These last two weeks have felt like a dream. I’ve grown to know Porter more, and that’s made me more comfortable with him and living here. I afraid of him at first, so unsure of everything, but not anymore. He’s always sweet and kind to me, nothing like the way he treats his employees. I’ve heard him yelling at some of his men a few times, and let's just say I never want to anger him. Though I doubt he’d treat me poorly even if I did.

  I’ve fallen into a routine. After we eat together every morning, a breakfast I make us, Porter usually goes to his office upstairs. While he’s doing that, I either bake, read, or watching television, something I’ve never done before. At lunchtime, I prepare food for Porter and David, taking it to them, and at night Porter and I eat on the balcony if it’s not too cold.

  When we’re together, we talk. I’ve told him every little thing about my life at Fort Peace. He usually tells me about the “real world” and shows me new things that amaze me. But, even after all these weeks, I still don’t know much about him. He only says he’s a businessman and handles things in many different fields. I’ve only seen a few of the men he has working for him. Apparently, he meets with most of them downstairs in his office there. I try to ask about Leo, but Porter shuts that down quickly. My gut is telling me something doesn’t add up, as if he’s holding something back, but I let it go. It can't possibly be that bad, can it?

  I look forward to seeing him at every opportunity, and can't stop from smiling when I do.

  I hear the timer go off, and move from the bedroom to the kitchen. As I start to pull out the cupcakes, I hear the elevator. I learned a while ago not to freak out when I do, Porter reassuring me only a select few that he trusts completely can access it.

  David comes around the corner and I give him a bright smile. “Hey, you.”

  “Faye. What you are making now?” We’ve become very close since I’ve been here. He’s younger than Porter, probably around thirty and has been like an older brother to me. I’ve learned to count on him for anything.

  “Cupcakes. They’re called red velvet,” I inform him, practically giddy. “I also made double chocolate earlier.” The latter is Porter’s favorite.

  I can see his eyes glaze over as he grabs one from the plate I point at. He gobbles it down in almost one bite, making me laugh. “God, I’m going to be fat man in no time,” he predicts as he takes another.

  “A little weight is healthy,” I tell him, starting to make the icing for this batch.

  I hear the elevator again and glance at the clock, realizing it’s still a little early for Porter. Two men I don’t know enter the kitchen and I instantly freeze. They're as big and intimidating as Porter. One has a thick beard, the other a noticeable scar running down his strong jaw.

  They both look at me and the scene in front of them. “The fuck?” The bearded one mumbles.

  David looks at me and my scared state and reaches to hold my hand. “You don’t have to be scared, Faye. Let me introduce you to Griffin and Duke,” he soothes me as he points out which is which. I relax at their names, remembering Porter talking about them. They’re his best friends and fellow businessmen.

  “No need to be scared,” The one with the scar, Duke, says with a small smile.

  They walk further into the kitchen and I return the smile as I introduce myself. “I’m Faye.” Lifting the plate, I ask, “Would you like a cupcake?”

  “Did we just go down the rabbit hole or something?” Griffin wants to know, taking one. “Fuck these are good,” he moans after seeming to swallow it whole.

  “Right! I’m telling you guys I’ll gain fifty pounds by the next month,” David says. His phone rings and he excuses himself, informing us, “I need to head downstairs. Be right back. Are you okay here?" He asks, the last directed at me to make sure I’m comfortable with Duke and Griffin. I give him a small nod, and he squeezes my hand in reassurance before leaving.

  “So, are you Porter’s cook or something?” Duke asks.

  “I’m not his cook,” I tell him, “but I do cook for him.” I can tell my answer confused them.

  “Who are you then?” Griffin questions me.

  “He never mentioned me?” I want to know, instantly hurt because he told me all about them. Is he embarrassed by me? I shake my head over the silly thought, reminding myself I'm not anything to Porter. He’s just protecting me out of kindness. Right?

  “No,” Duke replies, regaining my attention.

