“I agree, taking your mouth is a tempting offer.”
“Theodore Astor!”
“Yes?”
“You’re doing a fabulous job at cheering me up,” Gabriella whispers suddenly and then presses those beautiful lips to mine in the sweetest kiss. It’s short and soft and the literal definition of perfection, but I want more. To own her. To devour. “Now, what’s under the large covering?”
“Another surprise.”
“Show me.” The demanding tone she uses, how she enunciates each word, is sexy and makes my cock throb. The hard son of bitch presses against the zipper of my pants, digging into the teeth in search of a relief we can’t have yet. She’s not ready for me, for the demonic need only she can incite.
“Not yet.” My expression is neutral, while inside I’m a ball of aching fire. Needing. Hungry.
“Why not?” she pouts, and I want to bite her bottom lip.
“One, she’s my surprise for another time. And two, because it’s feeding time, and someone will be here shortly to do so.” I can see the questions brewing at my words, but I shake my head. “Trust me, sweetheart. You’ll be meeting her soon enough.”
“She?”
“Yes, she.” Turning us around, I catch the moment Tero comes in with a box with the animal’s meal inside. We pass by each other, him smiling at Gabriella and my little painter curious as ever is trying to look around me, but I don’t pause until we’re inside the elevator shaft and the door is closed. “I know you have questions and I promise to answer them soon, but that back there is very important. It’s more than an opening night surprise. She’s my special gift to you.”
“That sounds insane.”
“Sometimes a little insanity is a blessing, Gabriella. Just like I never expected you, but you’ve knocked me down and have overtaken my world. Something I will never regret.”
29
Gabriella
I can’t get his words out of my head.
Their meaning and the heavy conviction that leads to one word: love.
It’s been brewing, growing—consuming my world since we met outside of the cafe a few weeks ago, and while it makes no sense, I’m unable to deny it. To myself. To him. Because there’s this undeniable pull that both throws me off my feet while helping me find an inner balance I’ve been missing.
And all because of him. Theodore Astor.
Being with him—just standing in his presence makes me feel at home, a warmth I’ve never felt before. Not once. Not with anyone. There’s just something about Theo that pulls me in, and I don’t fight it—him—the tight binds that both tethers and scares me.
It’s also why I’m currently arguing with the man, holding my ground. Arms crossed over my chest; I’m meeting his hard stare with one of my own while his jaw ticks. “Yes.”
“No.”
“Not up for debate, Mr. Astor.”
You’re right.” He steps into my personal space, crowding me against the front door of my home. He thinks I’m here to pick up clothes, while I’m here to stay. To get back to work, because I have a show to prepare for and a life that needs to carry on.
I’m not going to hide. I’ve done nothing wrong.
The police themselves have been patrolling the nearby area the last few nights, and nothing. No snakes. No threats. No bodies. And with the extra officers surrounding the neighborhood, I doubt there will be.
I can’t allow myself to think otherwise.
“You’re giving in that easily?” He doesn’t move back when I give him my best bitch brow; instead, I’m given a smirk. His eyes alight with humor. “What’s the catch?”
“Then I’ll stay over.”
“You want to—”
“I’m going to, sweetheart. Not a question.”
“But what about...?” His lips against mine silence me, eradicate any question or concern. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s slept over or that we wake up in the same bed. And if I’m being honest, the idea of him being here just in case does make my heart flutter.
Theo cares.
Maybe as much as I do.
“Fine,” I say just as he nibbles on my bottom lip, dragging his teeth across the kiss-swollen flesh. “But—”
“But nothing, Miss Moore.” Another teasing bite. “Open the door for us.”
“Okay.” Shakily, I turn, rubbing myself against his muscled chest and abs. I don’t miss how the area I touch clenches, how he sucks in a hiss through his teeth. It takes me longer than it should to put the key in the lock and turn the handle, but I’m too busy enjoying the feel of him. His harsh breaths. His manly scent. Eventually, I do, though, and step inside with Theodore close behind. “Is there anything you want to do tonight? Have you eaten yet?”
“No and no.”
“Are you hungry?” I don’t know the fine details of his diet, but I’m sure adjusting won’t be hard. I’m not a picky eater. “Can I cook for us?”
“That’d be nice, but I’m perfectly fine with vegging out and ordering in, too.”
“Unacceptable, Mr. Astor.” He follows me to the staircase’s first landing where I turn to face him, using the added height to face him head on. I’m almost nose to nose. Almost. “Let me spoil you a bit. What would make your mouth water tonight?”
“You.” No hesitation. There’s no stopping nor hiding the way my nipples tighten and thighs clench, the way my chest rises and falls at a faster pace nor the way he takes in each change, his pupils dilating until there’s very little of the amber left. He’s a beautiful man, and I’m susceptible to his every charm as if God created him for me. “All I will ever want in this life is you.”
“I want you too.” My own truth.
“But you’re not ready yet.” Theo takes a step closer, his lips hovering just a mere inch from my own while his arms wrap around my back. I’m held against him, trapped chest to chest and a harsh shiver runs down my body and onto his. “I know you’re a virgin, sweetheart, and as
