‘What about your office and the room downstairs?’ She blinked at him adoringly from her angle, unshed tears of happiness being swallowed down as she focused on the most gorgeous grey eyes in existence.
‘I need to keep some sort of bachelor pad in this place for nights you turf me out. I’d rather have a bed than a couch to toss and turn the night away.’ He joked and kissed her quickly on the cheek.
‘Shut up, you daftie.’ She smiled, elbowing him lightly in the stomach as he laid his arms easily around her shoulders, her head nestling against him as she still stared at the beautiful view. This corner of the house was the one she could see when she stood tiptoe in her kitchen; so many months ago, that glimpse of the dark place and overgrown tree line. It warmed her knowing that from the cottage, she would be able to see their special part of the house, and from here, she could see her special little hideaway.
‘I’ll move my office up across the hall. Keep it separate from our room so I don’t wake you when I work late. The rooms down there will stay as a bedroom and a small sitting room for guests like your parents. I want to keep close enough that I can still crawl into bed and molest you should I need a break.’ He chuckled, nuzzling her neck from behind and sending sparks through her body.
‘Still have your priorities then!’ She giggled and then wriggled as his nuzzling became more groping and nibbling, and a hand tried to slide under her dress.
‘Always, my number one priority is molesting you.’ Rob spun her around, so he could catch her front on, picking her up to pull her legs around his waist and carrying her out of the room that way. She was sitting high on him, with his hands under her butt and her hands on his shoulders. Rose laughed and leaned down to kiss him more passionately. Feeling that inner surge of satisfaction when he had to put her down quickly, unable to control himself and pinning her to the wall for an erotic kiss that left both panting and his hands up her dress. Rob wickedly manoeuvred her for a breathless quickie, clothing still on and underwear pulled aside, mumbling in her ear about ‘christening their room’. He was good at long and slow lovemaking but equally good a five-minute speed sessions when the passion overtook them.
Finally, looking more flushed and ruffled than before, they walked out of the room, pawing and kissing one another.
Pulling her back to the hall outside the doors, he stood in the wide space and motioned around them with one hand. It was darkened from lack of windows and a little dim.
‘The plans include this area too. Turning these rooms into one suite by bringing this area to a close with an outer doorway. Once safely tucked up here, we will have privacy, so you can wander about naked without worrying about anyone’s eyes except mine.’ He was looking at her in that devilish way again that brought a smile to her face. He had the knack for making her feel like the sexiest woman alive.
‘You’re sure you want to do this, Rob? It’s so much work and upheaval.?. So much money!’ Rose had to drag her eyes off those wide, strong shoulders and inviting muscular body, still reeling from the passion of minutes ago and aching to be back in bed this moment with him.
‘Honey, you’re marrying into a family with no financial issues. It would help if you started getting used to the fact that money will never be a problem. Start abusing your right as my wife to max out my credit cards. Buy whatever you want... A new car. A million dresses...A room full of kinky underwear.’ Again, with the glint in his eye, she knew it was not a joke. Rob was rather partial to her sexiest underwear and had made her keep it on a few times with lovemaking.
‘Ummm, yeah, I don’t think I could do that.’ She laughed, feeling weird about talking money, even though it was inevitably part of a marriage. They had never broached the subject before, and she didn’t know how rich the Munros were.
‘Fine. I’ll give you a bank account and keep it topped up.’ He shrugged as if that was the perfect solution and seemed to ignore Rose’s ‘I don’t think so’ laugh.
‘Rob? Be serious...What could I possibly want? Or need? This house is paid for, full of food and people running after me. The cottage was paid for too, so not even rent or a mortgage. I earn money. I’m financially stable. I may not be a rich Munro...’
‘Yet!’
She laughed at him and his raised brow and carried on.
‘Yet! …. But really, I am not some gold-digging big spender. I’m happy with what I have and don’t need anything. Definitely not a new car!’
‘I’m sure Abby will soon enough introduce you to her favourite designer dress boutiques and shoe shops, when she knows you have a sea of cash. She gets a limit on her spending every month.’ He kissed her head and pulled her along the hall, back to the familiar balconied rooms where Abby normally dwelled and looked back at her with a steady gaze. ‘Talking of dresses, at least let me pay for a new dress for tomorrow?’
‘I have a dress!’ Rose could only shake her head at him and smile.
‘Shoes?’ He raised his other brow.
‘Already delivered!’
‘Perfume?’ He was frowning now, obviously getting exasperated at how completely self-reliant Rose was regarding money.
‘Bought weeks ago, on a trip with your darling sister.’ Rose giggled at his slightly sour expression and reached out to smooth away his frown with her fingertips.
