Page 57 of Idaho

"And you're going to help me make dinner," Sylvia told him. Dex groaned, but he had a wide smile on his face. "Thanks for spending the day with us," Sylvia said to Eva.

"It was my pleasure." Eva picked up Tori's son, Adam, and nuzzled him until he was giggling and squirming to get down. She waved to the other kids, who were busy playing, or watching TV, as we went to leave.

I held the door open as Auron jumped down off the couch and padded his way out into the hall, following Eva. "You coming or staying?" I asked the second dog.

Jecht yawned but didn't bother to do more than lift his head. "He can stay with me," Sylvia told me. "I'll be glad for the company once these guys all go to bed."

"You need any more help with them?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I can handle them. I'll call you if anything changes."

"Thanks, Syl."

We walked down the hall to our own apartment. "That was fun," Eva said with a grin. "Everyone here is so nice."

"They are. I bet Sylvia was glad to have you there, too." I held the door open for her and Auron. "So, what did you have planned for us, Duchess?" I asked. My teasing got the desired effect as her cheeks went pink.

"Nothing," she told me in that prim and proper tone.

I started getting dinner ready for us while she enjoyed a glass of wine. The dog laid down in the living room and promptly fell asleep. Staring down at the food on the stove, I wondered how big of a shit fit Lock would throw if I hired a chef to come cook for me and Eva each day. There were only so many meals I knew how to make and if she was here for long she'd get sick of them. I put the chicken in the oven to bake, then went to my room.

Eva was watching me with curiosity written all over her face. It morphed to shock when I handed her a small gift box. "What's this?"

"A Christmas present."

"I-but I didn't get you anything."

There was no way she would have been able to. The only reason I was able to get this for her was because of Andrew. He'd had it shipped overnight from Tiffany's.

"You don't need to give me anything," I told her. "Just open it."

She set her wine down, then took the box from me. Her eyes were wide as she lifted the lid, then gasped at what was inside. "Idaho, this is too much," she said as she pulled out a necklace with a diamond pendant.

I took it from her and moved around to her back. She stood so I wouldn't have to bend to put it on. It was impossible not to brush the backs of my fingers over her silky skin as I clasped the necklace in place. I stepped back so that I could see it hanging there glittering against her skin.

"It looks perfect on you, Duchess," I told her.

"Thank you," she whispered, turning and looking up at me with those gorgeous green eyes of hers.

"You're welcome."

Her hand lifted and she ran her fingers down the side of my face. The urge to kiss her was overwhelming. We were frozen, caught in the moment, staring into each other's eyes and fuck if I could help myself. I lowered my head, giving her a chance to stop me, but she didn't. She met me halfway, pressing her soft lips to mine. It was a gentle touch, but it still sent fire shooting through my veins.

I wrapped my arm around her waist and hauled her closer, deepening the kiss until we were both breathless. Her arms went around my neck as she held onto me tightly. My cock was rock hard in my jeans, pressing against her stomach as I kissed her senseless. "Fuck it," I muttered into her mouth. My free hand went to her ass and I lifted her up into my arms.

She wrapped her legs around my waist as I carried her back to my room and shut the door with my foot. I laid her on the bed, staring down at her as her hair fanned out over the comforter. There was acceptance and need in her eyes. It was all the permission I needed.

A sharp trilling sound interrupted the moment, making me frown. It took me a minute to realize it was my phone. Cursing, I pulled it out of my pocket and answered. I was expecting it to be Lockout with news on Sloane and the baby. What I wasn't expecting was for Eva to sit up and scoot until she was next to the side of my face I wasn't holding my phone to.

"Yeah?" My eyes narrowed when soft lips brushed over the side of my jaw. I glanced over and found her watching me, desire still burning in her gaze.

"Mr. Sharpe, it's James."

I blinked, trying to focus on what he was saying while Eva leaned forward again and began teasing me. The touches were light and uncertain, but fuck were they distracting. "Why are you calling me?" James was my PI. He was the one I had get started on tracking down the douchebags from the bar.

"Just wanted to give you an update."

"It's Christmas. I didn't expect you to work over the holiday."