Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
What was wrong with me? He was old enough to be my father. He was cold and grouchy. Well, he pretended to be cold. I moved closer to him, but he didn’t stir. He’d told me he didn’t really sleep, but he sure seemed to be sleeping soundly now.
I wanted to touch him, run my hands over his body, slide my fingers under his that damn striped pajama top. What would he do if I pushed my hand into his pants and pulled out his cock? Would he let me ride him while he kept on his proper PJs? Suddenly, that seemed like the hottest thing ever.
What was I doing? Dom was an assassin and a mobster. He killed easily. His life was full of danger and secrets. What would it be like to be part of a family like his?
I’d realized my life wasn’t what I wanted it to be, but I didn’t want….
Did I?
Dom opened his eyes then. “Good morning.”
“Good morning. I was just thinking about the best possible way to wake you up.”
He frowned, and I knew I’d said the wrong thing. “Sorry. I can go now. I’m sure I won’t be as scared when it’s light outside. It looks like it’s going to be a nice day. Am I allowed to sit in the courtyard?” I sat up and started to stand, but Dom clamped his hand around my wrist.
“Don’t go.”
“Really? I know you probably want to be alone. I’ve already been here a long time, and—”
“I haven’t slept that long or that deeply in years.”
My heart skipped a beat. “You…really?”
“Yes.”
“I knew you didn’t sleep much, but—”
He waved his hand toward the adjoining bathroom. “Go take a shower. I need quiet while I wake up. There’s a robe hanging on the back of the door, you can use it when you get out.”
I wasn’t going to argue. I was just happy he wasn’t forcing me to leave.
16
DOM
Once Corey was in the shower, I put on my dressing gown and sat on one of the chairs near my bay window, looking out at the snowy courtyard. I’d slept, really truly slept for six hours. Hard. Too hard for someone who needed to be on alert. I couldn’t remember the last time that had happened.
I texted Beatrice and asked her to bring breakfast for me and Corey to my room. I expected her to question me, but all she said in return was be right there.
She might say something to me about Corey’s presence in my bedroom in private, but at least I knew she wouldn’t spread the word around. Besides, for all she knew he was just here to talk over further plans to keep him safe. Right. Because that couldn’t have happened in my office, and I always invited my guests to use my shower.
When she arrived moments later, the shower was still running. She glanced toward the bathroom and smiled.
“You don’t need to make any comments.”
Her smile grew wider. “No comments about someone—presumably Corey—using your shower. Does his need maintenance?”
I scowled at her. “No.”
She set down a tray with a selection of pastries, a coffee carafe, cups, and a covered plate. When she lifted the top I saw it was piled high with bacon. “Will this do for now? I know you’re likely very hungry.”
“Beatrice, that’s enough.”
“I only meant because you had a scare last night.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you know about that?”
“Enough to be even more alert than usual for trouble.”
“Roberto is no longer with us.”
She raised her brows. “In a permanent sense or he’s returned to Lucien’s household?”
“He’s in hell where Lisa belongs.”
“Ah. Right. Well then, if I see him, I will certainly alert you.”
I huffed. “Do that. Six and Muffin are here now. I expect they will do a better job protecting the house.”
She smiled. “I hope so, and thanks for telling me. I’ll double what I’d planned to make for lunch. Those two can really eat.”
“True. I trust you won’t mention anything about my breakfast arrangements.”
“Of course not.” She gestured to the tray. “There’s cream and sugar here, Corey—”
“Likes both. I know that.”
“I see. You’ve obviously been watching him closely.”
I snorted. “I watch everything closely, you know that.”
The water turned off, and I heard the shower door open.
“I’ll be on my way,” Beatrice said. “I don’t want to interrupt…whatever business you have with each other.”
I pointed at the door, and she laughed as she made her way out.
When Corey stepped out of the bathroom with his hair wet and curled from the steam, wearing my robe, my cock stirred, and I almost ordered him back to bed.
He noticed me staring and twirled around, showing himself off. “You like me in your robe?”
I scowled at him. I couldn’t give in to his flirtation. I needed to tell him the rest of the truth about Lisa. He needed to know the type of woman he was up against, and how serious it was that he let me take the lead in protecting him.