  “How long have you been staying here?” Duke asks at the same time.

  They fire off questions, making me dizzy. “I’m Porter’s,” is my response, not knowing what else to tell them. I don’t know what compelled me to say it though, but I did and it’s out there now.

  Their eyes widen and Griffin chuckles before asking, “You’re joking, right?” I shake my head no slowly and he stops instantly. “Since when?”

  “I’ve been living with him for two weeks,” I answer while icing the cupcakes.

  Duke chokes on his muffin and Griffin’s jaw drops. I don’t know why they’re so shocked. Doesn’t Porter court women? That thought makes me a little sick, but I don’t understand why. I hear the elevator seconds before Porter’s booming voice fills the space.

  “Honey, I’m home,” he calls out, making me smile. We recently watched some older shows, and whenever the husband came home, that's what he’d say. When I asked why, Porter said it’s just something you do. Ever since he does it each time he comes home for the night. “Smells amazing in here. Did you bake my favorite?” He turns the corner, his face going from a lighthearted smile to an annoyed frown instantly. “What the fuck are you two doing here?” He grumbles. During my time here I’ve grown used to the curse words he and David toss out, most I’d never heard of prior to them.

  “We were just meeting your woman and eating her cupcakes,” Griffin says with a grin.

  “You what?” His roar makes me jump.

  Duke and Griffin burst out laughing, and I feel like I missed something. “Actual cupcakes,” Duke informs him as he holds out the plate with a smile.

  Porter lets out a breath and glares at them before coming around the counter. Like always, he moves my hair behind my ear then kisses me on the cheek. At first, it felt sinful because I’d grown up on my father’s rules and was taught intimacy like this should be reserved for man and wife. But I’d quickly pushed that thought away, knowing the feelings I have for Porter feel too right. That reminds me that my father was looking for a match for me last time I saw him, something I still haven’t mentioned to Porter even after the many hours we’ve spent talking.

  “Are these bastards bothering you?” Porter’s voice is soft, but I can tell he’s irritated at his friends’ presence.

  “I’m fine and don’t talk about them that way,” I reprimand him with a gentle glare. I’ve noticed I've grown more confident in myself since being here. “And I made your favorite.”

  “You’re as sweet as your baked goods,” he grumbles. I suck in a breath, inhaling a waft of his amazing scent I love so much. His eyes are penetrating and I want nothing more than to touch him, but I don't have the guts to initiate contact between us yet.

  The sound of a throat clearing startles me and I quickly move to give Porter space, embarrassed his company saw such an intimate moment. I glance up and see the Duke and Griffin staring at Porter as if he has a third eye. “Would you like to stay for dinner?” I ask.

  “Yes,” Duke and Griffin answers at the same time Porter says the opposite. I can't help but giggle and Porter smiles at me, something he often does when I’m laughing.

  “I’m starving,” Griffin tells me. “You wouldn’t let Porter kick me out without feeding me, would you?” He asks with a playful pout.

  “Of course, I wouldn’t,” I reply to which Porter growls behind me.

  “Office. Now,” he snaps out. Duke and Griffin both grin as they leave the room. “Sorry, I didn’t know they’d be early. I was going to tell you tonight,” he apologizes, taking a step closer to me. I’ve grown used to his proximity to the point I actually crave it now. “Did they scare you?”

  I shake my head at him and let him know, “David introduced us and I trust him. Plus, I know you’d never let anything happen to me,” I tell him honestly as I look in his eyes.

  “Never. You’re safe with me,” he vows with a kiss to my forehead. I was shocked the first time he’d don’t that, but now find myself needing it more and more. “As a matter of fact, if anything ever happens to me or David, I want you to go to Duke or Griffin. You can trust them as you do me,” he informs me with all seriousness.

  “What's going to happen to you? Are you leaving?” I ask, suddenly scared.

  He smiles gently and says, “Nothing, Fay, so don’t worry.” He stops to kiss my nose this time before he whispers into my ear, “And I’ll never leave you.”

