Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(29)

For now, I’m just going to enjoy the sexy man in my bed. I snuggle in closer to him placing little kisses on his neck until he starts to wake up. “Again, Cat? I swear you’re insatiable.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Hell, no.”

“Shower?”

“You’re okay with the bandage?”

“Yep.”

“Then let’s go get wet.”

“I’m already wet.”

“You’re going to kill me, you know that, right?”

If only he knew how hard I’m working to actually keep him alive. “Never, Crown. I’ll protect you to my death.”

“I’ll do the same for you. I swear it.”

I kiss him hard, and then let him carry me into the shower. We spend way more time than necessary in there, but we do end up getting clean—after we get very dirty. I send him away to get dressed, because I know if he stays any longer, we’ll never make it to the celebration.

Since today is casual, I’m allowed to wear something a little more fun. It’s still a dress, but it’s comfortable and artsy, with splashes, stripes, and dots of color. I’m wearing bright orange flats with it, and no jewelry other than my engagement ring. I’m really looking forward to playing games and riding rides with Brayden now that we’re back to be real for the moment.

I’m the last one to walk into the dining room again, but what happens next is very different from last night. Brayden practically jumps out of his chair to greet me with a kiss. I smile at him as he takes my hand and leads me to the seat next to his. There’s already a plate of my favorite things waiting for me.

“You made me a plate?”

“I did.”

“Thanks.”

“Hi Darcy.”

I turn to look at Reina, and smile sheepishly. I didn’t even notice that they were here, and she knows it. Matt and Aiden are smiling at me, too, but Nate’s got his eyes on Brayden. If looks could kill, my fiancé would be dead.

“Hi, Rei.”

“Introduce me to him, Darce,” Nate says with a sneer.

“Brayden already introduced himself to us,” Jade reminds him, rolling her eyes.

“She’s my best friend, Angel. I want her to introduce me to the guy she’s sleeping with.”

“Holy shit. That’s Nate Anderson,” Brayden whispers from next to me. “I didn’t really pay attention when I came in since I was making your plate.”

I lean in to him. “I’d say his bark is worse than his bite, but it’s not.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. He’s really your best friend?”

“Yep.”

“He’s getting out of his chair. Please introduce me, or whatever.”

I almost laugh out loud, but I manage to rein it in enough to shoot Nate a glare. “Nate, this is my fiancé, Brayden. Bray, this is my best friend, Nate. Happy now?”

“No.”

“Sit down, Neanderthal. Darcy can take care of herself, and if she can’t, she’ll let you know and you can kick his ass,” Jade tells him.

“I’d fight him first,” Noah says.

“Please try, little boy.”

“Enough, Nate.”

He looks at me in shock, but shuts up. I’ve got too many other things to worry about without playing referee in a pissing match between him and Noah. And Brayden’s completely off limits.

“Wow. This is way more entertaining than our usual gigs,” Kace says, trying to ease the tension in the room while lying through his teeth. I want to run over and kiss him, but I know Stella will take care of that for me.

I dig into my breakfast, sharing kisses with Brayden every few bites. Audrey leaves our final schedule on the table between us, but doesn’t say anything. I think she’s afraid to break the spell we’re under at the moment, because having a couple who’s obviously into each other is something she can’t make happen. Well, maybe she could with one of her secret potions, but the real thing is always better.

“What are you going to do while I’m playing polo?”

“Watch you play polo. Duh.”

“You won’t be bored?”

“If you weren’t playing, then yeah, I’d be hella bored. But I get to see you up there being all sexy and manly.”

“I have a chance to actually win at this game.”

“There’s that, too.”

“Are you excited for the ball tonight?”

“No.”

“You don’t want to waltz in my arms before all of the American guests?”

“One percenters aren’t really my thing. I mean, I love Matt and Reina as well as my bosses in the Society, but I could care less about anyone else with money.”

“Did you steal from any of the attendees?”

“I haven’t seen a list.”

“So it’s possible?”

I chuckle at his curiosity, but answer him honestly. “Yes.”

“That’s the first time you’ve admitted to me that you’re a thief.”

“Ex-thief.”

“Semantics.”

I put down my fork and look at him. “You’ve never told me you loved me before.”