Page 65 of Poison and Wine

“You could make it a little easier for me by spending the night on the couch,” she said

“Not on your fucking life,” I countered.

She rolled her eyes. “Why am I not surprised,” she muttered before going over to her luggage that had been brought up. After grabbing her suitcase, she hurried over to the bathroom and disappeared behind the door. At the sound of the shower turning on, I headed back to the kitchen.

Lorna handed me a heaping plate of my favorite Shepherd’s pie with a giant slice of soda bread. With my stomach rumbling, I practically inhaled the mouthwatering food. Lorna huffed at my clean plate. “Did you even chew?”

I laughed. “I’ve missed your food that much.”

She grinned. “I’ll make you another one.”

With another plate filled to the brim, I said, “I’m going to eat this in my room.”

“Aye, can’t leave your blushing bride for too long, can you?”

“I was going to see if she’d like to try some.”

“Sure you were,” Dare said around a mouthful of food.

I gave him the middle finger before starting down the hall. When I got there, Caterina was still in the bathroom. Despite what Dare said, I had planned on getting Caterina to try the pie.

When I tried the door, I found it locked. I pounded my knuckles into the wood. “What?” Caterina called.

“I had some food for you to try.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Of course she wasn’t. “Also, I just want you to know that no lock will keep me out.”

Her huff of frustration could be heard through the door. “You’re such a brute!”

I couldn’t help chuckling at her outrage. “One might argue that as my wife I have every right to see you naked. I should just break down this door.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“You’re right.” I went over to the nightstand and grabbed the key. After I returned to the door, I called, “I’ll use the key instead.”

“Callum!” she shrieked.

When I jerked open the door, Caterina stood in a pair of silky pajama shorts that hit mid-thigh. Her arm draped her pajama top across her breasts. As her chest rose and fell, a mixture of rage and mortification resided in her eyes. “How dare you!”

I put my hands on my hips. “How dare I enter one of the rooms in my own home?”

“That’s not what you were doing, and you know it. I should have a right to my privacy.”

“I needed to get ready for bed,” I replied as I began to unbutton my shirt.

“You could’ve gotten ready in the bedroom or waited until I was finished.”

After pulling off my shirt, I argued, “I’m exhausted and ready to sleep.”

“I would assume that this isn’t the only bathroom in the house. You could’ve gone to–” Caterina’s voice cut off when I unbuckled my belt. Her eyes popped wide when I stepped out of my pants and stood before her in my briefs. With a flush on her cheeks, she ducked her head.

I joined her at the sink. She remained frozen as I started brushing my teeth. I jerked my chin at her. “Aren’t you going to put your top on?”

“Not with you in here.”

With a smirk, I replied, “Would you like some help?”