Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
He left, and I shook my head.
When I thought Tally would be trouble, this wasn’t what I was thinking. I’d had no idea.
But I would make her safe, no matter what.
CHAPTER NINE
Julian
“Chop those onions.” Tally pointed to the cutting board. “Finely.”
“You always give me the worst jobs,” I grumbled, picking up an onion to peel it.
“I took over handling the tenants and all the damn paperwork that entails at the office,” she shot back. “That’s the worst job there is.”
I didn’t hide my grin. It was. And she was already doing better than I ever could. Her meticulous, orderly mind-set was a benefit. It filled in her hours and took a lot off my plate. And the tenants loved her. Leo enjoyed working with her.
“I want the carrots sliced, not diced, when you’re finished with those.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice. “This week, preferably.”
“Bossy much?”
“You boss me around all day,” she sniffed. “It’s my turn.”
I leaned over and nipped her neck playfully. “You love it when I boss you around.” I indicated the pile of vegetables waiting for me. “There’re a lot, so shut it.”
“There’re a few onions and carrots. Suck it up, buttercup.”
I sighed heavily and purposely slowed down.
She waited only a few more moments before nudging me out of the way and doing the task herself. “Slowpoke,” she muttered. “I’d like to eat tonight.”
I stood behind her, linking my arms around her waist. She was faster—far more efficient than I was—with her knife skills. Luckily, not in the same way Marcus’s wife, Missy, was. I’d have to duck a lot if Tally could toss a knife with the deadly accuracy Missy could.
“I like watching you in the kitchen,” I murmured into her ear, ghosting my lips down her neck. “You’re so sexy in an apron, making dinner.”
She shivered, and I smiled against her skin. I loved these evenings with her. In the apartment, where we were simply Julian and Tally.
I adored having her here. I had never understood Matteo’s or Marcus’s need to spend so much time with the women they fell for. But that was before Tally. Even with her in the office during the day, I found myself longing for the hours spent away from business, just to be able to be with her. To listen to her talk, to hear her low laughter. To be the one who made her laugh and smile.
Her beautiful smiles that came easier these days. Smiles often directed at me. Smiles that could change my mood in the blink of an eye, brighten my world, and make my chest ache with a sensation that was unfamiliar, yet somehow so reassuring.
Our lives meshed so easily. She liked to cook—I liked to watch and help her. We enjoyed listening to music, the melodies filling the apartment all the time now. We watched movies, played card games she always cheated at. I was delighted to find out she enjoyed cribbage as much as I did. She was a good player and a sore loser, our tournaments lasting days with meticulous score-keeping. I enjoyed challenging her. She had her own way of challenging me.
Her bruises had healed over the past few weeks. Her shoulder no longer caused her pain. I wasn’t as confident her emotional injuries had healed as well. She was still nervous at times, anxious about leaving the office alone, although she tried to hide it. When I was close, she relaxed. Oddly enough, she did the same thing for me. Nothing seemed as important when I walked in the door and saw her waiting. The worries and stress took a back seat to her warmth and presence. It was addictive.
“You’re working tomorrow night?” she asked, turning in my arms.
I looked down at her, noticing the furrow between her eyes. “Yes.”
“One of your ‘off the books’ jobs?”
At my nod, her frown deepened.
“What?”
“Somehow, these ‘jobs’ make me nervous. I don’t know where you are, what you’re doing, or who you’re with. I can’t relax until you walk in the door.”
“Hey,” I soothed, cupping her cheek. “It’s just a privacy thing,” I lied. “Standard, run-of-the-mill job, but for VIPs. It’s part of the contracts, that’s all. They like having me around.”
The worry still showed on her face and in her eyes. The blue always dimmed when she worried. I had to admit it was odd having someone worry over me, but I rather liked it.
I kissed the end of her nose. “But I can’t be effective if I’m starved the day before.” I spun her in my arms. “Now start cooking, woman.”
She muttered something, and I pressed my mouth to her ear. “After dinner, I’m going to show you who is really boss around here, Tally. Consider it dessert.”
She whimpered.
I walked away chuckling, choosing a bottle of wine to have with dinner. I glanced over and met her gaze. Her frank, now bright, clear gaze. I winked.