“What?”When he speaks, his voice sounds husky. It’s decadent, like warm chocolate drizzled over strawberries.
“Huh?” I work diligently on the sandwich, anything to keep me busy and my eyes off his.
“Why are you blushing?”
The knife falls out of my hand and clanks onto the plate.I screw my eyes shut. Can this moment get any more awkward? It feels like I’ve just stepped onto the stage ready to play, yet I’ve forgotten the notes. I can hear it now…the sudden hush, a moment of stillness, and then everyone’s eyes are on me.
But instead of a crowd, it’s just Gideon, and still, I want to sink into the floor, to be anywhere but here at this moment of humiliation.
My face burns, and my heart races.
I pivot away from him. But from behind me, I can hear his steps as he approaches. Then he’s right upon me, caging me in against the counter.
My back is to his front, and if I take a step back, I’d feel the hard planes of his chest.
“Turn around, firefly.” I shake my head. “Don’t hide from me. You never have to hide from me.”
Slowly, I do as he’s asked and turn around.
“Good girl.” My knees wobble at his words, and his eyes sparkle at my reaction. “That wasn’t so hard, right?”
“No.” I meet his gaze. “It wasn’t.”
He runs his fingers up the nape of my neck, and then they bracket around me tighter as he pulls me toward him.
Our lips meet, the force brutal.Primal.
It tastes like sin. Of all the things I shouldn’t want but can’t help but crave, it’s his kiss.Yet I do. So much.
I’m enraptured by this man, desperate for him, and as bad as an idea this is, I can’t find it in me to care.
Arms wrap around each other’s bodies, tongues fighting a wicked dance. I’m lost to this man, but that’s when a sound cuts through the lust.A man clears his throat, and I go still.
Gideon breaks the kiss, stepping away and blowing out a harsh breath. “No interruptions.” His voice echoes around the kitchen, angry and impatient.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but it can’t wait,” the man says from the doorway.
“Fine. Two minutes. Lower level.” When the man leaves, Gideon leans in.I think he’s actually going to kiss me again, but he leans around me and grabs the sandwich.
My sandwich, the sandwich he teased me over.
He lifts it to his mouth, smirking.
“Hey, that’s mine,” I whine.
“And that is the very reason I want it, firefly.” He winks before setting off to meet his men.
Leaving me equal measures of hungry and wanting.
34
SASHA
Hours later,I’m sitting in Gideon’s home theater, doing something I rarely get to do…relaxing. Ever since I’ve been living in his house, it has reminded me of the little pleasures I’ve been missing out on in the pursuit of my dream to attend Juilliard. If I’m not playing or sleeping, I’m usually working.
I’ve missed the luxury of watching movies and lying around.
This room is like every other room in this manor…incredible. It’s like nothing I have ever seen before. Despite the many times I’ve been here, the ambience never gets old.