Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
“I’m doing Mister Jamie’s laundry, but when it’s done, he’ll need space.”
I fought grinning like an idiot.
But I had a feeling, when I saw the light hit her eyes, I didn’t quite hide that urge.
Alyona left, and I dressed, then reached for my Saint Laurent, black patent, slimline, small sac shoulder bag.
I switched out what was needed, found Alyona to confirm dinner plans and times, and then I headed out to peruse proper baby stores, upon which I arranged the shipment of a few things for JT.
Jamie sat back in his chair and roared with laughter.
Regardless of how handsome he looked doing it, and how attractive it sounded, I frowned at him.
He continued to laugh.
I forked off a small wedge of puff pastry, salmon and cream sauce and put it in my mouth.
Jamie eventually got control of himself and returned to his own food.
But he did it muttering, “I cannot believe you sent seven thousand dollars-worth of baby things to Judge and Chloe.”
“Darling, I hate to inform you of this, but…we’re rich,” I returned. “Being so means we can do things like that.”
Humor was still infusing his striking face as he speared one of Alyona’s delectable, buttery, herbed new potatoes, and he said, “Yes, sweetheart, but that doesn’t mean we should.”
“Your son is very concerned about waste, or the environment, or,”—I flicked my fork out nonchalantly—“whatever young people worry about nowadays. They’ll use it all, then they’ll find someone else who can do so. I mean, we are going to the grand opening of a store this weekend where everything in it will have been previously owned.” I gave a subtle shiver. “That whole generation does that kind of thing. Someone has to keep the economy flourishing.”
“Fuck, you’re something,” Jamie said warmly, his amusement still on the surface, as well as in his words.
I loved his words, affect, and tone.
I carried on eating, that contented feeling in my belly purring, and did it sharing, “Alyona made space for you in my closet.”
“Do I need to order a medal to be engraved, give her a bonus, or both?” Jamie teased.
I rolled my eyes.
Jamie ate more potatoes, his own eyes twinkling.
“I have reservations for us at Le Bernardin for tomorrow,” he announced after he swallowed.
Shocking.
And beautiful, considering he’d selected the best restaurant in the city for our first outing being official.
I addressed the shocking part.
“How did you manage reservations on such short notice?” I asked.
“It wasn’t short notice. I had Monica phone them last week.”
My Jamie, planning ahead.
And if I wasn’t careful, that smug smile would be permanently affixed to my face.
Monica, by the by, was his assistant.
“That still had to be a squeeze,” I noted.
“Monica has connections,” he replied.
She did. She was quite the whiz. I was glad he had her. And this wasn’t the first time I had that thought.
“I’ve considered, maybe I could ask all the girls, and by ‘all,’ I mean both of mine and the one of yours, to lunch here on Sunday,” I told him.
“Am I invited?” he asked.
“Of course. I’ll ask Nico too. He might be able to come down for the day.”
“Works for me,” he murmured.
We continued eating comfortably and silently until Jamie remarked, “I noticed you don’t wash your hair every day.”
I looked to him. “I don’t. Every third day. Why?”
“When is the next wash day?”
“Tomorrow morning. And again, why?”
He sliced into his salmon, declaring, “Because you have a fantastic shower, so I’m fucking you in it tonight.”
Oh my.
I bit my lip and crossed my legs under the table.
“Exactly,” he rumbled, his eyes locked to me. “Stop looking at me like that,” he ordered. “I love Alyona’s salmon, but I don’t think it’ll taste the same cold.”
I returned my attention to my plate and took a steadying breath.
We ate in uncomfortable silence then, and for my part, I tried not to wolf down my food.
“Nora?”
I lifted my gaze to him.
He reached his hand along the table my way, so I took it.
“Thank you for waiting for me,” he finished.
I squeezed his hand, but said, “I love you gave me that, Jamie. But that’s the last we’ll speak of it. I didn’t suffer.”
“Nora,” he warned.
“Unduly,” I allowed. “But why go back when we’re here?”
He nodded his head, only once. “I agree, but that doesn’t negate the fact you need to know I understand where I was then, and more importantly, where I am now.”
“I understand,” I confirmed.
“I’m glad, but the reason it’s important to me you do is so you won’t think I’ll slide back.”
Oh, my lovely Jamie.
“I don’t think that, Jamie,” I said quietly.
“Then we’re set.”
“We very much are.”
He squeezed my hand, rubbed his thumb along the inside of my wrist, and let me go.
We finished dinner and then enjoyed Alyona’s raspberry mousse with chocolate shavings.
After that, Jamie fucked me very thoroughly in my shower.