I folded the bedspread up on the bed and finished tucking it under the pillows. I was finally satisfied with how neat and orderly the room looked and felt. When Bishop came back, I’d have him lift the boxes onto the bed, so they were within easy reach. Since I wouldn’t be sleeping here, I planned to use the apartment as an office to get all of the bakery paperwork sorted out. I didn’t want to move it all to Bishop’s house only to move it back to the bakery. Besides, it would be nice to have time away from each other every day. He had work he needed to get done for school, too. Not being in his atmosphere all the time would guarantee me time away from this constant thrumming inside me to lay down in our marriage bed for real.
“Did we get everything?” he asked when he strode back through the door of the bedroom.
“I think so,” I said, looking around me. “Once we put the boxes up on the bed, I can use this room as an office. I have the desk set up so I can prop my leg up on the bed while I work.”
He hefted the boxes up on the bed and rested his hand on one of them. “I like this set-up. It gives you a good space to work while protecting your leg.”
I waved my hand at the bed, which was now filled with boxes. “I agree, but it just dawned on me that with the bed covered, I can’t sleep here if it’s storming. Maybe we should just put one up at a time.”
He dropped his hand from the box and walked over, taking my shoulders. “You won’t need to worry about it. I have a guy coming tomorrow to install a chair lift for the basement. You’ll be able to go up and down without worrying about falling. We’ll get a second pair of crutches to leave in the basement, too. That way, you don’t have to worry about taking them down with you.”
I tipped my head to the left in wonderment. “Bishop, you can’t put an expensive chair lift in your house just for me. That’s too much!” I hated how my heart pounded in a pitter-patter pattern at the thought of it.
He grasped my hand and held it to his chest. “Listen, my little tart. There is nothing too expensive if it means you’re safe. A friend of mine had one he was taking out of his parents’ basement, and he just wanted it gone. I bought it, and tomorrow it will be installed. You still won’t be able to go upstairs to the loft, but I decided as far as you were concerned, the basement was a better bet.”
I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him, my words a whisper against his ear. “Thank you so much, Bishop. I’m so relieved to know I’ll be safe at your house.”
He held me tightly and swayed with me, the warmth of him soaking into my chest like a soothing balm. “I’ll do anything and pay anything to keep you safe, sweetart. That’s why we’re doing this, so you can get back to living your life. I hope I’ll remain part of it, but if I don’t, at least I’ll know I had a little part in getting you back to the Amber you used to be.”
I didn’t know what to say to him. I didn’t know how to tell him all the things inside me, so instead, I pressed my lips to his and let the kiss tell him what I couldn’t find words to say. “You’re the best, Bishop Halla,” I said against his lips before I dove back in, my tongue caressing his. He had me pressed so tightly against him that I felt the second he went hard and rigid against my belly. Was I the reason he responded the way he did when we kissed? Logically I knew I was, but at the same time, it was hard to believe that a girl like me could turn someone like Bishop on that fast. He was the epitome of the perfect male specimen and by the feel of things, generously endowed in the steel rod department as well. I moaned, tipping my head to the left to give him better access to the roof of my mouth. I loved it when he stroked it with his velvety tongue. He made me want to come every time he did it. I rubbed my belly against him until a moan ripped from his throat that was absolutely panty mel—”
“Knock-knock,” came a voice. Bishop and I jumped apart. I would have fallen to the floor if Bishop hadn’t caught me.
I cleared my throat. “Hay-Hay, I wasn’t expecting you.”
She was snickering when she answered. “As I can see. I don’t mean to interrupt.”
Bishop held up his hand and smiled at my best friend. “Hey, Haylee. You aren’t interrupting. I was just heading back home.” He turned to me and winked. “See you later?” He mouthed lunch, and I nodded.
He strode past her, not bothering to hide the fact that I was the woman who turned him on. He was barely out the door before Haylee was squealing. “Amber!” I swear she was about to hyperventilate. “What the hell are you doing in your apartment, kissing Bishop Halla?”
I glanced around and shrugged. “Should I be standing on
