"Okay."
We settled into our seats and removed our coats while a server came and poured a sample of the wine into Burke's glass. He accepted the bottle and offered some to me.
I took a sip and wrinkled my nose. "Surprisingly, it's not bad." Maybe that was because the bottle surely cost more than my parents’ mortgage.
He chuckled at my reaction. "You might need to get used to it."
"I'll have a glass of water, also," I told the server, and let Burke pour more wine into my glass. Might as well enjoy myself thoroughly.
"What did you do today?" he asked. We'd spent most of the day apart since Burke had needed to attend to business.
I toyed with the stem of my wine glass. "Maddie and I discussed how we'd like to redecorate your bedroom."
The waiter returned with a basket of rolls, and Burke picked one up to hand to me. "Why would you redecorate my bedroom?"
I looked down, but I was smiling.
"Kinsley?"
Aiming my smile at him, I said, "Because it's my room, too, and maybe I don't want the heavy wood antiques left by your great grandfather."
He grabbed my hand. "Are you serious?"
"Yes." I squeezed his fingers. "Tonight, Maddie is moving my things into your room."
"What about your room?"
"What doesn't go into the bedroom will go into the sitting room, and I'll continue to work on making that my office. My old room will be another guest room. Maddie has requested to use it whenever she visits because she likes what I did with it."
"I can't tell you . . ." He trailed off, looking away. When he met my gaze again, his eyes were large in his face. "I can't tell you how happy that makes me."
"It's still foreign to me that I can make you happy by sleeping in your bed, but I'm not about to question it anymore."
“As I’ve told you before, Kinsley, you’re mine now. That knowledge is what makes me happy.”
Through dinner, we laughed and talked. We kept it light and entertaining, not wanting to bring up anything heavy to ruin our time together. I drank a glass and a half of wine, and though it made my cheeks red, I didn't feel drunk.
Until we climbed back into the limo and everything Burke did went straight to my head. He caressed my cheek before kissing me, running his fingers lightly over my thighs, and it set my body on fire. The way he made me feel about myself came rushing back.
Cherished. Special. Wanted.
"I need you, Kinsley." It was spoken into my hair as he stroked his pants over his erection, and I tried to swallow around a dry throat. My core was already on fire, and had been since I first set eyes on him tonight.
"I know." It came out as a meager whisper, but he heard me.
"Only a few more minutes, and we'll be home. Will you let me have you?"
The mere fact that he asked instead of assuming had my veins pulsing, and I framed his face between my hands. "Maddie agreed to spend the night with Finn, Burke. You have me uninterrupted."
His guttural moan was loud in the back of the quiet car, and I felt my skin prickle. "You have no idea how much I've been dying to fuck you again."
He grabbed my chin and tilted my head to meet his mouth, leaving no doubt how he felt. Exploring the inside of my mouth with his tongue, he gripped my face close to his and breathed me in. I felt myself floating on air, hoping my balloon never popped. Knowing he wanted me, needed me, was everything. He gave me what I wanted most; to feel desired.
When the vehicle came to a stop, Burke had a hard time letting go of me, but he managed. Oliver opened the car door, and we emerged into the garage.
I looked up into Burke's ravenous eyes. "I want to check with Maddie quickly, but I won't be long."
"That's a good idea."
