“Did you just break my bed?” she asks after she regains her composure.
I’ve never liked feeling boxed in, and I apologize for breaking her bed, offering to buy her a new one, until we both look at each other.
“I’m glad it broke,” she says. And she’s right, so am I.
“I won’t be needing it anymore anyway, will I?”
I shake my head in the negative, and after yelping in pain as I catch myself on the splintered bed frame, I stand up offering her my hand before just bending down and scooping her up into my arms so she doesn’t get hurt by the jagged splinters and bolts sticking out at frightening angles.
“I think we can have dessert at my pla-” I start to say, before correcting myself.
“Home.” We both say at the same time. Sonya looks into my eyes making my heart melt at hearing her say that. To hear her say it on her own because I know it’s what she truly wants as well, not just me telling her so.
I set her down only long enough for her to put her robe on, slipping mine back on before I lift her up again in my arms, noticing how light she is.
Anything she wants from now on, she can have new. Her old life is finished, our new life starts right now.
Try as I might, I collide with the low beams of the stairwell again, and the front door on our way out, but in moments I’m striding back down the middle of the road with my prize in my arms.
Mine. Like it should be. Me and my woman, going home.
The same little old lady I noticed yesterday is in her yard again near her roses, her jaw dropping when she sees me carrying her neighbor down the street.
“You alright, dear?” The old woman asks Sonya, full of concern as I give her a dark look.
“Oh, much better today. Thanks Mrs. Pollock!” Sonya calls out cheerfully, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world to be carried down the street towards the new house at the end.
Once we get to the front door of our place, I stop for a second, looking down at Sonya, wanting to ask her something but thinking it’s better to save it, for later. But I store the memory of this feeling. Carrying her home.
“Our new home.” I tell her, using my fingers to open the door, which I thankfully didn’t lock.
“You can put me down now, Fox,” she says, looking a little red from embarrassment.
“I don’t know how you managed to carry me down the stairs, let alone down the street.”
I only grunt a reply, it’s never hard to carry her. Never hard to hold her. It only bothers me when I have to let her go.
“What is it?” she asks, noticing the dark look I’m still wearing.
My head’s cocked, straining to hear if anyone is in the house. Normally I wouldn’t care about coming home after leaving the place unlocked all night, but I have Sonya to look after now.
“I’ll just take a look around,” I tell her, bolting the door behind us.
She rolls her eyes, but smiles, shrugging as I set her down and I stalk off around the place, checking to see if we’re alone until I’m satisfied we really are. Satisfied nobody’s been inside our house while we’ve been gone.
I’m out back, having noticed the rear sliding doors to one of the patios was unlocked. Probably nothing, the whole place was a circus while they got it ready for my arrival, but I venture all the way down the rear of the yard just to make sure there’s no sign of any disturbance.
The sound of the doorbell chiming makes me turn on my heel, taking long strides to get there first. Willing Sonya not to open it.
For some reason, as silly as it sounds, I don’t even want her opening a door without me there to protect her.
I feel my whole body tensing up, my hands turning to fists as I hear Sonya’s voice. She’s not only opened the door, she’s let somebody in.
I growl loudly as I hear the unmistakable sound of a males voice.
I knew I shouldn’t have left her alone, not even for a minute.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Fox
I practically trip on my robe trying to scramble to the front of the house again, coming up the main hallway, I can see the front door’s open and Sonya’s gone.
My heart explodes as I practically howl like a wild animal, launching myself at the open doorway, feeling like tearing it from the framework when I look outside and see no one.
Hearing her laughter from the kitchen side of the house, I launch back down that way, clawing my way into the kitchen after gripping the sides to slow me down.
“Whoa!” the male voice cries, and I can see Sonya’s shocked face, which she covers with her hands as she stifles a laugh.
She’s on one side of the kitchen, and Mr. Soon to be torn apart is on the other. I take a breath, ready to throw myself at whoever it is, until I suddenly realize.
It’s just the grocery delivery boy.
He’s stunned, open mouthed, like Sonya was for a second, staring at my manhood, swaying in the breeze after my robe’s come open.
I make no effort to cover myself. My only concern is Sonya that no man, or anyone else is trying to get to her.
“The fuck.” Is all I can manage, feeling breathless. A tightness in my chest. The madness that’s gripped me only lessening by a degree, but I’m overcome with the urge to protect Sonya.
“Uhhh… Derek from Wondermart, Mr. Silverman… we have your grocery order and… uh… Sonya was kind enough to let me in…” he stammers.
He’s just a kid. About fifteen, I’d bet, but still a male and way too close to Sonya for my liking.
“And what was so funny?” I ask the pair of them, feeling my eyes dart from the youth to Sonya. Feeling myself unraveling with what I can only pinpoint as an insane level of jealousy.
Sonya, with more sense than two males in the same room, strolls over and ties my robe for me, pecking my cheek.
“Don’t be mad, Fox.” She whispers coolly before introducing us formally. “Derek is our neighbor too, I used to sit for his folks… he lives at number six.”
