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I take in my surroundings and try to get used to the fact that I’m now living on Columbus, in a penthouse and no longer in the home my father purchased for me. In a matter of days, my life has completely changed, and I’m truly welcoming everything. I know the girls love both their rooms. They couldn’t contain their excitement when they walked in their bedroom. Natalie did a terrific job with everything. It warms my heart that Nathan would think to do something like that. It’s proof that he not only wants me in his life, but my girls too.
He's made it so they feel welcome; so they feel loved.
The night was busy with them feasting on chicken nuggets, watching cartoons on the biggest television I’ve ever seen, and then taking a bath in a huge Jacuzzi tub. Addie didn’t get to enjoy the water like Amanda did, but in time she will.
Everything in here is high end. My home is wonderful, but my father knew me, and he knew that I wasn’t a flashy type of person. I didn’t need all the bells and whistles. I just wanted things to be warm and welcoming...but the whistles are nice too. Nathan ensured that all the girls had to do was clap twice, and the overhead chandeliers dimmed into night-lights for them. They thought that was a hoot. It only took them about fifteen minutes before their palms were red and sore, then when they decided they'd had enough, and it was time for bed. Nathan didn’t interfere too much with our routine. He stood back and watched as I did everything for them. He disappeared completely when it was bath time, which I thought was cute. When teeth were brushed, and their beds pulled down, he was there again, watching.
“So, are you ready for the tour yet?” Nathan asks after I close the door to the girls’ bedroom.
“Okay, but can I pick where we start?”
“Of course, where do you want to start?”
“The bedroom.” I give him a wink. He throws his head back and laughs.
“Alright, Mrs. Whitmore, excuse me, I mean Mrs. Richards-Whitmore, right this way.” He takes my hand and leads me past the girls' bedroom, past the playroom and then past two other doors before stopping at the end of the hall. “Now, I have to admit, it may be a little manly, but hey what can I say, I’m a man. We can add whatever colors you want to, or we can completely redo the room. Hell, we can redo the entire house if you want because, baby,” he pulls me to him. “Now that I’ve got you home. You aren’t going anywhere.”
He steps and opens the double doors. The lights come on automatically which I thought was really cool. The room is masculine, beautiful really, very sexy. Dark wooden floors, gray walls, and stark white moldings bring a crisp, clean feeling to the room. A black four-poster king-size bed sits on top of cream and black swirled rug. The bedding of cream with hints of black softens the hardness of the blackened wood. Each piece of the black furniture is unique in its own right. Each with its own shape and design, no two pieces are alike. Off to the side is a sitting room with more unique cream furniture. Some pieces look old while others have more of a modern feel to them. “Wow, Nathan, I’m impressed. This is hot.”
“Hot?”
“Yeah, hot, sexy. It’s totally you.”
“But is it you?”
“Whatever is you, is me too.”
I look over my shoulder, giving him a wink while I head over to what looks like the closet. Christ, it can be another damn room. The closet is huge. There is a plush rug spread wide in the middle of the space with an accessory dresser sitting on top. Nathan has several watches and cufflinks sitting in velvet trays. All of his clothes are hung behind glass doors. Each compartment lighted for better viewing. There is no way I would ever be able to fill even my half of the closet. I scan the rest of the closet, “Wait a minute.”
“What?”
“How are all my clothes hanging already? I packed them in the trunk this morning.”
“I had help when we were at the hospital. I didn’t want you to have to do anything when you got home.”
The thought of this being my home made my heart warm. The feelings had nothing to do with the extravagance of the house in which I was currently standing in; it had everything to do with the man standing before me. “Home, huh?” I walk to Nathan and slowly rub my hands over his sculpted abs up to his muscular pecs placing them around his neck. “Hmmm, I like the sound of that.”
“Do you, now?” He said this with a smirk.
“Yes, would you like me to show you how much I like the idea, Nathan?”
“Now?” I nod.
Taking his hand, I slowly walk over to the bed. I’m trying to be seductive, even in my capris and a baggy shirt. I sway my hips from side to side. Leaving him standing at the foot of the bed, I slowly undress myself. I toe off my flats and remove my jeans. “Laney?” He looks a bit freaked out.
“Yes.” I take my shirt over my head standing there in my teal bra and panty set. I may be a mother of two, but I love to wear my sexy things under clothes that might not always be so sexy.
“Um, the girls.”
“What about them?” I take off my bra and allow it to drop to the floor.
“They may still be awake.”
“And?” I slowly push down my panties, all the while Nathan is frozen in place.
“What if they aren’t asleep? What if they come in?”
“Then lock the door, Nathan. That’s what parents do. Now are you going to let me stand here naked or are you going to do something about it?”
