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.
“You’re hot as fuck when you’re jealous, baby.” Her cheeks bloomed with a sweet blush. I grasped the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, then closed my eyes and tried to maintain my control.
I’d managed to keep from thinking about just how fucking sexy Ariel was for the last couple of hours. Now that it was right there, in front of my face, it was impossible to ignore. And, a flood of memories from the afternoon had me vibrating with hunger. My tongue tingled at the memory of her sweet, sugary taste. My cock was dripping with arousal and making a mess of my pants.
“Maddox?” Ariel asked curiously.
I dragged my eyes open, and she gasped when she saw the raw need churning in them. “I’m trying not to give in, baby. But damn you make it difficult.”
“Um…sorry?” Her curved mouth made it clear that she wasn’t sorry in the least.
“You will be if I let myself go, baby,” I warned her with a growl. She opened her mouth, no doubt to say something sassy, but I silenced her with my hand. “Don’t.”
I waited until she nodded, then removed my hand and set about helping her to undress before removing my own clothes. Then I scooped her back into my arms and carried her into the shower. I gently scrubbed her body from head to toe, making sure to be extra tender when I cleaned her tattoo and her pussy.
After swiftly washing myself, I shut off the water and reached around the shower wall to grab two fluffy towels from the warming bar.
I patted us both dry, then tossed the towels into a heap on the floor to clean up later. Carefully, I applied ointment to her tattoo before kissing her shoulder and rotating her body so that she was facing me. It was a little early for bed, but I could see exhaustion written all over Ariel’s face. It mirrored my own.
Lifting her into my arms, I held her close as I made my way to our bed. With one hand, I pulled back the covers, then set her gently in the