‘There must be something I...?’ He was exasperated now. She covered his lips with her fingertips
‘I’m not with you for the presents and money Rob. I’m all good. Trust me.’ She leaned to kiss him on the cheek, resting back on her heels to smooth his open shirt collar and steal a grope at that hard six-pack and muscled chest through his clothes.
‘You’re wounding my male ego here.’ His eyes had darkened somewhat, and she wasn’t sure if it was annoyance or lust. He focused on her cleavage as her hands ran over his shoulders again.
‘If it matters that much, surprise me with something... Flowers! A bottle of bubbly before the party. I’m easily pleased. I just need you!’ He pulled her onward a little, but she stopped him before they reached the stair, turning to pull his loosened tie down towards her, biting her lips suggestively with a naughty look in her eye and a husky tone. ‘Or maybe just something you’re good at.’ The grin on his face appeared instantly as he got the hint.
‘I’ll give you that a hundred times a day if that’s what you want.’ Rob leaned in close to murmur the words, reaching down yet further to kiss her intensely and wrap his arms around her possessively. Rose succumbed to another passionate kiss, tongues meeting and hands exploring her ass.
‘Oh, give over and get a room.’ Abby’s voice cut in as she trailed up the stair, dragging her college bag behind her. The bump, bump, as it hit the stairs behind her.
‘I was in the process of doing that?’ Rob grinned at his baby sister, batting her head with his palm as she passed by.
‘Finally!... Did she like the plans?’ She cocked her head, stopping to regard them both.
‘She!’ Is right here Ab’s and can answer for herself.’ Rose butted in, still wrapped in Rob’s embrace and snuggling into him.
‘Great, well?’ Abby enquired impatiently.
‘Yes. I love the plans and ideas. I’m really happy, and I think it’s going to be fabulous living on the same floor as you.’ Rose grinned at her and laughed at Abby’s eye roll.
‘Did you inform my dearest brother that we require soundproofing?’ Abby threw a cheeky smile as she passed them on the floor and walked off into her room nearby. Rose shook her head at the retreating figure and saw Rob frowning after her questioningly.
‘Your sister claims that everyone can hear us when we... You know...’ She nudged him suggestively and watched that serious face break into a smile and wicked look.
‘Can’t argue with that.’ He laughed, his cheeky grin an almost identical match for his siblings and no hint of Rose's embarrassment when Abby informed her the first time. Not that she expected Rob to feel ashamed about it, he didn’t care.
‘You two are far more alike than I care to admit.’ She raised her brow at him.
‘It’s hardly a surprise!’ He winked at her.
‘Yes, I know, because as she keeps telling me, you’re from the same gene pool.’
‘Well, it’s no coincidence that your best friend is the sister of your betrothed. You must have a serious attachment to our gene pool.’ He moved in to nuzzle her once more.
‘I must!’ She smiled, letting him trace small kisses across her neck before he spun her around to face the hall below them. The balcony in front of her and the great sheer drop in her vision.
‘This, my love, is going to be all yours... Bedroom first, then everything you see, all those doors and rooms tucked away. I want you to do whatever you need to make this place as much you as it is Munro.’ He sounded completely serious.
‘Rob, I can’t. It’s not right. This house, it’s beautiful as it is.’
‘It’s dated and has not been touched since my mother was alive. Most of the rooms haven’t seen any refurbishment since Abby was born. I’ve done the odd thing here and there, like the snug by the kitchen, the office, and the guest room. I was hoping you could make this our home, Rose, the way I feel when I walk into the cottage, and I feel you in every detail. Every cosy, simple touch that screams Rose. I love being there because it’s, so you and I want that for here too.’
‘What about your dad?’ Rose gaped at him in wide-eyed disbelief. Unsure what to feel at his request.
‘He agrees. He even said that one day he might consider moving back to his old room if the house was no longer a shrine to my mother’s tastes. She wouldn’t want us to live in the past and hold her memory this way.’ Rob was focused on the hall below, with no hint of jest, just deadpan seriousness.
‘Really?’ Rose couldn’t comprehend taking over this huge house and changing it that way.
‘We all need this, Rose...I’m sure my bank manager won’t agree, but it’s time to start over fresh.’
‘Ruin your house with my love of fluffy cushions and floral prints.’ She laughed, cuddling back against him and trying not to feel fear at what he was asking.
‘Breathe some life and love back into these halls. I’m tired of this museum. Make it a place we want our kids to grow up. Fill some of these rooms again, more staff... More noise.’ He sighed and rested his face against her cheek, gazing across the space.
‘More parties!’ Echoed Abby’s voice from somewhere nearby.
‘Less alcohol for Abby.’ Rose chimed in with a grin.
