"You like the way I smell?" He puffs up a little, and I decide to tease him.
"No, not at all,” I tell him smugly. "There’s no way I’m stroking that ego of yours." Salvador throws back his head and laughs, and I get that excited flutter again. "I'm guessing I like poking you?"
"You do." Salvador pulls the blanket back so I can slip into bed.
"Are you not coming to bed with me?” I ask with a yawn.
"I have a few things to take care of first." My expression must show panic because he cups my cheek with his hand. "I'm not going anywhere, and if I do step out, it will only be for a short while. I won't leave the grounds of the estate."
"The estate?" I don't think I have a real picture of how big the house and the property are. He explained it some, but I must not have fully grasped it.
"Yes, the estate." He points over to a table that has fresh flowers on it. "There’s a camera right there so that I can watch you, but I'm going to bring my laptop in here to work. And like I said, if I do step out, it will be short. If you wake up during that time, I'll know and come back. It will only take me a few minutes to get to you."
His reassurance relaxes me enough that I don’t tease him about the camera.
"Thank you," I tell him before I turn my head and kiss his palm. "I don't know why I'm so needy. Is that normal?"
"At times,” he says with a soft smile. “But trust me, wife, I love nothing more than when you're needy for me. Never let that be a worry in your mind."
He kisses my forehead, and I lie down as he takes his time tucking me in. I love how much I'm being taken care of and how special he makes me feel. It’s like I’m this priceless object that he’s sworn to take care of.
Once I’m tucked in, I expect him to leave, but instead, he takes a seat on top of the blanket beside me. He leans back against the headboard, and I turn on my side to wrap my arm around him.
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and feel the weight of sleep pulling me under. My last thoughts are of how I must feel utterly safe with him. Because there’s no way I’d ever be able to sleep next to someone who was dangerous. Right?
Chapter 6
Salvador
I stay with Jema for a little longer after she falls asleep to make sure she stays that way. And also because I love the way it feels to have her cling to me. It’s almost painful to pull myself out of bed and leave her there alone, but I have to get this taken care of.
Taking one last look at her sleeping peacefully, I close the bedroom door and make my way out of the east wing. Never in my life have I experienced a high like giving her an orgasm, and I intend to do it again as soon as possible. Just as soon as all the loose ends are tied up.
When I get to the main hall, Edward is waiting to greet me. “Good morning, sir.”
“She’s awake. Get Watson out here so she can sign the papers.”
“Of course, I’ll speak to him personally. Anything else?”
Edward is so used to me barking orders that he doesn’t take offense at my lack of cheerfulness. Normally I wouldn’t be so abrupt, but we’re on a time crunch. Now that Jema is awake, I need her locked down. If she somehow gets her memory back, I need to make sure the airtight contract is in place.
“Where’s Marco?”
“I believe he went to the wine cellar around three a.m.,” Edward says.
He’s well aware of what I do, especially after working for my father before he died. Edward also let the entire staff go last week on my orders so that I could construct a new story about my life without anyone trying to tamper with it.
How would it have looked to everyone if I suddenly had a woman I claimed to be my wife locked away in my room? They might have never said anything to me about it, but they could have easily tried to free Jema or help her escape. No, I couldn’t take that chance.
When the new staff arrived, I made sure they knew my wife wasn’t well. That sometimes she’s unstable and has delusions. She can also have long spells in bed followed by wild stories of being kidnapped or not being my wife. It was the perfect cover and one that will ensure she’s not getting away.
There’s only one little hiccup that remains that could ruin everything.
“Let one of the kitchen maids know I’ll want fresh flowers and breakfast brought up in an hour.” That should give me enough time to finish this task.
“Certainly.”
“Thank you,” I say as an afterthought because I’m already focused on getting downstairs.