She gives me a firm look, telling me with her eyes to chill out and play nice.
I take a deep breath, then smile a crooked smile as I relax. The boy laughs like a hyena, nervously looking at the doorway past me, forgetting all about his grocery delivery.
“Sorry, Derek,” she says. I’m trying to calm myself but it’s useless. The sight of another male near Sonya… it’s too much.
“We left the house unlocked last night… was thinking maybe there was a prowler…” Sonya explains, moving me out of the way so the boy can get past, as eager to leave as I am to get him out of my house.
I watch them both as Sonya shows him to the door, my hands pumping into fists again as I overhear the little squirt’s question.
“Is that the same Fox Silverman who buys up all the land? I heard he buys whole neighborhoods, then flattens them for…” but I can’t listen. I won’t hear it. Not in my own house.
He hears my growl as I stride down the hall towards them both, and before I can get a hand to him, he opens the door and runs outside.
Sonya puts herself between me and the doorway, her hands on my chest.
“Fox, what is the matter with you?” she says, looking concerned more than frightened.
Once I know we’re alone, that the kid’s gone, I start to relax immediately.
I look briefly outside before closing the door again, bolting it and pressing my hands to my temples.
Sonya’s arms wind around my waist calming me even more. “What is it, Fox? What’s the matter… does Derek have some kind of problem with you?” She asks softly.
“He almost did!” I exclaim, feeling my whole body shaking as I try to dispel the feeling that came over me.
“I just… The thought of anyone…” I try and tell her, but it’s useless. If I tried to put how I feel into words, it would make me sound like a lunatic.
I kiss Sonya and hold her tight, “Just don’t open the door unless I’m around,” I say and after a few moments I feel almost human
enough to lead her back down to the kitchen.
“Let’s set you to work,” I joke, eyeing the stacked crates of groceries.
Without blinking, Sonya’s ready to help, “Tell me where things go and I’ll pack them away,” she says confidently.
“I have no idea where anything goes, we’re starting from scratch here,” I inform her. “How ‘bout you tell me where you want stuff?”
She gives me an uncertain look, then pecks my nose. “Are you sure you’re okay, Fox?” She asks me again.
“Never better,” I can assure her… Now.
As long as there’s no males within a five mile radius. I think I’ll be alright. That boy might’ve barely escaped with his life though.
I go through the crates, sighting the chilled and frozen items, bundling them into the refrigerator, noticing Sonya starting to plan out some pantry space.
“What was he saying about you buying up whole neighborhoods?” Sonya asks off handedly, a determined look on her face as she decides between cereal or cans for the third shelf.
“Tell you what,” I announce, taking both her hands again. “I never showed you around properly… c’mon… we can do all this later.”
It’s true. I’ve dragged her from her own bed, which I broke after claiming her and haven’t even shown her around our new house.
I’ve been so obsessed with just getting her, making sure she’s really here. That she’s mine.
Everything else has literally slipped my mind.
And I love her all the more for not saying anything, not complaining once.
“I was wondering if I’d ever get to see the place,” she says, grinning. “I daren’t wander off on my own,” she muses, making me feel just a little foolish for being so overprotective.
“It’s only because…” I start to tell her.
“I know,” she says, not letting me finish.
“… Because I love you.” I tell her firmly, gripping those hips and pulling her towards me, threatening to miss our house tour and putting the groceries away if I hold onto her a second longer.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Sonya
I’m starting to realize that Fox is a little more on the possessive side than I imagined. I thought I was imagining it, but nope. He won’t let anyone else near me.
It’s flattering, but I can tell we’ll have some work to do in that department, and me in my getting about the house in nothing but flimsy robes, so I guess we’re even for now.
The tour of his house sounds over inflated at first, but Fox isn’t kidding. The place is huge and I know I’m gonna get lost a few times before I settle in.
The rooms I’ve seen so far are all around two or three times the size of regular rooms, and the kitchen… well it feels like a restaurant’s but still has the charm and convenience of a modern domestic one.
The whole place is like something from the future, but keeps classic themes and colors, like patterned wallpapers and exquisite drapery in subtle balance with modern furniture and appliances.
“Maybe we should save your room ‘til last.” I venture, knowing what happens when the pair of us get anywhere near soft surfaces.
“Our room,” he corrects me absently, squeezing my hand as he guides me off down another hallway, off the main entrance which has a series of bright, naturally lit rooms. The first one’s pink which makes me frown then shrug.
Each to their own I suppose. The room has French windows and built in woodwork, loads of room but no furniture yet.
The next one is similar but has a sky blue color and theme, with more bold woodwork, with natural timber windows and framework.
The rest of the house is furnished, and I figure this wing of the house is like the pantry, just waiting to be stocked up.
The third room is more to my taste, a soft yellow theme, with strong white borders. It’s bright, playful and makes me feel good just standing in it. All the rooms have thick wool carpeting and the whole place has that new house smell, which I’m finding I really like.
“What do you think?” Fox asks me, his face is full of life and color now, any sign he was upset from before has vanished.
