I gestured to where the sticky ropes dripped down me. “I need to wash this off.”
“Go ahead.” His smirk widened. “But we’ll both know you’re wearing my mark.”
He stepped around me, grabbing the towel that hung on the rack. I stood there, helplessly turned on, and watched him slip into the bedroom.
I can’t do that.
Need pulsed between my legs. But I said that I wanted a truce.
Head held high, I followed him into the space. I plucked the sweatshirt that lay across the pillow and pulled it over my head. That dark gaze was a physical caress as it watched me.
Tomorrow, I would shower and wash the hoodie.
For tonight, I would wear his mark.
Wearing nothing else, I crawled onto the bed and sat cross-legged. Only then did I find the courage to meet his gaze. Vincenzo stared at me as if I were the most incredible creature on planet earth.
I stared right back. The towel hung low on his hips. A flick of the knot and it would fall.
“Sorry, I was going to grab some clothes and be gone before you came, but the cat was hacking up furballs,” Vincenzo said, referencing our earlier conversation. The one where he said this could be my haven, and he would give me space.
I didn’t want that.
If I hadn’t been so upset, I would have realized it sooner.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” I clasped my hands on my lap. “Truly, I mean it. I wasn’t thinking straight today.”You have that effect on me.
Vincenzo nodded. “I’ll just grab my things and go.”
My chest fell. I didn’t want that. Honestly, I wanted to erase this fight.
Stretching my legs over the side of the bed, I ran my palms over my thighs. “Look, this is your place. I don’t want to kick you out. Can we find a way to coexist here? For however long I’m staying?”
His gaze heated.
I fought back a shiver that raced down my spine.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?”
I nodded. “I’m not your enemy. I’m just….”Lost.
He understood. Of course he did! This man knew me better than any other human.
“I have some things to deal with on the streets. It will take a few days. But when they’re done, I’ll text you and see if you still want me to come back.”
Time. Space. An opportunity to heal.
To the world, this man was a monster. For me? He was a dark angel. I felt as though I could bask in the soft warmth of his shadow forever.
“That sounds like a good plan,” I said, words low and raw. “And thank you. Thank you for offering me a safe place to stay.”
“Always.” He walked past me, stopping abruptly. His fingers brushed the sleeve of the hoodie. “That’s mine.”
I bit my lip and nodded. “I don’t have many clothes.”
“Looks better on you,” he added. “Take whatever you find around here. It’s yours if you want it.”
My cheeks heated. That little voice in my brain included him in the offer. “Be safe out there.”
