Vegas, Baby - Volume 2

“Belle!” Ariel snapped. “Don’t you dare!”

Belle laughed hysterically for a full minute before she calmed enough to say, “Hand her the phone.”

I shook my head, even though she couldn’t see me. “She’ll hang up.”

Ariel’s lips pressed together and turned down in an annoyed frown before she stuck her tongue out at me. She knew I had her pegged. “Is that an invitation?” I asked her softly.

“Okay, okay,” Belle piped up. “Put me on speaker before you two go at it.”

I laughed and used my thumb to hit the audio button. “You’re on,” I told her, my grin so big it was a wonder it didn’t break my face.

“Ariel—"

“Payback is a bitch, Belle,” Ariel growled as she started to struggle in my arms again.

“Worth it!” Belle said in a sing-song tone. “I double dog dare you to move in with Maddox tomorrow!”

“Seriously? Whatever happened to sisterly loyalty?” Ariel grunted, her wiggling finally ceasing. I loosened my hold but kept her in the circle of my arms.

“I will always dare you to do what’s best for you,” Belle chirped. “Have fun moving tomorrow.”

“Time’s up,” Griffith said before the phone went silent. I glanced at it, unsurprised to see that he’d hung up. Chuckling, I tossed my phone to the other cushion on the love seat and refocused on my woman. She was glaring at me, her blue eyes spitting fire but something was lurking behind the flames. It took me a little bit to figure out what it was. Relief.

When it hit me, I couldn’t help the huge grin that returned to my face. Ariel had been looking for an excuse to say yes. Something to override her logical arguments, so she could agree without having to actually give in. She wanted to move in with me.

“Fine,” she blustered. “You win.”

I hugged her and kissed her temple. “You bet your sexy little ass I win,” I gloated.

Her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned, but the corners of her mouth wavered as she fought a smile. “You know, I wasn’t just talking to Belle when I said payback’s a bitch.”

I smirked. “Admit it, baby. You want to move in with me.”

She lost the fight, and her face morphed into a beautiful smile. “Maybe.”

“I’ll take it,” I acquiesced before planting a long, deep kiss on her irresistible mouth.

When I finally let us up for air, we were both panting, and Ariel was clinging to me. Her blue pools were dazed and hungry. I groaned and sternly told myself to back the fuck off before I caused her more pain. I needed a distraction.

I put an arm along her back and scooped the other under her legs, then I unfolded my body from the couch. Once I was on my feet, I headed towards the master bathroom. Ariel gasped in awe when we stepped inside, and her reaction made me smile in gratification. It had heated Italian tile, was decorated in creams and golds, and sported the biggest whirlpool bathtub I could fit in the room. There was also a stone shower that was large enough for at least five people but would only ever hold two. I hadn’t known whether I would ever find the right woman, but when I built the house, I wanted to be damn sure it was ready if I did.

“Time for me to take care of my woman.” I set her on the counter between the twin sinks and kissed her nose before turning and taking a few steps to the shower. I twisted the faucet and held my hand under the water until I was satisfied with the temperature. Then I squatted by the marble bathtub and pulled open the drawers to a little cabinet set beside it until I found what I was looking for. I opened a new bar of soap and tossed the box into the trashcan under the counter and straightened back up.

“I thought you’d never brought another woman here?” Ariel’s tone was accusing and when I turned towards her again, I saw the hurt on her face. I glanced down at the soap in my hand and realized how she could get the wrong idea since it was manufactured by a company that specialized in women’s products.

“I haven’t, baby.” I shook my head as I returned to her and moved in between her legs. I set the clear bar on the sink and cupped her face in my hands. “I built this house for my family; I wouldn’t share it with anyone but the woman meant to live here with me. The woman destined to be my wife and the mother of my kids.” Ariel’s eyes widened to the size of saucers, and she blinked owlishly at me.

I smiled and kept talking, figuring we’d come back to that later. I gestured to the soap. “I’ve tested a lot of soap for tattoo aftercare, and I’ve found this to be the best for washing them.” Her pretty, pink lips formed a little O, and her expression turned sheepish.