Robin Kaye - Yours for the Taking (Domestic Gods #4)

Ben walked into the master bedroom with his suitcase after showing Gramps to the guest room.

Gina slammed the door so hard the walls shook. You didnt warn me that your grandfather was a cagey old fart.

I believe I did, which is why we bought this house and took all the precautions with the prenup in the first place.

Does he think he can just buy everything and everyone he wants? Heres a newsflash for you, Ben. Im not for sale.

Ben sat on the bed and leaned back against the pillows. He just forced you to take a vacation. If you have a problem with that, I guess you need to talk to Rosalie. Knowing Gramps, though, I think its safe to say it would be a waste of time.

He watched her pace the room. She was a little bundle of energy about to explode. Itll be fine. Once youre in the plane, you can pretend youre in a really nice bus. Why dont we call Dr. Mike? Im sure he could prescribe a couple of Valium to get you through the trip. Ill wake you after we land.

She turned on her heel. I dont do drugs.

Gina, its not as if its heroin. Its just something to help you relax.

No. No drugs.

Fine, well give you a couple shots of vodka and itll be over before you sober up.

She hugged herself. Ill take a bus or a train. How long could it take?

Days. Ben shook his head. Gina, flying is safe. You have nothing to worry about. Besides, youll be with me.

Oh, and just what are you going to do when we crash? Sprout wings and whisk us away from the fireball? I dont think so.

Ben went to her and put his hands on her very tense shoulders, massaging them. Come on, Gina. Lets go to bed and get some sleep. Things will look better in the morning.

She turned around and faced him. And just where do you think youre going to sleep?

Ben couldnt help but smile. Here with you. I can hardly take the next bedroom. Gramps is in there. I think hell notice.

She shook her head, her bangs flying to and fro and then rearranging perfectly, tapering down to her cheekbone.

Whatever happened to the bed being as big as your first apartment? Ill stay on my side, you wont even know Im there.

Sleeping together wasnt part of the deal.

Yeah, and neither was flying. Things change and we have to improvise.

Improvisation? Is that what you call it?

Whatever works. He pulled his suit jacket off and hung it in the closet before he emptied his pockets on her dresser. She rummaged through a drawer full of nightclothes. Ben had spent long sleepless nights imagining what she wore to bed. Hed pictured her in everything from flannel grannies to peek-a-boo nightgowns and unfortunately for him, she looked hot in all of them. He purposely didnt look at what shed picked out. He wanted to be under the covers before he got a load of Gina in sleepwear. As it was, he was glad his trousers were pleated. It was going to be a long night.

Ben brought his shaving kit to the double vanity and brushed his teeth. Gina walked past and slammed the door to the bathroom. He heard the shower running as he stripped down to his boxer-briefs and wondered what side of the bed she preferred. Since he couldnt tell, he slid to the center.

Gina emerged from the steamy bathroom wearing a tight, pink, racer-back tank night gown, which ended at mid-thigh but left nothing to the imagination. God help him. She turned off the lights and climbed in on the side closest to the bathroom, opened her bedside table drawer, took out a black satin sleep mask, and donned it.

I cant believe you wear that thing to bed. I thought people only wore those in the movies.

She raised the mask to her forehead and glared. I cant believe youre in my bed and you actually have the balls to talk to me when I was doing such a great job ignoring your presence.

Why do you wear it?

She pulled her bangs out from under the elastic. Why do you care?

Just curious, I guess.

I sleep better when I cant see the clock.

Her reason was insane. You can if you lift the mask.

But I dont.

Then why not just stop looking at the clock?

Why not just stop bothering me? Gina crossed her arms, giving him a great cleavage shot.

Ben did his best to keep his eyes on hers. Because Im on Mountain Time and its not even 10:00 there.

And this is my problem because?

Its your problem because, like it or not, youre sleeping with me.

Hold on. Gina held up her hands as if to stop him. This is my bed so youre sleeping with me. And believe me, I dont like it. I dont like anything about this. How could your grandfather turn around and pull a stunt like forcing me to go on a honeymoon and get away with it?

Gina, not to point out the obvious, but money talks and he has about seven billion ways to make people listen. Every one of them works.

You know, her hands flew, punctuating every point, I told you this whole marriage thing was a mistake.

Ben put his arm around her and then regretted the action. Damn, she was so tiny, his arm could wrap all the way around her. She leaned into him and tucked her head beneath his chin. Her breasts were pillowed against his side and his dick jumped. Shit.

Its a shame.

Ben found his voice. What isthe marriage?

No, the fact that youre gay. If you werent, at least Id have something to do to keep myself from thinking about the possibility of getting on a plane in the morning.

Go to sleep, Gina. He hoped his voice didnt sound as strained to her as it did to him.

She curled up next to him, pulled down her mask, and was asleep in less time than it took him to stop tenting the sheet. It didnt help that the soap she used was a jasmine scented musk that made him want to just inhale her.

The king-sized bed seemed to shrink with Gina in it. Who knew such a little thing could take up so much room? She was a complete bed hog. No matter how far Ben slid over, she followed like a cat follows the sun. All night he did his darnedest to stay away from her but hed awaken with her curled up against him.

Get off of me!

Ben opened one eye and found himself practically on top of his wife. Thank God only the upper half of his body was touching her. Shed have a hell of a shock if the lower half were.

Sorry.

Gina slid away from him. Youre sorry?

Ben pulled the sheet up to cover any evidence of his incapacitation and ran his hand through his hair. Dont you dare blame this on me. Look at where you are. Im practically falling off the damn bed. Can I help it if youre on my side?

Gina moved like she had a fire under her and ran to the bathroom. Ben willed the vision of her bouncing around the room out of his mind. He needed to get up and get his pants on before she returned. He quickly did, brushed his teeth, and went down to the kitchen. When he trudged in, he was greeted by his grandfather sitting at the table with a copy of the Post spread out and a cup of coffee. Great, the other person he didnt want to see first thing in the morning.

Sleep well?

Ben rubbed his stubbled chin. Not especially. You? He stared at the old guy through bleary eyes as he searched the cabinets for a mug. He found it on the third try, poured coffee, and drank it down in one gulp. He couldnt stand small mugs.

I slept like a baby. How long do you think itll take for Gina to get packed?

Ben shrugged. I have no idea. Shes not happy about you forcing her to fly. She wants to go by bus.

Gramps shook his head. Youve got to get a tight rein on that little filly of yours now, or youll regret it, believe you me.

Ben looked up from his coffee and caught his grandfathers eye. You better not let Gina hear you talking about her like that. That filly has one heck of a kick.