to hold a place of value with a man who thinks I’m more than just a commodity.
Shaking my head. I finish eating and then set myself to clearing the plates and washing the pans. Even I know how to do that.
