But his thoughts kept drifting back to Andy. Matt could still vividly recall the sight of the young man, clad in nothing but a plush bathrobe, his slender frame and disheveled hair exuding an air of tousled sensuality.
Despite Andy’s defiant attitude and sharp tongue, Matt couldn’t help but find him utterly captivating, a delicious blend of vulnerability and strength that ignited a primal hunger within him. The way Andy’s lithe body had pressed against his own, the heat of his skin searing through the fabric of the robe, had sent a jolt of desire coursing through Matt’s veins.
Matt could sense the undercurrent of attraction simmering beneath Andy’s prickly exterior. Whenever he moved closer, invading Andy’s personal space, the young man’s eyes would widen ever so slightly, his pupils dilating as his gaze flickered down to Matt’s lips. A delicate flush would dust his cheekbones, and his breath would hitch, a subtle yet telling reaction that sent a thrill coursing through Matt.
Yet Andy remained steadfastly defiant, his sharp tongue lashing out with biting retorts, as if he was trying to push Matt away. Matt couldn’t help but wonder if this was all an act, a game of hard-to-get designed to tantalize and tease. Or perhaps there was something deeper, a vulnerability that Andy guarded fiercely beneath his tough exterior.
Hours later, as Matt exited the lavish party, Eddie was there to greet him, holding the door of the car open. Matt slid into the back seat, and Eddie handed him a slim package containing the latest smartphone model.
With deft fingers, Matt tore through the packaging, his eyes flickering with approval as he powered on the device. He quickly entered his contact information, ensuring that this new line of communication would be secure and untraceable.
When they reached The Maxwell’s, Matt’s long strides carried him swiftly to his penthouse. As the doors slid open, he was greeted by the sight of Andy hunched over his laptop, his slender fingers flying across the keyboard with a focused intensity. The young man was so engrossed in his coding that he didn’t even notice Matt’s arrival.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Matt’s mouth as he watched Andy, his gaze drinking in the sight before him. The soft glow of the laptop cast an ethereal light over Andy’s features, highlighting the delicate curves of his cheekbones and the sweep of his lashes against his flushed skin. His ebony hair fell in tousled waves, framing his face in a way that made Matt’s fingers itch to brush the strands back.
Andy’s body arched in a languid stretch, the vertebrae in his neck popping softly. As he twisted, his eyes locked on to Matt, and a sharp intake of breath followed. “Jesus, you nearly gave me a heart attack. How long have you been standing there?”
“Awhile,” Matt replied, his voice an even timbre as he leaned against the doorframe.
A smirk twisted Andy’s lips, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. “Don’t billionaires have better things to do than lurking in doorways?”
The retort drew a half smile from Matt. “Sometimes we find interesting ways to pass the time,” he replied smoothly, enjoying seeing the spark of irritation in those beautiful eyes. He pushed off from the doorframe and approached Andy. With each step, the space between them shrank until they were close enough to share breaths.
He could see the subtle shift in Andy’s expression, the way his pupils dilated and his breath hitched ever so slightly. Matt reveled in the response, finding Andy’s flustered state irresistibly endearing.
Setting the new phone on the table, Matt’s voice softened to a murmur. “Accidents happen, but phones can be broken all too easily. You’ll want to take extra care with this one.”
His fingers grazed Andy’s neck with the lightest touch, envisioning the slender band of a choker encircling it. Andy’s swallow was audible this time, his Adam’s apple bobbing against Matt’s fingertips, and Matt felt a rush of possessiveness at the sight. Unable to resist, he leaned in closer and pressed his lips to Andy’s forehead in a brief, tender kiss. The heat bloomed across Andy’s cheeks—a blush that spread like wildfire.
“You’re such a cute little pet,” Matt said with affectionate mockery.
“Only in your twisted billionaire fantasy,” Andy shot back, sarcasm lacing every syllable. “Does your pet get treats for good behavior too?”
Matt chuckled softly. “Only the best.” Straightening up, he let his hand drop from Andy’s neck and took a step back. “We’re going out for dinner tonight,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Wear something nice.”
Without waiting for a response, Matt turned on his heel and strode toward the door, already mentally preparing for the work that awaited him.
Seven
ANDY
“Wear something nice?” I muttered to myself, the corners of my mouth lifting in a smirk. The idea was laughable. My wardrobe was a collection of functional basics, none of which would pass asnicein the high-roller world Matt inhabited. My entire life was stuffed into those two beaten duffel bags his goons hauled over earlier.
I was about to dive back into coding when the sleek new smartphone caught my eye. A surge of rebellion itched at my fingertips, urging me to smash this one against the wall too. But sanity prevailed. As much as destroying Matt’s fancy gifts would bring me petty satisfaction, I did need a working phone—not just for potential job leads, but to check in on Mia, although I could always contact her via email or WhatsApp, which we often did.
I picked up the phone and started punching in Mia’s numbers from memory, followed by Finley, my best friend, Ethan, Finley’s older brother who was like a brother to me, and of course, Sean’s and a few other contacts. Numbers had always stuck in my mind, a quirk that helped me take to coding like a duck to water when I started teaching myself through onlinetutorials. Programming was my lifeline, my path to clawing my way out of this mess and building something for myself.
I ran a hand across my throat, still feeling the ghost of Matt’s grip from earlier. The image of a dog collar flickered through my mind, and an involuntary shudder coursed through me. Shaking off the discomfort, I refocused on the screen before me, diving back into lines of code that offered a temporary escape.
Hours slipped by unnoticed until the buzz of the new phone snapped me back to reality. No prizes for guessing who it was: Matt, with his dinner summons.Get ready,the message read, as if I had an arsenal of outfits at my disposal.
A grunt of frustration escaped me. He wasn’t going to give me a moment’s peace, was he? Reluctantly, I closed my laptop and trudged to the bathroom. The hot water did little to wash away the tension coiled in my muscles.
Back in the bedroom, I stared at my limited wardrobe. Jeans and a shirt, same as always. If Matt had expected me to dress up like some doll for his amusement, he was going to be sorely disappointed. With deliberate defiance, I pulled on my usual clothes and ran a hand through my hair.
“Let’s see what Mr. High-and-Mighty thinks of this,” I muttered under my breath as I glanced at my reflection in the mirror.
At seven on the dot, as if the guy had a military timekeeper bolted to his spine, Matt walked through the door. He cast a look my way that pulled at the corners of his mouth in an annoying smirk. No words, just that smug expression as he sized up my less-than-fancy attire. It irked me that he didn’t comment, as if my choice of jeans and a shirt was exactly what he expected and it wasn’t worth acknowledging.
