The bench has a thick cushioned pad lining the top, several pillows, and a fluffy throw blanket.
Huh.
That might be called a bay window.
A large curtain lines the left side of the alcove, and it’s bunched up. I bet if I pulled the wand, the curtain would extend past the window, fully blocking out the natural lighting.
It’s a beautiful, cozy space.
Though it’s much too open for the first few days of my heat, it would be a perfect place to relax once the waves started to subside.
To the right, there is a set of stairs leading up to a den-style nest with three walls surrounding the oversized mattress. The fourth wall is another heavy set of curtains that can be pulled closed or left open for more space.
Magnum stands next to the bed, strapping himself into a holster that hangs under his arms. If he came onto the property with weapons, he probably shouldn’t have left them in the nest.
Then again, things might have gotten ugly if he and Hawk were both threatening to shoot one another.
I make my way up the stairs as Magnum pulls on his coat, zipping it up and hiding the evidence that he’s armed. The security guys who worked for my father were always carrying loaded weapons, so it’s nothing unusual compared to any other day in my life.
I’m still concerned about what will happen with no one around to referee him and Moretti.
Magnum swaggers toward me with a lazy grin. He has such an effortless style with the combat boots, dark-wash jeans, and black jacket. He doesn’t look concerned about the prospect of spending time with my husband.
Is he putting on an act to make me feel better?
“I made a deal to be extra sweet for the next couple days in exchange for Moretti guaranteeing your safety,” I say as Magnum slides his hand around, cupping my ass. “He sprang the date on me in the hallway before breakfast.”
“So the second he knows you have someone else vying for your attention, he suddenly wants his piece of the Vanessa’s-time pie?” Magnum laughs. “Color me shocked.”
“I have no idea what goes on in that man’s head.”
“Moretti is hard to get a read on, but Hawk isn’t,” he says, dipping his face close to mine. “He was certifiablypissedto find me in your bed this morning.”
“I like Hawk. He’s treated me better than any guard I’ve had,” I tell him. “He takes his job seriously. I think he was upset at Moretti for not warning him.”
“That or he wants to get in your panties. Not that I can blame him.” Magnum kisses me, dragging my lower lip through his teeth.
I melt into his front, wishing he could stay here in the nest with me all day.
Was the time he spent in here yesterday enough to saturate the mattress in his scent? If not, the pack bed definitely smells like a combination of the two of us.
The sensual kiss goes on until I’m clenching my thighs and barely holding myself back from begging him to fuck me.
My hormones are out of control, and his honey and lemon scent isn’t helping me stay clear.
He pulls back, and my eyes pop open as my chest heaves.
He smiles, palming my ass. “You’re so damn tempting. Don’t worry, princess. We’ll catch up after your date tonight. You promised me I’d get to snuggle with your sexy ass as I fall asleep, and that’s one marker I intend to collect on.”
Chapter Eighteen
Magnum
Being trapped in a car with Moretti isn’t the highlight of my day. He doesn’t bring a driver or guards, and it feels a lot like he doesn’t want an audience if he tries to take me out.
I guess we’ll see exactly how tightly Vanessa has him wrapped around her little finger.
If nothing else, I appreciate that the man isn’t trying to delegate my murder to one of his underlings. It would be a lot easier and less risky to order a minion to do it, but if he wants me dead, I respect that he’s willing to do it himself and get his hands dirty.
