Crude Heir (Billionaire Heirs #3)

Chapter 26

Derrick

I step out of the shower, a towel wrapped loosely around my waist. The steam from the hot water fogs up the mirror, blurring my reflection as I put paste onto my toothbrush.

Damn, Addler has a great setup in that shower. It turns my thoughts from today’s excursion to looking for a place for myself, well, for us. The updated bathroom is going to the top of the list. Hell, I may have to have something built instead. It’s not something I considered since I was traveling a lot.

Curious as to her opinion on the multiple showerheads, I push the door open and step into the bedroom. My gaze immediately falls on Nicole. She’s just inside the closet, in front of a full-length mirror, her white shirt pulled up to her waist, revealing some black leggings that mold to her figure.

“Oh, hell no,” I roar from around the toothpaste filling my mouth.

Startled, she turns in my direction, dropping the blouse. “What?” She’s wearing leggings, the fabric clinging to her curves in a way that brings my cock to attention in less than two seconds.

“You’re not seriously thinking you’re going anywhere in those things?” While the leggings, blouse, and flowing curls make her look incredibly hot, they’re far too revealing for a day surrounded by the swarms of oilfield workers that will be at the office.

She smooths down the blouse. “Now, Derrick—”

“No-no-no.” I run straight through, not bothering to choose my words carefully. “We’re going to be around a bunch of field guys today.”

Nicole’s expression shifts to mild annoyance. “They’re just leggings, Derrick. What’s the big deal?”

“They don’t need to be drooling over your ass,” I explain, trying to keep my tone even.

She purses her lips, glancing away. My conscience bothers me at the thought that what I said could have hurt her in some way. I approach her, not knowing how to explain that I want to start beating my chest and dragging her away whenever I think of another man looking at her.

Nicole looks away, a hint of annoyance and understanding in her eyes. “Fine. I’ll change into a dress.” She starts working on the top button of the blouse.

“I’d prefer it,” I answer shortly, watching her open each button, to reveal the skin beneath.

“Just remember this moment if the wind picks up.” She pulls the blouse down one arm. “Because I might end up flashing my underwear at one of those guys you’re worried about.” She pivots, bending a knee to thrust out the cheek I was working on yesterday. “Then they’ll see more than this.” She sets a finger on her chin. “Maybe I should change into cuter panties.”

Point taken. Her words hit me like a freight train. I exhale sharply, deciding to go with the truth I’m struggling with. “Look, I’m…having these…” spit it out, damn it. “I’m jealous as hell, and I have no idea how to deal with this.”

She lowers her heel, closing the blouse as her expression softens. “What have you done in the past?”

I shake my head. “Never had this happen before,” I admit. “Before this weekend, I would have told you I’m not the jealous type.”

She gives a gentle smile, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

Yes, she’s different. I’ve never had much interest in keeping a woman around in the past. Once the news broke about my father, I retreated from the swarm of women who were going out of their way to get in touch with me. The only one who caught my attention was Nicole, and I thought it was due to another reason altogether.

I approach her, my tone softening. “In case you haven’t noticed, you are special to me.”

“You’re special to me, too,” she whispers.

Even though I have her admission, I’m quickly finding it’s not enough. That’s something I’m going to have to deal with sooner than later, especially with all these men around.

“Now go get dressed so we can go downstairs. Elena says Addler’s already working on breakfast.”

I pull on my clothes, still giving her the side-eye as she slips into the flats she was wearing yesterday. Thankfully, the ankle looks better this morning. Still, we take the stairs slowly.

“Can I help with anything?” Nicole offers, once we get to the kitchen.

“We’ve got everything.” Elena gives Nicole an approving nod as she hobbles over to the table. “Perfect fit.”

Her assessment only stokes the jealousy that’s been simmering under the surface.

Addler turns, doling scrambled eggs onto plates. “What’s up with you?” he asks, a frown on his face.

I glare in his direction.

Elena glances at me then goes back to her task of folding napkins. “I loaned Nicole some leggings,” she says, her voice neutral but her gaze meeting mine, conveying an unspoken apology.

Addler’s gaze shifts to Nicole. Even though he’s only taken a second, it’s enough to stir an unfamiliar shot of possessiveness inside me. I don’t like that a man, even Addler, is checking out my woman. He turns back to me, his eyebrows lifted in silent understanding.

“The shirt is long enough to cover everything,” Nicole quickly adds, catching on to my irritation.

“Yeah,” Addler agrees, focusing on plating the heaping portions of egg. “She looks fine, bro.” But that hitch in his voice makes me wonder if he’s trying to convince me or himself.

“She looks fucking fantastic,” I correct. “But it should be for me ,” I say, sounding defensive.

Nicole’s eyes widen, a mix of shock and maybe pleasure in them. I walk over, knowing I’ve probably fucked up, but, as self-centered as it sounds, it’s completely true. I wait to see what she’s going to say, ready to carry her ass upstairs regardless of where we have to be.

“Fantastic?” she says, in a shy whisper.

I wrap my hands around her hips, possessively. “ Fucking fantastic,” I reaffirm, giving her perfect ass a reaffirming squeeze.

She smiles, leaning up to drop a kiss on my lips. She must have assumed a quick kiss would be enough. She assumed wrong.

I lean in, ravaging her mouth as I pull her hips to mine, letting her know exactly how she affects me.

“Do you have more of those leggings?” Addler asks in a stage whisper.