Scanning the leftovers, I realise I haven’t thought this through. I should’ve done a grocery shop or something before bringing her here. “Do you like cheese? I can do you a grilled cheese toastie.”
She shuffles on her feet, clutching her bag. “Wow. You know how to wine and dine a girl.” Her lips pull tight to stifle a laugh.
“Hey, you haven’t tried my grilled cheese yet. It’s the crème de la crème of all grilled cheese sandwiches paired with a glass of the white stuff. It’s the chef’s kiss.”
“White stuff? White wine?”
I pull a bottle of milk from the fridge. “Cow’s Milk.”
A smile breaks free, like breaking the ice. “Sounds nice. Can I take a shower?”
“Sure. I’ll get you some spare clothes, too.” I lead her down the hall to the en suite shower room attached to my brother’s bedroom. “You can sleep here tonight.”
She scans the dull—almost un-lived in—black and grey room. “Is this your room?”
“My room is opposite. I mean, I’m not going to protest if you want to share a bed with me.”
“No, this is perfectly fine. Thank you.”
“I’ll leave some of my clothes on the bed for you.”
“Thank you.” She spins in her red heels before entering the en suite. “Dom.”
I stop in the doorway of the bedroom.
“Why are you helping me?”
“I have my reasons. If anyone’s going to chase you, Red, it’s going to be me.” I turn away and head to my room, looking for some spare clothes.
The sound of the shower pelting against the porcelain mimics my heart pounding against my ribs. Every limb wants to tear down the door and join her under the water and fuck her till she knows I’m the only man she’ll ever have to fear. She’ll never need to run from anyone again but me. I’ll tear down anyone who dares to cause her harm.
From now on, anyone who hurts her hurts me. And nobody hurts me and gets away with it. I take a deep inhale of nicotine, hoping to calm my quickening pulse. The cherry flares, matching the flare of anger in my eyes. I’ll make sure whoever dares to cross my woman will pay.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s mine.
6
POPPY
“Ihate to admit it, but this cheese toastie is pretty good.” I wash it down with a glass of milk.
Dom folds his open toastie in half and bites into it, the cheese stringing from his lips. “Told you,” he mumbles, chewing down the bread.
His eyes glide over my chest covered in his t-shirt. Heat claws at my neck when he looks at me like that. My long damp red hair hangs limp down my back, making sure I’m not going for the wet t-shirt look again.
I gulp down another bite as his eyes scan my bottom half covered in his boxer shorts, only they’re more like boxer briefs on me as they cling to my chunky thighs. I pull the hem of his t-shirt down, covering my belly, though it’s clear he likes what he sees as he devours me with his gaze.
“You can’t hide from me, little fox.” He has a sly grin, taking another bite. Few people have called me little before. I’m not exactly small, but the words rolling off his tongue do something to my insides. Unless this cheese is off. My stomach is a churning mess. An internal fight of lust and common sense.
It’s incredibly late, but he’s clearly a nocturnal creature, much like myself. Usually after a long shift, I need to wind down. Though it’s hard to relax under his heated stare. I don’t feel threatened with him. It’s much worse. I’m vulnerable and not in control of my own body. Scared of what I’ll get myself into. Although it’s probably too late.
“Thanks for the food. I’m going to retire.” I stand and slide the stool under the counter.
He nods. “You have everything you need?”
“Well, I don’t have a toothbrush.” I shuffle on my feet, tugging on the hem of his t-shirt as his eyes rake over my body.
After a pause, he clears his throat. “There should be some spares in the bathroom cupboard.”
