“I’m going to start working in my office. It’s the room on the other side of the guest room.” He pauses to fasten his watch, then adjusts his tie. “I know you usually sleep during the day, so I’ll leave you alone until this afternoon, even though?—”
His phone rings, cutting him off mid-sentence. He looks down at his watch. “Shit. I have a conference call in five minutes.”
He leans in, kisses my cheek again, then rushes out of the room.
I stand there for what feels like hours before I move on autopilot back to the guest room. I’m exhausted and should sleep before my shift, but rest won’t come. Everything that happened last night and this morning comes flooding back all at once.
Fuck.
Gino is probably going to murder both Mateo and me for sleeping together. He asked for Mateo to be there to take care of me—not totake care of me.
After contemplating how I’ll probably be killed by my own brother, no less, I finally fall asleep.
SIXTEEN
MATEO
I work nonstop for almost twelve hours. Phone calls with other attorneys, emails to developers and businessmen, Zoom calls as I try to close as many deals as I can. Somehow, I still glance toward the bathroom that adjoins my office and the room Vanessa is in at least fifteen times.
I don’t realize how late it is until a soft knock sounds at my door. It’s nearly eight at -
When I open the door, the scent of lavender hits me instantly. Then I see exactly where it’s coming from. A beautiful redhead stands there in light blue scrubs, her hair piled into a messy bun on top of her head.
“Hey,” Vanessa says, breaking the silence.
“Hey. Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was so late.”
“It’s alright. I actually had a question,” she says. “My shift doesn’t start for a few more hours, but I need to make some food for work. Do you mind if we go to my apartment so I can grab what I prepped?”
“You can use thefood I have here.”
“Uh—I don’t want to take your food, Mateo.” Hearing my name on her lips sounds dangerously perfect.
“I promise I never use all of it anyway.”
“Okay. I’ll make you something too, since it looks like you haven’t left this room in hours.”
I give her a soft smile. “I have a few more things to finish, but I shouldn’t be much longer.”
Closing the door, I head over to my desk and sink into my chair. My mind immediately drifts to those light blue scrubs and how perfect she looked in them. They fit her body, her curves, like they were made for her. Seeing her standing there makes me realize how little I’ve ever cared about what a woman was wearing.
I am one and done. I don’t do dates. I don’t do breakfast. I don’t do any of that shit. But with Vanessa, it feels… right. I tell myself it’s because of the marriage contract looming over us, because that explanation is easier to accept.
Forcing my thoughts away from Vanessa, I turn back to my work and push through the last few emails I need to answer. It’s useless. The constant awareness of her out in the kitchen has me hard, the pressure growing uncomfortable against my pants.
About half an hour later, I leave my office. The smell of food hits me instantly, my stomach grumbling in response. I lean against the wall and take her in from behind, the graceful curve of her neck, the soft pull of her hourglass figure as she moves.
Not wanting to disturb her, I step back into my room and quietly shut the door. After a long day, all I want is a beer and the TV on low, but I know tonight isn’t the night for that. I change into jeans and a gray T-shirt, my thoughts drifting the moment I’m alone.
How do I tell her we’re supposed to get married?
Will she hate me?
Will she run?
Or will she not care at all and stay?
After a few minutes, I leave my room and head into the kitchen, once again finding myself focused on her as she cooks with her back to me. She turns, offers me a soft smile, and I can’t help but return it. I step forward, grab a glass, and fill it with water.
