“Did you ask me to stay because you wanted to have sex with me?” A glint of defiance shimmers in her eyes. She crosses her arms, which brush against my chest, sending electric sparks shooting through me. The music is still playing, offering a dark soundtrack to the desire currently coursing through me. The melodic sounds chasing away the fear that’s held me captive for so long.
“I asked you to stay because I don’t want you going home alone.”
“I can safely take a cab,” she offers, gesturing with her chin to the door, but I shake my head. I don’t want her to leave.
“Not tonight,” I inform her.
She looks at me for a long while. I can see her mind whirling with responses she can offer me. But I hope to all that’s holy she doesn’t say no. Taking a step back, I offer Nea some space, but I don’t turn my gaze away from her.
“Okay,” she finally says. “But, I need something else to wear.” She gestures to her clothes, making me laugh. She’s still draped in the expensive purple ensemble, and I wish she didn’t have to take it off because she looks exquisite.
“I have some sweatpants and a T-shirt that should fit,” I tell her. She nods, and I hold out my hand to her. Silently, Nea slips her palm in mine, causing something inside me to click. Something almost relaxing. I have been on edge for years. Since Shay left, I’ve only focused on drinking myself into oblivion and getting lost in the fact that I don’t have a fucking clue if I’ll ever paint again. But with Nea here, everything feels different.
“Thank you,” she says again, and it’s starting to feel like our ritual. Her thanking me, and me wanting nothing more than to kiss her. To feel her mouth against mine, molding and submitting.
“You don’t have to keep thanking me,” I say as we make our way down the hall toward the guest bedroom. I push open the door and show her inside. “You’re my employee, someone I need to keep safe.” I know it’s a lie. She’s captured my attention so much more than any employee ever should.
“I’ve been taught to be polite, and saying thank you is the polite thing to do.” This is what she tells me as she moves through the bedroom, allowing her fingertips to trail over the curtains, the bed linen, even the smooth wood of the vanity.
“Well, you’ve already thanked me for a lot. You have no need to keep doing it,” I tell her adamantly, causing her to turn to regard me with those arresting eyes. “I’ll get the clothes so you can get changed. There is an attached bathroom if you’d like to freshen up. I can leave the items on the bed for you.”
I nod before shutting the door behind me, leaving her in the room. For a moment, I lean against the cool wood, hoping it will calm the storm raging within me, but it’s no use. I sigh, making my way to my bedroom to grab the sweats and tee for her. Just the thought of her draped in my clothes has my body aching. But I tamp it down and grab the items.
When I return to her, she’s not in the room, but I notice the bathroom door is shut, and I hear the shower. Setting the clothing on the bed, I leave, heading straight for the living room and the whiskey bottle awaiting me. My body is tense, my shoulders tight with the awareness of her presence.
I haven’t been alone with a woman in this house since Shay, and the thought of Nea sleeping only a couple of doors down from me has me on edge. I sip my drink, opening the patio doors to clear the air in the house. Being such an old building, I find that at times it feels claustrophobic, but perhaps it has something to do with the dark-haired beauty.
I settle on the bench overlooking the vast gardens. With my mind not entirely here, I don’t hear Nea coming out since she’s barefoot. Feeling her presence is what has me turning my head, and my breath gets caught in my throat.
She’s practically drowning in my clothes, and her wet hair makes her look like she’s been caught in the rain. Her skin is a soft pink from what I’m guessing was hot water from the shower, her cheeks rosy, and her plump lips full and inviting. I want to feel them once more, but I’d love to also see them wrapped around my dick.
“Would you like a drink?” I ask after clearing my throat.
She smiles, and my chest tightens. She’s utterly breathtaking. “Yes, please,” she tells me as she settles on the bench, folding her legs underneath her ass.