Chapter Two

CAIRO

Thirty minutes later, Crush eases the SUV along a snow-packed road, passing by the quaint shops of the small Christmas town. The windows are draped in garlands of green, gold, and silver, glimmering in the soft glow of holiday lights. A smile creeps onto my face. Christmas has always been Baylor’s favorite holiday.

Crush turns onto a winding road, and soon we pull up to a green sign that reads Santa’s Workshop in bright white letters. A chuckle rumbles in my chest.

Crush continues through the wrought-iron gate. I take in the sight of the large two-story cabin ahead trimmed in twinkling lights. Candles flicker in each window, casting a warm, welcoming glow.

The SUV rolls to a stop at the front door. “Boss, I know we’re on high alert these next few days. I’ve got your back,”

Crush says with quiet determination.

“Thank you,” I reply.

He nods. “I’ll do a perimeter check.”

I step out of the back seat and take a deep breath of the crisp winter air.

“Merry Christmas, Cairo,”

he calls over his shoulder.

I smirk. “Merry Christmas, Crush.”

After unlocking the front door, I step inside and quickly remove my coat, hanging it in the closet. My boots come off next before I sink my sock-clad feet into the soft, plush white carpet. The house is transformed into a winter wonderland, with twig trees placed in burlap sacks on either side of the bright atrium and green garlands decorating the banisters.

As I walk deeper into the house, my eyes are immediately drawn to a huge pink Christmas tree standing in the living room, adorned with twinkling lights and stunning ornaments. From the large windows overlooking the frozen lake, it creates a breathtaking sight.

"Good evening, Cairo," I hear a voice say behind me.

Turning around, my eyes widen at the sight of my woman.

"Baylor," I gasp.

She stands before me in a white fur hat that complements her shining auburn curls cascading over her shoulders. Her wrists are adorned with white fur cuffs, and she wears a sheer white nightie paired with tall wide white fur boots that stop at her knees. She looks like she's dressed for a trip to Russia. All she’s missing is a white fur coat.

Moving across the room, I cup her cheek in my hand. "Sometimes, baby, you don't even look real. You're like a stunning black Barbie doll with thick honey brown thighs."

She giggles at my compliment. “But I am real, Mr. Baccaro,”

she replies playfully.

My lips brush against hers. “Mrs. Baccaro, I can’t wait to marry you again. This time, with our families watching.”

Her hands press against my navy suit jacket, her eyes clouded with worry. “I don’t know what to do anymore, Cairo. My father… he’s not himself. Now he’s pushing me to marry Silas. How can I tell him I’m already married to you?”

Four years ago, Baylor and I got married in secret at a little chapel in Las Vegas. She's mine. Our fathers will be furious when they find out we're already married. But I don't care, because I've waited for this moment. Tomorrow, I take the throne, and all hell will break loose. War is inevitable, and I’m ready.

“The deal Dad made gives Silas control of half of Delaware City,”

she murmurs.

A wicked smirk spreads across my face. “That bastard thinks he can just waltz in and take the Baccaro half next. Silas has a death wish and I’m more than happy to grant it.”

My hand glides along her curves possessively. "Don't worry, Baylor. I'll handle it.”

She lets out a sigh of relief as her shoulders relax. "Okay."

My hands wrap around her neck as I take her lips in a bruising kiss. “Baby, the boots are cute, but I’ll never get your panties over them.”

Baylor chuckles. “Should I take them off?”

she asks as she pushes my suit jacket down my muscled arms.

“Fuck no,” I growl.

She tosses my jacket onto the sofa.

I grip the side of her panties and rip them off her body.

“Another ruined pair,”

she mutters.

“That's why I buy so many for you, Baylor. I have to get to your pussy as soon as fucking possible.”

My fingers glide along her slick folds. “I love how wet you are for your husband.”

Baylor nips at my lips. “All the time,”

she moans in ecstasy.

“On Christmas day, stop taking the birth control pills. I’m hoping to end the war as fast as it begins. Then we can work on starting a family right after Christmas.”

I drop to my knees and passionately lick and suck her sweet pussy. “I'm tired of living apart from you,”

I say before swirling my tongue around her clit.

“Cairo,”

she purrs. “Me too.”

Standing to my feet, I stare into her gray eyes. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect you.”

I remove the hat from her head and toss it aside.

“That motherfucker doesn’t have the right to kiss you. If Silas does, I'll take pleasure in slicing his lips off his face,”

I bite out.