I feel a little awkward, never really one to get off on looking through empty rooms.
“It’s nice,” I squeak, wondering if he spent all the money on the house and had nothing left to fill it with.
“Like your pantry, I guess.” I muse out loud, turning as I look up at the ceiling before landing in his arms again, “Just waiting to be filled up?”
He makes a low sound, filled with pleasure and satisfaction. A sound I like to hear him make. It tells me that he’s happy.
Fox’s arms wrap around my belly and he nuzzles his chin into my neck.
“Do you see it yet?” he asks me, and I feel awkward, looking around for some clue, something in the décor to give me a hint.
I can only smile, but it won’t do for Fox.
“This is our home…” he tones softly. “These rooms… they’re empty, for now…” he adds gently, but it’s lost on me. I have no idea what he’s…
“Oooooohhhh….” I say suddenly, realizing exactly what he’s talking about.
“You mean pink for girls, blue for boys, right?” I ask aloud, feeling blonder than ever at not having joined the dots.
“But why would you…?” I start to ask, feeling his lips on mine dissolving my question before I can even ask it.
“Because a man’s no man until he has a family, a real family,” Fox says sternly.
“I’ve made it in business, have plenty of money, security but I’m the poorest guy on the street… on any street, because I don’t have a family,” he says thoughtfully.
I think it’s sweet, but at the same time a little bit over the top, most men would feel tied down with kids. Wouldn’t they?
Maybe it’s different for some guys.
Maybe it’s an older guy thing.
I daren’t ask him that though, I’d never even thought of Fox’s age until just now.
He does have a little distinguished gray around his temples, but his hair is thick and strong, like the rest of him.
He’s the finest specimen of manhood I’ve ever seen, regardless of his age. Age is just a number and if he wants a family then…
Ooooh shiiit.
The penny finally drops, and I realize that Fox wants more than just me living in his house… our house.
He wants a family to fill it as well.
Fox doesn’t say another word about it, he just lets it all sink in and I don’t mind that. He’s not asking me anything, he’s not telling me anything.
It’s like he’s just showing me what’s on offer and leaving it up to me to think about for a while.
It’s the second day of knowing him, and I think even Fox has slowed down some, giving me the impression he might have wanted to show me all this yesterday if I hadn’t flown off the handle and run away.
“Just tell me the whole house isn’t a series of blue, pink and yellow rooms,” I ask, needing to know he’s built more than just a giant, empty nursery.
He laughs easily and hugs me from behind.
“Yes, there’s plenty of other rooms to see. I just thought… well. Let’s check out the rest of the place… I haven’t seen all of it either,” he says with some enthusiasm, although I can sense he didn’t get the reaction from me he wanted with the whole baby room’s thing.
I’d love to have kids, I really would, but I just lost my virginity… give it some time…
But something in me has changed since I gave myself to Fox and I know deep down that it’s more than just losing my virginity.
Something he gave me. I can feel it.
Doing a bit of a mental backflip, I’m distracted all through the rest of Fox’s grand tour, catching vacant looks and distant stares from myself in the mirrors, windows and surfaces of the house as he shows me around.
I’m starting to wonder, based solely on my complete lack of birth control as well as experien
ce, if someone can get pregnant from their first time.
I mean, can they know they’re pregnant so soon after their first time?
I would ask Fox, but I’m almost scared to. If I did, I’m sure he’d want to take us out shopping for baby furniture on the spot, or go scouting for the best schools and even colleges.
He sure does seem to have a bee in his bonnet about wanting a family, but for now, I’ll just keep it to myself until I know for sure.
Passing the same rooms as we make our way back after seeing the rest of the house, I can’t help but pause at the big blue room while Fox goes on ahead, telling me he has to make a few phone calls. Asking me if it’s okay if he goes ahead and makes them, which of course, is fine with me.
I stand there, feeling totally different about the room now, about the whole place and my place in it.
That other feeling too, the one I’ve had all day. Thinking there’s something I’m sure I forgot.
I rub my belly staring up at the ceiling, at the timber framed windows, across to the woods.
Wondering.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Fox
Hank will hold the fort with the board, I know that much, but what the hell was that kid spouting about?
I push it to the back of my mind, calling up for more pressing things I need from my team, from my office.
I’d normally be at the office, but since yesterday, I have better things to deal with.
More exciting things.
I buzz the office, and fish Sonya’s panties off the living room floor, I note the size, relaying it to a personal assistant before tilting my head back and letting them rest on my face, breathing her in one more time.
“Just clothes, I guess…” I tell him. “Get one of the girls there to do it, a few changes of each will do. Yeah, yeah… jeans, blouses, underwear…? Joggers… oh about a six… thank you. Send those straight over, can you?”
I have no idea what I’m doing, but it’s a start. A fresh start. I don’t even want Sonya stepping a foot back in that other place, and I try to remind myself not to go completely overboard, but I also realize I probably already have.
Possessive Neighbor: An Instalove Possessive Alpha Romance (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 174) Page 6
