I chuckle. “You do know I’m the responsible one,” I remind her.
“I know, but you’re also your father’s son. So, again, don’t do anything fucking stupid to scare her off.”
“Like having my mother appear in the kitchen the day after I met her?” I snort.
“Yes, like that.” Mom smiles and then walks out the door.
Chapter Eight
Ipinch my arm. Because surely, I’m dreaming. I did not wake up in the home belonging to a freaking god of a man who just said he wants to cook me breakfast. I’m trying not to hyperventilate at the fact Neo’s mother told him to bring meto family dinner. Obviously, that’s not happening, but that can be his problem to tell her. Not mine.
Neo struts back into the kitchen—yes, struts is the only way I can describe the way he walks in. Sweatpants hung low on his hips and absolutely nothing covering the top half of his body. My mouth waters at the sight. All hard muscle decorated with tattoos.
“How many hours a week do you spend in the gym?” I blurt out, because to be as toned as he is, it has to be a lot.
Neo’s lips tilt up the side of his mouth. “A bit. You like working out?”
I snort. “I’m allergic to any and all forms of exercise.”
“Well, fuck, that’s a shame,” he says.
“Why?”
Neo leans in. I don’t move back, even though I want to. I force myself to stay still. “Because that body of yours was made for fucking,solnishko, and that happens to be the most fun form of exercise,” he says before stepping aside.
My mouth drops open.Did he seriously just say that to me?
I get it. I’m not stupid. A man does not just help a woman out of the kindness of his heart. He expects payment, in the form of her body. I’ve been getting comfortable with him, letting my guard down a little. I’ve been a fucking idiot.
“Now, what would you like for breakfast?” Neo asks.
“What?” Now he’s talking about food? He just said he wanted to fuck me and now he wants to feed me?
“Breakfast. You need to eat.” Neo opens the fridge, and I get a view of his back. This is my chance. I can make it to the front door before he even knows I’m gone. Without thinking twice, I’m off the stool and running.
I miscalculated, because I don’t even make it halfway before a pair of strong arms wraps around my body and I’m lifted off the ground.
“No, stop! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I won’t run again. Please stop!” My hands automatically cover my face, trying to lessen the blows I’m sure are coming my way.
“Whoa,solnishko. It’s okay.” Neo walks through the house, and then he’s settling me down on the sofa and squatting in front of me. He takes hold of my hands and pulls them aside. “What happened?”
“Please… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to run. I just… I won’t do it again.” It’s a lie, but if it will appease him, I’ll make it believable.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Caitlyn,” he says. But that’s what they all say. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. What did I do that scared you so much you thought you had to run?”
“Nothing. You didn’t do anything,” I tell him.
“Okay, I’ll wait.” He stands and then sits on the sofa opposite me.
I don’t know how long we’ve been doing this, staring at each other, but I can’t look away. He’s seriously just sitting there. Not doing anything. Not saying anything. The sound of his phone snaps me out of my stupor.
“Your phone is ringing,” I announce.
“Whoever it is can wait. I’m talking to you right now,” he replies.
Except we’re not talking. We’re just staring at each other. And sometimes, that’s worth more than words. Because the way he’s looking at me, with so much patience and kindness… I’ve never seen that in a man before. It makes me want to believe he’s different. Again, I’d be stupid to trust that.
“We can do this all day, Caitlyn. Or you can just tell me what I did to fuck up and scare you, so I can fix it,” he says.
