I keep it a secret from Greta because I don’t want her to think she owes me anything.
I’m being generous because she deserves it, not because I’m trying to get something in return.
A dark thought pops in the back of my head and I wonder if I’m really moral enough to never ask for a return on my favors. Maybe not...
“I don’t allow any hitting,” I reply in a chilling voice. “I don’t care how long she’s been teaching you. If she slaps you again it’ll be the last you see of her.”
Greta swallows. “Don’t use that tone with me,” she whispers. “I don’t know who you are when you talk like that.”
Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I sneer and pull at my collar. “Finish your noodles.”
“I’m full,” Greta murmurs, putting the bowl down and Baldur immediately digs in. Greta cowers, pulling her legs up and she stares at him as if she thinks he’s going to eat her. A smile curves my lips and I shake my head.
“He’s not dangerous.”
“Mhm...,” Greta drawls as if she disagrees and I straighten.
“Give me your hand.”
“Why?” she asks with raised brows.
Because I want to use it to jerk myself off.
“Just do it,” I snap impatiently and Greta hesitates but gives it to me and my body goes into turmoil when I feel the warmth of her skin. She stops breathing and shivers when I pull it toward Baldur. A worried whimper crosses her lips when I place it on top of his head.
“D...Dacre,” she stutters, “I’m not sure this is such a good idea.”
“Trust me.” This is the best fucking idea I’ve ever had. Using the dog as an excuse to touch Greta? I should’ve thought of it sooner. With my hand on top of hers, I teach her how to stroke Baldur’s fur and after a while she involuntarily relaxes.
I flood with warmth when she lets out a low, laugh. “He likes this,” she smiles, pleasantly surprised. “I always thought he’d bite me if I tried anything like it.”
“I told you he wasn’t dangerous. He can be nice when he wants to.”
And so can I.
Greta’s barely listening, her head bent over Baldur and I inhale the scent of her. She smells like love, like kindness and it explodes in me, making me feel like I’m a good man just from being in her presence.
Barely aware of what I’m doing, I realize I’m circling my thumb over Greta’s hand but she’s already noticed and she gasps, pulling away.Fuck. Ignoring the doe eyed look on her face I rasp, “Are you sure there’s not something you need?”
Shivering, she whispers, “I should go to bed.”
I could help you get naked.
Rising, she flutters past me and leaves me sitting there, cold and frustrated. Giving the coffee table a kick, I drag a hand through my hair.
A mobster’s always dangerous.
But a mobster who can’t have what he wants... now that’s a ticking time bomb.
CHAPTER THREE
Greta
I wake up in the middle of the night with a twitch.
My heart’s pounding like something’s going on but I have no idea what and it takes a while for my nerves to settle down.
Yawning, I rub my eyes and glance at the clock on my bedside table.