“Done.”
17
Theodore
Gabriella’s taking a shower when I step out of the penthouse and head down to the garage, the low moan as the water meets her skin becoming almost too much to bear. She was unaware of my presence inside the guest room while I dropped off a pair of sweatpants and a soft cotton shirt for her to wear.
I also left a note atop the bed telling her I’d be right back. That my house is hers to use as she pleases while ignoring how close she was.
Naked.
Wet.
Motherfucking mine.
I’d wanted to give her something that would make her comfortable, and instead, I received the gift of her sighing in contentment. That blissful sound made my already-hard cock throb, pulsing in pain for the release I denied it once again.
Soon, I whisper into the empty cab of my car while driving toward the Pie Bar like the easily manipulated man she’s made me; something the beautiful woman is unaware of. Ignorant of the many ways I admire her and have for longer than she knows—I’ve wanted her since seeing the first stroke of her brush on a blank canvas.
Each new color moved something within me. I saw the world through her eyes.
Turning right onto the street where the restaurant is located, I hit the number two on the vehicle’s screen and then wait. It rings once, and then there’s a click followed by heavy breathing. “Tero.”
“Evening, sir.” There’s a small yip from his end, and the owner doesn’t sound amused. “As you can hear, I don’t have a fan as a guest but an enemy waiting to pounce.”
“He can pounce all he wants.”
“I’m already aware of being his personal chew toy.”
A bark of laughter escapes me as I pull into a parking space, putting the car in park. “She’ll want to video call him in a bit to make sure he’s okay. I’ll need you to stay awake as long as it’s necessary, my friend.”
Even though I can’t see him, I can almost imagine Tero nodding his head. “Will I be taking him into the office with me or—”
“No. Bring him to the penthouse at ten.”
“Understood.” There’s a heavy silence afterward and then the sound of a door closing. For a few beats, I wait for him to gather his thoughts, but nothing. Instead, my patience grows thin and right before asking him to say whatever’s on his mind, he lets out a frustrated sigh. “Elise called the office as you predicted a few minutes before it closed, demanding to know where you live and why Miss Moore is at your home. She was downright hostile toward Meera.”
I close my eyes and tilt my head back, scratching my jaw. “I’m to assume she didn’t ask how Gabriella’s doing?”
“That was the least of her worries,” he hisses out, tone heavy with disgust. “That woman is a rat in the grass without honor. Most pests hunt for survival while she leeches off friends to gain social status.”
“Is that a personal observation?” I ask, already knowing the answer. His judgement is one I trust. “Or did you do your own analysis?”
“Both.”
“Speak up as my friend, not an employee.”
“They didn’t meet by chance or accident, Theodore. Something else is at play here, and I’m worried for her safety.”
“I know.” There’s a beep coming from the dash alerting me to the car turning off in thirty seconds if I don’t press the okay button, but I ignore it. It’s not important. “Someone wanted Elise to befriend her for a reason I’ve yet to uncover, but I will. No one will touch a hair on Gabriella’s head.”
“And I’ll do what must be done, Theodore.”
“You have my blessing.”
My eyes follow the smooth glide of her fork past those berry lips and then the slow tick of her jaw as she chews the bite of pie, emitting a low kittenish sound of approval at the taste. And fuck me, I find myself a little jealous of the inanimate object.
I’m hard in my seat. Fucking throbbing.
And yet, I don’t make a sound or move while imagining those plump lips wrapped around my shaft, head bobbing up and down while that soft tongue traces the underside.
“God, this is hitting the spot after today’s shit show.” Another groan, her tired body wiggling a bit in the chair I placed her in. Each noise is a temptation. Each smile a caress across the head of my cock, the bulbous tip leaking for her. “Is there more?”
I pour myself a second glass of red wine. “An entire pie, if you behave.”
“What does behaving entail?” The sass in her tone is alluring, but I hold myself back and instead focus on the red-rimmed eyes that look so tired. On the small sigh she tries to hide and the tense way she holds the fork.
“It entails your promise to sleep right after or at the very least, relax while watching a movie in the guest bedroom downstairs.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.” Her sharp brow lifts, but it’s the grateful expression I’m captivated by. What have they done to you, sweet girl? “This is all I’ll ask of you.”
“Thank you.” The tension in her body drains, and a bashful smile takes place. “You got yourself a deal, and I want another piece, please.”
“I’m a man of my word.” Standing from the table, I walk into the kitchen and pick up the pie she chose and take it back with me, placing it before her to take another slice. And she does so without prompting, opting for the larger cut while I’m left swallowing hard and reminding myself that I need to go slow for her.
I’m an obsessed man with this beautiful girl.
I’m going to enamor her until I’m the only thing she can focus on and allow as a distraction.
“Seriously, this place is a gem. Makes everything temporarily better.”
“How can I make that feeling everlasting?” Picking up my wine glass, I take a sip of the sweet red liquid. “We can do
