Breathe Me Smith and Belle (Royals Saga #11) - Geneva Lee Page 0,78

behind her, gripping her waist and slowly leading her past the grove until we reached my Christmas present. When it was in sight, I untied her blindfold. She blinked for a moment, as her eyes readjusted to the daylight.

“You got me a...barn?” She cocked her head, trying to understand. Her eyes skimmed across the once dilapidated building and I saw her beginning to see it was more than that.

Belle hadn’t been able to go out on the grounds when we viewed the home. She’d never seen the old stables, but the first time we’d toured Thornham, I’d immediately known what they were meant for. It had taken months and crews coming and going through a back road so as not to draw attention to their presence, but I’d managed to have her Christmas present done in time. When her eyes landed on the reimagined stable doors, she finally saw the sign: Bless.

“Is this…?” She clapped a hand over her mouth, turning to me with tears in her eyes.

“Don’t cry, beautiful,” I said softly. I’d seen that too many times lately.

“I’m crying because I’m happy. How did you do this?”

“I’ll tell you later, but now I want to show you.” I grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the new offices of her company. When I opened the arched stable doors, I stepped to the side so she could enter first. Belle’s mouth fell open as she entered the large room.

We gutted the place entirely, making it into two large spaces. I took her to the offices first. It was open air, the stable walls plastered over and painted a clean white. We’d kept the beams criss-crossing overhead, their dark, weathered room a perfect contrast to the modern interior we’d designed below. A polished oak floor had been installed and there were several workstations set up throughout the space. But the centerpiece was a large marble top table with gold cage office chairs for ten around it.

“I’m going to have to hire more people,” she said, spinning around to take it all in. She paused when she saw the special spot I’d designed in the corner. Three half walls and a gate surrounded a child’s dreamland, complete with stuffed animals and books, a rocking chair, and a crib.

“For Penny,” I said, adding, “just in case.” I didn’t want to pressure my wife to take our daughter to her new offices, but I wanted her to have the option.

“You thought of everything,” she said breathlessly.

“Lola helped,” I admitted.

Belle snapped her fingers. “That’s why she had to come to Briarshead.”

“I’m sure she actually wanted to see you, too,” I said dryly. I took her hand. “Come on. There’s more.”

The other half of the space had been made into a sleek warehouse that kept all the unique needs of their clothing rental company in mind. There was a shipping station, organized down to the correct tape for each size box, as well as aisles and aisles of custom-designed racks. Most of the choices here had been Lola’s doing.

“I wanted you to be able to work here,” I told her. “I know you missed your office in London. It’s still there, but—”

She hooked a hand around my neck and shut me up with a kiss. “It’s perfect.”

“I did okay?” I hadn’t gotten a lot right lately. It felt nice to have another win.

“Better than that.” She licked her lower lip. “This is what you were up to?”

“Mostly.” I shrugged. Christmas didn’t seem like the time to bring up the other subjects occupying my mind. “You know, beautiful, you could put on one helluva fashion show here.”

“You want me to play dress up for you?”

“It’s one of my favorite games,” I reminded her. “Do you remember the first time?”

“At Harrods?” She lifted her brow. “A girl doesn’t forget a shopping trip like that. Got plans on New Year’s?”

“Are we having a party?” I asked.

“I think I could arrange a private viewing of our collection—to start the year out right,” she added innocently.

“Naturally.” I took a step closer, hooking my index finger in the waistband of her pants. “I’ll be honest my favorite item in your office is that big conference table.”

“Why’s that, Mr. Price?”

“Because, ever since I placed the order, I’ve been picturing fucking you on it six ways to Sunday.”

“Only six ways?” she asked.

I loved it when she challenged me. I scooped her off her feet, our mouths colliding together, as I carried her back into the office. When we reached the conference table, I