‘I don’t know. There’re some advantages to her passing out stone-cold drunk.’ Rob stifled an ouch as Rose elbowed him in the stomach. Still never admitting to Abby that their makeup sex had started in her bathroom, feet from her unconscious body, and as she was in earshot.
Rose wasn’t about to tell her now.
‘Whatever!’ Abby muttered cluelessly and joined them on the balcony overlooking the hall floor, its endless bright marble surface, and dated furniture.
‘Get rid of some ancient antique crap that makes this place feel like a Jane Austen set.’ She pouted and pointed out a wooden side table with ornate legs on that Alice had arranged a huge flower bouquet.
‘I’m pretty sure the antique ‘stuff’ is probably Munro heirlooms and very expensive.’ Rose informed her with a maternal frown. Abby shrugged.
‘It can all go into storage or be sold.’ Rob cut in. ‘Unless there’s anything you want to be left here or like. We’re not an overly sentimental family when it comes to furniture. Start from scratch if you want.’ He sighed over her head this time, resting his chin on her.
‘You’re both serious, aren’t you?’ She pulled her head free and looked up at him, craning her neck in bewilderment.
‘Deadly!...It’s time, Rose. A new chapter. No more grieving and living in the past. My mother would want the next lady of the house to put some life and smiles back into this house. She would have loved everything about you and what you have brought to my life. She would agree with me on this.’ Rob smiled softly at her and gave her a squeeze, Abby nodding in agreement with a dreamy look in her eye at the mention of her mother.
Rose stared back down at the vast floor again, the height quite impressive, taking note of the task before her. The huge task weighed down suddenly as she realised the amount of time and work it could take.
‘It could take forever to change this entire house.’ She said aloud to no one in particular.
‘Well, you will be married here to ‘that’ for an eternity.’ Abby pointed out, thrusting a thumb at Rob. ‘Need to have something to stave off the boredom of domestic bliss.’ She smiled and dodged Rob’s swing at her head.
‘Hey’, Rob cut in. ‘There’s a lot to be said for domestic bliss, missy.’ He chided, trying for a second grab at her, but she moved further away with a giggle. Rose tried to wriggle out of the way, expecting childish sparring to begin, but Rob pulled her closer and wouldn’t let her go with his strong arm around her waist.
‘On tap sex!’ Abby shrugged. ‘That’s the only perk I can think of.’ She had walked back to the balcony, further along, so she was out of Rob’s reach and looking back down at the floor below.
‘But you wouldn’t know about any of that, would you?... Being a sweet innocent, untouched child!’ Rob grimaced and threw her a shady look with no hint of humour. A definite rocky path for Abby to be treading along. Rose cut in as she saw the tilt of Abby’s head and the mouth pursing with a sarcastic response that would most likely make Rob self-implode.
‘Nope, she wouldn’t! Needs to just shut up and play with her toys... Don’t you, Abs?’ Rose shooed her away with hand gestures and warning looks.
‘Yes, of course. The Barbies and such!’ Abby rolled her eyes and headed back towards her room, knowing when a fight was brewing. For once doing as Rose was pleading with her eyes for her to do. The last thing she needed was Rob going into big brother mode over sex and strangling Duncan to death.
Rose stifled a laugh as she caught the terrifyingly protective look on Rob’s face as he watched his sister walk off and close her door.
‘You don’t think she’s let that boy get to third base, do you?’ He asked aggressively, a frown taking over his face and jaw tightening. Looking away, eyes wide in alarm, Rose just shrugged.
‘Who can tell? Abby’s not naive or dumb when it comes to boys.’ Rose hoped he wouldn’t keep pushing, she didn’t want to lie to him, but at the same time, she didn’t want to grass on Abby. He pondered the thought silently, staring back at Abby’s door and muttered something about needing a stern word and a man-to-man with that boy, almost under his breath. His grip on Rose was a little tighter than before.
‘Is this what you’re going to be like?’ She turned, pressing her back against the balcony, pulling him closer so their bodies pressed together.
‘When?’ He swung his eyes back to her.
‘When you have little girls of your own running around, and they get their first boyfriends?’ She giggled, instinctively reaching up to smooth that furrow of his brow away.
‘Worse! Because they will likely look a lot more like you, which will make me crazy bad when it comes to guys trying it on.’ That furrow only deepened with a hint of fierceness.
‘I may have to make sure we only have sons then.’ Rose couldn’t help but giggle at him and his overprotective ways.
‘That could work!’ He grinned, breaking that scary look and normal calm and gorgeous Rob features returning. Lifting her under the butt to meet his mouth, he kissed her again.
‘Want to get a head start on perfecting our baby-making skills...
You know, perfection takes practice.’