Chapter 83

**Artemis**


I am never letting this woman go anywhere without me ever again. Every time I take my eye off her she gets into some crazy trouble that nearly sends me to an early grave with worry. No, she is going to be so sick of me because I’m going to be stuck on her ass like a barnacle.

“Where exactly is home? I mean your family home is compromised, so is your old apartment and the hotel. Where else can we go? I don’t think there are many options where someone won’t find us.” My wife says.

She playing with the hair on the back of my neck and it’s crazy that such a small touch from her can drive me crazy. It doesn’t help that she’s sitting on my lap. Why did I put her there in the first place? I must be a masochist. I would gladly suffer if she’s the one torturing me, but I’m getting off topic.

I wanted for us to find a place together but I found a place I think she will love and it is only minimally furnished so she can change it however she likes, but it’s also a home. A house where we can raise our kids without city life blaring through our windows every morning. Now that I have my father somewhat dealt with for now, I can try and get things settled for good. I still plan on closing our old office and starting new, but there is some legal tape we need to cut through before we can do that.

That means at least a few weeks where there isn’t much that can be done. All our files and client lists have been saved and are protected until we are up and running again. Thankfully our clients were understanding, especially when I told them that none of this would affect them. I can work remotely at home until everything is set up. I already have things coming in a few days for the room I picked out for my office.

“I found a place for us. It’s nothing like the other places though, so I hope you don’t hate it. It’s also not so close to the center of town, so it will feel more relaxed.” I try to explain, but it still sounds less than exciting. “You’ll see.”

She smiles at me. “I’m sure I’ll love it. I’ve had my share of moving around so I’m fine wherever we are.”

I look at my wife and wonder how someone who has been through so much can still smile like that. This smile is one I’ve been seeing a lot more. It isn’t the forced smile with hints of sadness in the corner of her eyes. This is almost looks real…like she’s truly happy. Did I do that? I don’t thin I have ever made any one smile…ever. So to see that I can make her happy even with my rough edges makes me feel like I could do anything.

“It’s plain on the inside for now because I wanted you to decide what you want it to look like and I won’t be going into the office for a while so we can spend time getting things together.” I throw out in hopes that it makes the whole experience seem a little more exciting for her.

Fuck this caring shit it hard work. I’m constantly worried about what she thinks or wants, it’s exhausting.

“Really? That could be fun, but I don’t know much about home decorating. Maybe we should ask Rhea to-“

“No.” I say cutting her off. “She will make it into something she wants. It’s our home, so only we get a say in what it looks like. I’m not letting my sister turn our house into a circus of nonsense.”

Blue laughs. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be all that bad. Plus, she has good style.”

I gently grab her chin and turn her head, so we are eye to eye. “Blue, no. This is your house.”

Her smile is gone and she’s looking at me with such uncertainty that I consider for a second letting her ask my sister for help, but she deserves this. She has never had a place that was her home. I want her to have that.

“Okay.” She whispers. “You don’t know how much this means to me Artemis.”

“I have an idea, but I accept your gratitude.”

She laughs again but a lone tear falls which I wipe away before she can. “You’re crazy. I’m not sure how I’m going to survive you being so sweet like this. You’re spoiling me. Maybe you should spread the love around.”

I look forward and clench my jaw. The idea of being warm and fuzzy with everyone else sounds more like torture. “I don’t think so. There are enough people talking about loving everyone and everything. I’m not one of those hippie types.”

“I thought you wanted to try.” She points out.

Yeah, I did but I’m not ready to become a lover of everyone just yet. It’s easier just to keep it focused on one person. That is easy, so I’m happy to keep things the way they are for as long as possible. Apart from my sisters. I guess they deserve to hear from me more than the few words we exchange at the occasional gathering. They were on my side with the shit with our father, so I guess I owe them. A little.

“I’ll try later. Right now, I’m exhausted and I want to craw into bed and pass out.” I admit.

“No late night working?” She asks.

“You’ve conditioned me.”

“Already? That seems quick to completely change someone’s sleep schedule.”

“Well, when I have a sexy as hell woman in my bed, I’m happy to change my schedule around.”

She scoffs like I’m being too much. “Shut up. I’m far from sexy, but I appreciate the compliment.”

“What are you talking about?” How the fuck could she not think she’s sexy.

Her in my shirt with the buttons down enough that it drops past her shoulder on one side and that just- been-fucked-all-night hair…she looks sexy as hell.

“I’m talking about the tons of women who threw themselves at you over the years. I’ve seen the pictures. I have no idea how you didn’t end up with one of them. I think eighty percent of them were actual models. That’s a lot to live up to.”

She’s trying to sound playful, but I can see this really bothers her. I’m not sure how we ended up on this subject but if she thinks I would care about any of those women then she’s crazy.

“I would never be with any of those women. Several times I tried going on a date with one to get Alan off my back, and it would end with me listening to the woman babbling about things I didn’t care about.”

“Well, most women don’t understand your nerd talk.” She points out.

When I give her an unamused look she just laughs.

“Anyway, I never got a word in. Most of them would alert the media so they could get their pictures all over the gossip magazines and my father was happy to make it happen. It was a show for the masses and I don’t want that kind of life. I liked doing my work and only interacting with people when I had to. Relationships always seemed like an unnecessary burden that I didn’t want to deal with. That’s why I waited so long before picking someone to marry. There was no one I wanted to shackle myself to for life. If you hadn’t agreed I would have had no choice, and I’d be dealing with a gold digging socialite right now. You saved me from that fate, and I ended up actually liking you.”

She rolls her eyes. “Gee thanks. I guess I sort of like you too. Heaven knows why when you say such sweet things.” Her sarcasm is thick.

“I am nice.” I say agreeing with her.

She shakes her head and surprises me by kissing me on the tip of my nose. I’m startled by the odd gesture which makes her laugh again.

“What was that?” I ask.

“You’re cute that’s all.” She turns in my lap so that she’s straddling me.

My hands rest on her thigh, and she rests her hands on my shoulders. She doesn’t say anything right away. All she does is look at me for a long time. I’m not sure what she wants me to do. I know what I want to do, but I also don’t want to give Bryant a show.
Wait…shit she’s still on her period. I need to knock her up soon so that little detail won’t stop me. Don’t they have things for women that let them have sex on their period? I mean I’m not squeamish or anything so I would be open to just going for it, but would she? All I know is if she keeps sitting on my lap like this then we are about to find out.