Je Suis a Toi - Pepper Winters Page 0,2

me into that gorgeous mind of yours because I won’t stop until you confide in me.”

I WAS USED to sneaking around.

I’d done it as a kid. I did it as an adult. Partly because I liked to be invisible—to approach and eavesdrop when others weren’t expecting and stalk the bastards who hurt women for pleasure—but mainly because it was who I was.

I couldn’t change habits that had become a part of me.

I moved in silence.

I didn’t know any other way.

However, tonight I wasn’t infiltrating an enemy’s den; I was returning to the woman I loved, tiptoeing across our bedroom like a fucking fugitive.

Every day, it became harder to avoid her.

She knew something bothered me but hadn’t gathered the courage to ask yet. But she would. It was only a matter of time.

But that time was not tonight. Not after the long day I’d had.

My eyes adjusted to the dark; only a sliver of moonlight cracked through the haphazardly drawn curtains.

My wife—I’d never get tired of that word—lay balled up beneath the covers of our enormous bed.

I sighed heavily at the blonde curls (that I’d fisted and caressed so many times) spread over my pillow. Every part of her claimed every part of me.

Her skin glowed almost luminescent in the darkness, and I read her pinched brow with concern. Even asleep, her body language let me know she was pissed at me.

And she had every right to be.

When I’d headed into the office this morning, I’d promised her I’d be back in time for dinner. Normally, I was able to keep my promises.

But not today.

Frederick had been particularly annoying, going over reports and end of year asset consolidation as if I wouldn’t be there to do it.

I’d made him CEO so I could spend more time with Tess and our charities, so why had he been so adamant about me working so hard today?

Untying my dress shoes, I slipped them silently from my feet.

I wasn’t clumsy.

I didn’t make a noise as I shed my clothing and padded toward the bed. Tess would never know what time I arrived home or how long I’d lain beside her.

All she needed to know was I would be with her in the morning.

Maybe then, we’d talk.

Swallowing my groan, I slipped into the cool cotton sheets and lay still, gauging how unconscious she was.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears, waiting…

When her breathing didn’t change or a rustle indicate she’d woken, I slid closer, wrapping my arm around her hips and dragging her back to my front.

Some days, I woke her up like this. I bit her neck, touched her wetness, and gave her no choice but to accept me.

But not tonight.

Tonight, I was tired and in no mood to play.

All I wanted to do was fall asleep with my esclave in my arms and dream happy dreams.

I didn’t want to be sad anymore.

I didn’t want to run from my thoughts.

I should be happy.

I was happy.

I had everything I could ever want.

Not everything.

Gritting my teeth, I cast aside such undermining frustration and forced myself to sleep.

“SUZETTE, STOP. I can manage.”

Suzette scoffed, repositioning the hamper on her hip as if it were a child and not a bulging feast with delicacies only Mrs. Sucre knew how to make. “Stop being so pushy. I want to help. So let me help.”

I rolled my eyes as we made our way through the back quarters of the house, past the swimming pool I didn’t know existed until I’d returned to Q, and into the humongous parking garage housing prized possessions.

Q hated these cars as they’d once belonged to his father. I understood why he felt that way, but once upon a time, the chateau was his father's, too. However, ever since the day Q took power, he’d turned something grotesque in its usage into something so pure and wonderful.

Just like these vehicles. They weren’t alive. They had no soul. Their lot in fate was to belong to either nice or naughty, and Q was a little bit of both.

Grabbing the keys to a limited edition Aston Martin something-or-other, Suzette and I manhandled the food into the boot. Once it was wedged in place, I slammed the lid with a muffled thump.

I brushed my hands together. “Now for the luggage and the man, then we’re ready to hit the road.”

“Won’t he be mad that you haven’t told him about this? That everyone is in on it but him?”

“No. A surprise will be good for him.”

“Last surprise he went on a killing spree