  “Never?” I practically beg, needing to hear him say it again.

  “Never,” he promises.

  It makes me feel better, but there’s also an ache in my heart because I don’t know if he’s only referring to while I’m here. What will happen once I go? That question makes me sick because I don’t think I can survive without him.

  Chapter 5

  Porter

  As soon as I sit in my office chair, Duke and Griffin ask every question they can think of.

  “Enough,” I snap, interrupting them.

  “Fuck, man, give us something,” Duke says dramatically.

  “Faye is none of your concern.” I don’t even want to talk to my best friends about her.

  “Oh, come on! You with a woman in your house is fucking weird,” Griffin adds.

  “She’s mine. That’s all you need to know. And you will behave over dinner and don’t pry into her personal life,” I warn them.

  “Fine,” Griffin agrees.

  I look to Duke next who says with a shrug, “Whatever you want. but we will have the full story sooner rather than later.”

  Dinner is torture, the guys spending most of the time sharing stories about me, luckily none reveal what I do. The food is terrific as usual, yet another reason I want her in my life. It’s a selfish one, but still there, nonetheless.

  After dessert, Faye says good night and heads to my bedroom to take a bath. Yes, she’s been sleeping in my bed though without me and it’s driving me mad. I’ve been staying in a guest room, but I spend each night dreaming about sleeping beside her to the point my hard-on gets incredibly uncomfortable. I was hoping the guys would get the hint and leave, but I’m not that lucky, so I pour the three of us a drink as we return to my office.

  “Spill,” Griffin demands after taking a sip.

  I roll my eyes and remind them, “I thought I made it clear I was not talking about this.” The fuckers barely lasted a few hours before bringing it up again.

  “That was before we spent time with her and started wondering how the fuck she ended up with you,” Duke clarifies.

  Rubbing my face with my hands, I give up and tell them where she’s from and how she got here. To say they’re shocked is an understatement.

  “So, what now?” Griffin wants to know.

  “I keep her,” I say matter-of-fact.

  “Keep her?” Duke repeats, like what I said is ridiculous. “Does she even know the real you? Let alone what you do and who you are?”

  I avoid his stare and drain my drink before answering, “She knows I’m a businessman.”

  Griffin barks out a laugh then says, “You can't keep her unless she knows. Otherwise, you risk her running when she finds out, and by then you'll both be in too deep and you'll be fucked”

  “She’s not going anywhere,” I growl.

  “You make it sound so simple,” Duke mutters.

  “It is,” I snap, “and I’m going to tell her. She just needs more time to adjust to this life.”

  “Translation: You're going to knock her up so she can't leave,” Griffin states like it's a joke.

  It does have merit and I smile at the thought of her pregnant with my child. I was planning to make her fall in love with me then tell her but getting her pregnant could work as well.

  “What about Leo?” Duke asks.

  “He’s planning something big and has been laying low for now. David is on it. We’ve been picking up any of his men when we can find and beating information out of them. So far none have been helpful,” I tell them.

  “This guy is a fucking cockroach. No matter what you do he doesn’t die,” Duke mutters.

  “He will soon, just give it time.”

  “You're not too distracted?” Griffin asks with a raised brow.

  I give him a hard look before assuring him, “I’m more focused than ever.”

  “All right then,” he breathes out. “I’m surprised someone like Faye would even want you.”

  “Why?” I ask a little outraged but have wondered the same fucking thing on some level.

  “You being an old man and all,” he smiles, letting me know he’s joking.

  “Laugh it up while you can, but can we actually handle business since you’re here?” I grumble.

  We spend the next few hours discussing shipments on a conference call with the other crime kings, Foster, Novak, Quinn, and Lawson, and a possible new ally from D.C., Maddox. When all is said and done, I send them on their way, finally getting alone time with Faye.

