Crazy Thing (The Brighton Family #5)

Chapter 41

41

DARIUS

“ Y our toilet has a butt warmer.” Ziggy fiddles with the dials atop my toilet tank and giggles. “Sounds like fun.”

Stepping up behind her, I yank her ass up against my groin and smack the curve of her hip. “I have some even more fun ways to warm up your butt. Come back to bed and I’ll show you.”

She spins around, draping her arms around my neck. Her skin is still wet and she smells sweet from the bubble bath we just shared.

Water drips from the ends of her hair, down the slopes of her breasts. I lean down to slurp at the droplet clinging to her pointed nipple. She shudders and I grin, drunk on my power over her body.

Ziggy grits her teeth, clearly trying to fight this renewed wave of arousal. “We’re going to need to get some sleep if you want to be sharp for all your big meetings tomorrow.”

I know she’s right. It’s already after midnight, but I don’t care. “I don’t want to go to sleep. I want to stay up with you. ”

She gives me a smile and confesses, “I want to stay up, too. I’m strangely energized being here with you.”

“House tour?” I suggest, hopeful that this is the excuse that will keep our night going a while longer.

“House tour,” she agrees with a slight nod of her head.

I drape her in a thick, white luxury robe, carefully tying the sash at the waist. Then I pull on my boxers.

Trudging out of the bathroom, we wander through the hallways. We take the winding staircase down and I point out my personal library, my game room, my gym and the home movie theater I never use. My house is all concrete floors, carved wood paneling and vaulted ceilings everywhere.

Watching Ziggy take it in is deeply satisfying. My chest puffs up with pride. I will always love impressing this woman. Drawing the tour out longer than necessary, I patiently show her how to adjust the lights and turn on the faucets and control the various thermostats in each room.

We get to the underground parking garage and Ziggy gasps from the center of the room, spinning around in a slow circle. “This place looks more like a museum than a garage with all these pretty cars on display.”

I push her against the side of a two-door British luxury saloon I haven’t driven in ages. I drag a hand up her thigh, under the hem of the robe she’s wearing. “I can’t wait to fuck you inside of every single one of these cars.”

She shivers, licking her lips. “Darius…”

Stroking my hand up her hip, I’m painfully reminded that she’s not wearing any underwear. Well, damn. My cock is already revving up for more action.

“But not tonight,” I say, mostly to myself. “Tonight, we need to get some sleep. ”

Ziggy hides her face against my chest and yawns. “Yeah. You’re right. I’m exhausted.”

I drape an arm around her back and we take the elevator up to my bedroom on the third floor. Coiling her arms around my waist, she leans her sleepy head on my shoulder, somehow making me feel big and important and needed.

“This house is bigger than a shopping mall. How do you not get lost in here every day of the week? Do you walk around with a printed map in your pocket? Or do you have to use your GPS to find the bathroom in the middle of the night?”

I laugh, shrugging a shoulder. “I’m used to it. Though, sometimes it gets pretty quiet around here. Lonely.” I look her in the eyes. There’s so much sincere compassion on her face it almost makes my chest burst. I cup her cheeks in my hands. “Still can’t believe you’re here.”

“Neither can I.” She exhales, glancing around at our surroundings. Doubt blooms in her expression.

Out of nowhere, I feel my insecurities creeping up on me. With a knuckle under her chin, I direct her attention back to me. “You want to be here, right?”

She nods but I detect some lingering bits of uncertainty in her gaze. “I want to be here, Darius. I want to be here with you. I promise.” A little smile creeps across her lips and she forces a joke. “This is like making up for all those sleepovers I was never invited to back in middle school. Only, it’s better. Sexier. ”

I drop onto the bed and she crumbles down beside me, falling into my waiting arms. I kiss the tip of her nose and whisper. “Best sleepover ever.”

She laughs but it sounds forced. Like she’s doing her best to assure her doubts that it’s okay to be here .

Too bad. Her demons can go fuck themselves. She’s mine. I’m not letting her go.

I love her. I need her. I’d do anything to keep her here.

Because her touch is cathartic. Her kiss is healing. Each time her body climaxes with mine, I emerge a brand new man.

But I can’t shake the feeling that Ziggy’s still not all-in. Or maybe the problem is me. Maybe I’m moving too fast. Maybe I’m expecting too much.

All I know is, I’m terrified to risk this connection. I’ve got to do something—something grand —to prove myself to her once and for all.