Page 35 of Love You Already

As I'll ever be. Please give me strength...

CHAPTER 17

TAKING CARE OF YOU IS A GIFT.

Rose

Lachlan keeps his promise to not complain through the shopping expedition in Houston. Firefly Cove doesn't have a place big enough to support all the home goods items I'd need to make my house feel home-y. My family had the best of intentions with the house. I'm thankful for it, obviously. It just really needs a woman's touch. My touch in particular.

Though as the day goes on, I find myself more and more curious as to what Lachlan would pick. I get his opinion on several things. Throw pillow softness and which backup bedding he likes best. He's a good sport through it all.

“This one is the softest. Hands down.”

“Get the blue one. It's easy enough to fit in with the paint you picked.”

“Those curtains are good, but if you want to block the light and heat, grab these.”

Every instance of him helping gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. Like when you get the blanket fresh from the dryer and wrap up in it. Lachlan is that for me on this trip.

By the time we make it home, the back of my truck is loaded down with stuff. I've got a whole new house in there and we're only getting started.

“I'll set up to paint the bedroom first. Then we'll work on the kitchen,” he tells me once he parks.

“Sounds good to me. You give the instructions, boss. I'm here to help.”

His eyes go molten as I poke at him. If there was one solid thing I learned in Vegas that night, it's that Lachlan loves to take control. Using me as he wants was like a high for him. He got off on knowing I'd do whatever he asked, within reason of course. But he never asked for anything too wild or crazy. He was just a man who wanted a woman. Me. He wanted me. And I know he still does.

All the little touches from today run through my mind. His hand on the small of my back as he'd guide me through the store. Him walking on the outer part of the sidewalk to keep me away from the cars. Him opening my door and paying for everything.

Yeah, he did. The man refused to let me pay for a single thing all day.

At first, I was pissed about it. When you're a woman who has had to prove herself in her career for so long, you have this chip on your shoulder that makes you jump to react when men are chivalrous. It feels like a trap. Like misogyny in disguise.

Lachlan isn't like that. He simply said, “Only the best for my wife” as he slid his credit card across the counter to the sales associate.

I accepted the gifts since I didn't want to argue with him. If we eventually part ways, then I'll just settle the bill then. Though I doubt he'd even let me.

“You good there, Ace?” His voice and the tender touch of his hand on my elbow shocks me back to reality.

I jump as I turn to look up at him. “Yeah,” I force out. My voice is brittle, the emotions of my thoughts settling over me.

Why does he have to be this thoughtful? I'm thankful I didn't marry a jerk, but also, how can I live with myself if I let Lachlan go? How will I ever find a forever that looks and feels as amazing as this?

His thumb rubs a soothing pattern against my skin. “You sure? If you're tired, we can take a break for a bit. I don't mind keeping quiet while you nap.”

As if his words are a direct connection to my body, my jaw cracks open in an embarrassing yawn. I flush in embarrassment.

“Guess I might actually need to. It won't bother you? I don't mind if you head back out to work with the guys. I can probably get the rest of this done since I'm not working tonight.”

I look over the expanse of items we bought. There's a lot to it, and though I don't want to do it alone, I totally could.

Lachlan's hand moves to grip my chin. With a light touch, he manages to set my body on fire. He tilts my head until we're eye to eye.

“This is how we're going to play it. I'm taking you to bed and tucking you in. Then when you're up to it, we'll get things going with the redecoration project. I'm not going anywhere.”

His words are a promise for more than just today. Even when he has to get back to work in the fall, I know he'll only be a drive away. A relatively short one at that. It's not like he's halfway across the country like I originally thought he'd be when we met in Vegas.

I nod into his grip. “Thank you,” I reply, since no other words seem right.