  I walk to my bedroom and knock lightly, her soft “come in”’ beckons me. She’s curled in bed reading, wearing her long flannel pajamas. “I just wanted to see how you're doing.”

  She sits up, then puts her book down and smiles. “I’m fine. They gone? Did they enjoy dinner?”

  Sensing her nervousness, I sit beside her and tell her honestly, “You were a perfect host.”

  “Do you think they liked me?” She asks shyly.

  I lean down to kiss her forehead and say, “They loved you.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “I’ll say good night then,” I tell her, then smile and go to stand.

  Her arm shoot out and she grabs my hand, halting my movement. As if realizing what she's done, Faye quickly removes her hand. “What’s wrong?”

  “I was…” she starts then pauses and looks down, a blush covering her beautiful skin.

  “Faye,” I cup her face and tilt it toward me. “You know you can tell me anything.”

  She swallows hard and whispers, “It’s sinful.” Her words instantly gain my attention.

  “What did I say?” I remind her.

  “Anything between us can never be sinful,” she responds.

  “So, ask your question, Faye,” I softly command as I stroke her cheek, tucking back her hair.

  She takes a moment, gathering her courage I assume, and her face turns red as she asks, “Can you please stay? I mean, share the bed with me.”

  My cock goes hard at her words, and I hide the triumphant smile crossing my face. I fucking love that she wants me, and I know with her shy and innocent nature it wasn’t easy. I take a deep breath to try and calm the monster in my pants.

  “Yes.” I feel almost giddy as I head to my walk-in closet and quickly undress, opting to keep my boxers and shirt on. I don’t want her to think I’m pushing her for sex. I’ll take it as slow as she needs me to, even if it kills me.

  I shut off the light and lay down. I can tell she’s nervous as she does the same. We’re facing each other and I breathe in her scent, my cock reacting to it. “Good night, Faye,” I whisper.

  “Good night, Porter.”

  With that we both close our eyes, and even with the steel rod in my pants making me uncomfortable as hell, it’s one of the best nights of sleep I’ve ever had. This shows me things are changing, that she’s warming up to the idea of us, and that’s all I can ask for.

  Two weeks later

  “Please, Porter,” Faye begs.

  I’m at the table finishing breakfast, Faye next to me with a cute little pout, something she’s learned the last few weeks and knows it makes me weak in the knees. She’s open up so much.

  We sleep together her each night, her wrapped in my arms and she’s in the same place when we wake up. She’s more accepting of my touches, even initiating them most of the time, but I want more. I want to kiss her, caress every inch of her, and sink into her pussy, hearing her luscious lips moan my name. I’m slowly dying, but I know she’s worth the wait.

  I’ve been distracting myself with work, Leo choosing to hide and let his men do his dirty work. David and my team keep picking them up and dealing with them, but others just take their place. Regardless, I won't stop until he’s six feet under.

  “Porter,” Faye says, gaining my attention. She wears her hair down now, whereas before it was always in a low ponytail. She’s glowing, accepting the new world she’s been thrust into, and I couldn’t be prouder. “I love this place and everything you’ve given me, but I want to explore the city!” She tells me.

  I know she must be going crazy after being cooped inside for a month, and have a feeling the only reason she’s lasted this long is that there was so much she didn’t know about the world outside Fort Peace. I instantly feel guilty as I remember she’s been sheltered her whole life and is here too. I don’t want to continue to do that, but Leo is still a threat.

  I lean over to stroke her face, brushing hair behind her ear and apologize, “I’m sorry,” I tell her honestly. “I just want to keep you safe,” I add, hoping she won't persist on going out and I can hold her off a little longer.

  “I am safe because you’d never let anything happen to me. Please, Porter, let me go outside.” She’s begging now, and it breaks my heart. She shouldn’t have to ask for anything.

  I put my dishes in the sink before turning towards her. “All right. I’ll take you out now.” It’s probably not the best plan, but I can’t handle the look in her eyes. She deserves to be set free.

 

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