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‘Honey, you’re marrying into a family that has no financial issues. You need to start 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 and 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 now and she didn’t really have any clue as to how rich the Munro’s really were.

‘Fine. I’ll just 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 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 I 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 when it came to 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 up 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 was focusing on her cleavage as her hands ran over his shoulders once more.

‘If it matters that much, surprise me with something... Flowers! A bottle of bubbly before the party. I’m easy 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 husky tone. ‘Or maybe just something you’re really 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 close 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 sound proofing?’ 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 the embarrassment Rose had felt when Abby had 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 own 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, but 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 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 guest room. I want you to 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 in this way.’ Rob was focused on the hall below, no hint of jest at all, just dead pan 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 I think 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. Make it a place we want our kids to grow up. I’m tired of this museum. Fill some of these rooms again, more staff... More noise.’ He sighed and rested his face against her cheek, both of them 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 ear shot.

Rose wasn’t about to tell her now.

‘Whatever!’ Abby muttered cluelessly and joined them on the balcony, overlooking the hall floor and its endless bright marble surface and dated furniture.

‘Get rid of some of the 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 that Alice had arranged a huge flower bouquet on.

‘I’m pretty sure the antique ‘stuff’ are 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, 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 you, 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 wistful 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 weighing down suddenly as she realised the amount of time and work it could potentially take.

‘It could take forever to change this entire house.’ She said aloud to no one in particular.

‘Well, you are going to be stuck here married 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 a 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, though, would you?...Being a sweet innocent untouched child!’ Rob grimaced and threw her a shady look that had 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 go play with her toys...Don’t you Abs?’ Rose shooed her away with hand gestures and warning looks.

‘Yes of course. The Barbie’s and such!’ Abby rolled her eyes and headed back off towards her room, knowing when a fight was brewing and for once doing as Rose was pleading with her eyes for her to do. 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 a tad 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 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 most likely look a lot more like you and that will just 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 over protective 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 began kissing her again.

‘Want to get a head start on perfecting our baby making skills...

You know, perfection takes practice.’