When we were by ourselves, I never felt as powerful or as needed as I did. Especially when I was the one constantly arousing him.
I was aware of how raw his voice sounded in the heat of the moment. As our bodies moved in unison, I recognized the scent of his skin. I was familiar with his appearance when he orgasmed.
I was aware of the gentle hugs and touches he preferred while we relaxed after sex. I was familiar with the way he embraced me while sleeping.
Even though we didn’t visit most of the beaches, I had no regrets about the passing week. Despite the fact that neither of us had said “I love you,” it had been the most emotional week of my life.
Real life began to set in once we returned to Quentin and turned on our cell phones, which had been off while we were away.
We had a lot of explaining to do because we were married. Meeting his family was the first thing we had to do.
As the early morning light poured through the window, I moaned and stretched. The area adjacent to me was cold and I frowned when I remembered Nicholas had to go to the office that day.
I spotted a piece of paper on the bed as I grabbed for his pillow to inhale his now-familiar scent-a blend of soap, sandalwood, and warmth.
[Good morning, sweetie.
I’m sorry to leave you in bed alone this morning, but know that I will be daydreaming about you throughout the day.
Please keep in mind that at noon, your personal shopper will arrive. Try to have a good time and spend a lot of money today!
My family dinner will be held at eight o’clock, so I’ll be home by six thirty. If you need something or if you miss me, call me.
Yours,
Nicholas.]
At his note, I sighed. When we arrived back and my items were moved to his closet, he had been horrified by my wardrobe-or lack thereof. His closet was easily bigger than my whole house at Atkins. The sight of my meager belongings Hanging beside his extensive collection made me feel sour.
He assisted me in sorting through the boxes that had been shipped from Atkins while we were away, and the entire night, he berated me for owning only books.
He didn’t seem to comprehend that I valued my books more highly than fancy clothing. He made an urgent call to Sandra, his personal assistant, who gave him suggested a person to help me get my outfits in line.
I got to know Courtney Lamb in this way.
At precisely noon, the doorbell rang, and Laura answered it immediately with me in tow. From her sleek hair to her stiletto shoes, the woman on the other side of the door looked stunning.
She extended her hand.
“Willow, my name is Courtney.” My cotton t-shirt, slacks, and tennis shoes caught her attention. “I understand why Mr. Rowe demanded immediate intervention,” she said.
She conveyed her comments with a joke and a wink, so I didn’t take it personally. I gave Laura a quick hug before grabbing my bag and leaving with Courtney in another chauffeured vehicle. The driver was Nicholas’ go-to person, whose name I later learned to be John.
As we sat down, she remarked, “I could get accustomed to this. Mr. Rowe had someone pick me up early from my residence. Do you always commute in this manner?”
“Oh, I think.”
Ever since I first met Nicholas, this had been the case.
John cut her off before she could ask me another question.
“Mrs. Rowe, what is our destination for the day?”
I sat still for a while before I noticed he was speaking to me. It would take some time to get used to my new title in the world.
“Uh…” I fixed my gaze on Courtney.
After responding, Courtney turned to face me. “I believe we can at least grab some essentials and pick a dress for you for this evening.”
I bit my lip. “Nicholas told me to buy a lot of things.”
She chuckled. “Stop worrying. We’ll take care of you. However, it will take more time than a single day to get your wardrobe into shape.”
I let out a loud groan.
I couldn’t help but notice her wicked grin. “We’re going to have fun, but I heard you are not the most enthusiastic shopper.”
“Do you serve a sizable clientele?” I asked, trying to make conversation.
“No, you’re the only one.” She cast a scowl in the direction of her phone. “Actually, this is the first time I’ve ever done something like that. Having earned a graduate degree in business and getting a job in the industry… I didn’t do this initially. Unfortunately, my last firm downsized. My aunt, Sandra, helped me get this job.”
She being in the same boat as me in this situation appealed to me. It seems more relaxed that way. I would feel out of depth if someone with a lot of experience was sitting in front of me… almost judging me for my lack of understanding.
She furrowed her eyebrows when I didn’t instantly respond.
“I swear we’ll find you the ideal wardrobe. I didn’t mean to worry you in the beginning when I told you that I was new to this. I simply wanted to be truthful.”
She was concerned that I might get angry.
I shook my head. “Courtney, I don’t have a problem with you being a rookie. In fact, it makes me feel better. I would rather that we just think of this as shopping with friends than under a reputable professional. I find that to be excessively formal and not to my taste.”
She grinned while exhaling a burst of air. “I was terrified that you would not like me and call Mr. Rowe to get me fired immediately.”
My mouth opened in surprise. “No way. I’ll get you a raise so long as we have a halfway decent time.”