Page 230 of The Grand Duel

He kisses the top of my head, his lips lingering. “I’ll make it right,” he promises again.

I smile, my mind wrapped up so fully in him, in the way he adored my body only hours ago, that I must miss the knock at the door.

We both look back over our shoulders at the front door, the new archway blocking part of the entrance, making it hard to see who’s walked into the house.

Charlie pulls the blanket up over me, right to my chin.

“Lowell,” he greets, clearly not expecting him.

Mason’s lips curl as he looks down at us on the mattress. “I can come back in a bit.”

“No,” I tell him. “It’s fine.” After hearing that he was the one to come and get Charlie in the night, I’m not about to kick him out.

He steps into the room and looks around the open plan lounge and kitchen, the new archway and hallway that have been started. “It looks good.”

“You should see the upstairs,” I tell him.

He grins, flicking his eyes to Charlie.

He tips his chin up at him. “I phoned Edna early and told her you won’t be in today. Neither of you. Nina is going to visit The Nightingale and speak to whoever she needs to about requesting a couple days off, Lissie.” He holds up a hand to me when I frown, sitting up. “I can assure you I tried to talk her out of it, but she’s in the city, and I’m not arguing with the over-tired, over-emotional pregnant woman. Trust me, it’s a battle you won’t win.”

I look up at Charlie, but he simply smiles and nods his head.

It’s the smile that gets me.

“She also told me to invite you both to dinner this evening.”

I feel Charlie nodding behind me. “We’ll be there.”

“Good,” Mason says, openly watching us with a lingering smile on his face. “Anything I can do?” he asks Charlie.

“I’ve already messaged Tom this morning and sent him to Elton House.”

He dips his head in answer. “Well, I saw the paint at the bottom of the stairs. It’s about time you did some actual work, Aldridge.”

I smile as I watch him walk back through the archway.

“I can assure you that painting is the last thing on my mind today,” Charlie calls after him.

“Yeah, I can see that,” comes back, the trace of his smile littered in the words. “See you tonight.”

My smile doesn’t leave my face, and as Charlie shifts out from my side, moving to lie over me, it only grows. “I can help you paint. I’m good at it.”

His brow flickers, his body flexing. “Yeah?”

I nod, serious.

“Open your legs.”

I do, and he smirks down at me, slipping beneath the blanket and settling between my thighs.

Charlie

“Everything else is fixed up, boss. Just the windows left to be replaced, but I boarded them up for now in case they don’t get delivered today.”

I tighten my hold on the steering wheel. “Thank you, Tom.”

“You want us back at your place in the morning? The kitchen is ready to be fitted, and if you’re happy with the front doors I’ll get them up.”