“Put on your robe, Duchess,” he said softly, it was an order but it was gentle one. “That nightie’s sweet but I think me and Mick are the only ones should get to see it. And Mick’s was a one time opportunity, yeah?”
He didn’t wait for me to answer mainly because he really wasn’t asking a question.
I stood unmoving as he walked to the dresser and grabbed a t-shirt then turned and moved to the stairs, pulling it over his head. Then he wound around in his descent on the spiral staircase, yanking the shirt down to his waist and I lost sight of him.
For some reason, I liked it that he wanted me to put on a robe. For some reason, I liked it so much my toes were still curled like his gentle order was one of his kisses. And I liked it that he voiced it as a suggestion even though we both knew it was an order. An order not because he was being domineering but because it meant something to him that I didn’t put myself on display. It was up to me in the end to do what I wanted but he’d made his wishes clear and I knew how he’d feel if I defied them. Still, he wasn’t a jerk about it, he’d simply made his wishes clear in what I was guessing was a Colorado Mountain Man kind of way.
Or maybe it was just Max’s way.
Not to mention the fact that he thought my nightie was sweet.
“What’s up?” I heard Max ask, I jerked out of my stupor and ran to the bathroom.
I did my routine, left the bathroom, heard voices but not words, grabbed my robe, shrugged it on and belted it as I walked down the stairs.
Mindy was up on a hand, peering over the back of the couch at Mick, another man and Max standing in the kitchen. She looked sleepy and adorable.
I glanced in the kitchen, caught Max’s eyes then went directly to Mindy.
“Morning, sweetheart,” I said to her.
“What’re Mick and Jeff doin’ here?” she asked, her voice sleepy.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and lie back down?”
“Is everything okay?” she asked back, her eyes still on the police.
“I don’t know they just got here. You want to go upstairs?”
She shook her head but mumbled, “They should leave him alone. They gotta know what a visit from the cops would do to him.” She looked at me and said, “He’s a strong guy and it was a long time ago but you never forget that shit, ever.”
I had no idea what she was talking about but I also had the feeling that I really didn’t want to know. But before I could make up my mind whether or not to ask, she threw back the covers and I grabbed her clothes from the armchair.
“I’ll go upstairs to change,” she said, pulling Max’s t-shirt that she wore to bed down her thighs while still seated and I knew she didn’t want them to see her.
I handed her the clothes and straightened, turning to the kitchen.
“Sorry, gentleman?” I called and when six eyes hit me I went on, “a lady needs some privacy. Can I have your backs?”
They all looked at the back of Mindy’s head, she turned and gave them a wave over her shoulder. Mick and Jeff waved back but Max was smiling at me.
Then Mick and Jeff turned their backs to the living room and Mindy got up and darted to the stairs, whispering, “Thanks, Nina.”
I watched her go and then I walked to the kitchen calling, “All clear.”
They turned back to me and when I hit the kitchen Max claimed me. There was no other way to put it. I was claimed. He did this by pulling me tight into his side with an arm around my shoulders.
“Nina, you remember Mick? This is Jeff,” Max introduced and I nodded to Mick and Jeff.
“Hi gents,” I greeted.
“Nina,” Mick said.
“Nice to meet ‘cha,” Jeff smiled.
Mick’s eyes went to my cheek then they went to Max.
“Matthews?” he asked.