Chapter Eighteen
The following morning,Breanna woke with a start. At first she was disoriented, and when she glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand, panic set in.I overslept. I’m going to be so late for work.Her heart raced, but then she remembered the previous night and she smiled. It wasn’t a work day; it was Sunday, so she could sleep in and cuddle with Steel.How delicious.The way he touched and brought her body to ecstasy was seared on her mind and skin.
Licking her lips, she rolled over to cuddle next to him, but his space was empty and cold. With a dazed look, she stared at the empty spot. A sudden chill hit at her core, replacing the warm, cozy feeling she’d experienced a few minutes earlier. Silence engulfed her.
She sat up and turned to the bathroom; the door was wide open and the light switched off.That bastard took off on me!Her face flushed.What an idiot I was, giving myself to him again. He must really think I’m a fool.She clutched at her stomach and squeezed her eyes tightly, willing herself not to cry.That’s the last time he makes an ass out of me. I’llneverhave anything to do with him.She picked up her phone and called Jorge.
“Hi, Breanna. Are you calling to see if I need you tonight?”
“No. I hate to do this to you, but I’ve got to quit. It’s not working out.”
She heard him blow out a long breath.
“Is it because of Steel? I picked up on your feelings for him.”
“I don’t have any feelings for him. It’s not about Steel. I’m too busy at work right now and I can’t handle the part-time job anymore. I guess I bit off more than I could chew.”
“You didn’t mention anything about it on Friday.”
“I’m sorry, Jorge. It’s just not working anymore. I gotta go.” She hung up and dragged herself to the bathroom. She cursed herself for being pulled in by Steel’s charms. The previous night she’d let her guard down because he was acting like she was special, but in the end, she’d ended up being just another woman he fucked.Asshole.
When she came out of the bathroom, her hair damp from her shower, the aroma of cardamom and coffee tantalized her.What the fuck? Is Nicholas here?Then she wondered if the house was on fire. She threw on a white T-shirt over her jean shorts and dashed out of the room, running to the kitchen. She stopped short when she saw Steel at the stove, cracking eggs into a frying pan. On the side of the stove, tortillas bubbled on a grill she’d forgotten she had. In another skillet, chorizo sizzled.
“What the hell’s going on?” she said.
Steel turned around and winked at her, a sweet smile curling his lips. “I’m making you breakfast. Grab a cup of coffee and have a seat. I had to go to the grocery store because you didn’t have shit in your fridge. What the hell do you eat, woman?”
“Mostly frozen stuff. I thought you’d gone.”
He scrunched his face and waved the spatula he had in his hand. “Why the fuck would you think I’d leave without telling you?” She shrugged and looked down. He laughed and came over, kissing her lips gently. “You look beautiful.” He walked back to the stove. “I’m making the eggs over easy. I hope you eat them that way.”
She sat down and watched him in amazement. “I do. I’m kinda speechless right now. No one’s ever made me breakfast before. My mom stopped cooking for us when I was like eight years old.” Her stomach grumbled and he chuckled. “I’m glad my pans are finally being put to use. I’ve never used the griddle. I don’t really cook.”
His eyes widened. “You don’t know how to cook? I wouldn’t have guessed that by all the shit you have in your kitchen.”
She smiled. “I like theideaof me being a cook, but I never was very good at it. Boxed meals, spaghetti, beans, and rice were pretty much our staples when I was growing up. My mom rarely cooked, and when she did it was always processed stuff.”
“I gotta get you on a different path, woman.” He opened her cupboard.
She leapt up. “Let me set the table.” She went over to him and ducked under his arms.
He wrapped his arms around her midriff and nuzzled her neck. “You smell good, baby.”
His unshaved face scratched against her skin and she giggled. “Thanks for doing all this. I appreciate you.”
His hands cupped her breasts and he massaged them. “You can show me how much after we eat.” He drew her closer to him and rubbed against her, his hardness jutting out. “Feel what you do to me, woman?”
She leaned her head back against his chest and craned her neck. He lowered his head and pressed his mouth against hers. His tongue pushed through the seams of her lips and plunged in, and they kissed deeply until she moved her face away. “I should get the plates down.” He chuckled and then moved away while she took out two colorful stoneware plates and matching mugs. He poured her a cup of coffee.
She sipped it. “I love the addition of the cardamom. I never would’ve thought of it.”
“I had it like this at an Indian restaurant I went to when I was in Denver one time with Hawk and Throttle. I flipped for it. I don’t drink it like that very often, but I wanted to see if you liked it. You strike me as someone who likes the exotic.” He winked.
After a scrumptious breakfast, Breanna started to clean up. “I could get used to this,” she joked as she placed the dishes in the dishwasher. “How did you get back in the house after you went to the grocery store? I didn’t give you a key.”
“I don’t need a key. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“You know, I’m enjoying riding on your Harley. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a motorcycle. I forgot how much I love the feel of the wind whipping around me. How freeing it is. I love how it makes me feel like I’m flying.” She looked up from the sink and met his intense gaze. “What? Why’re you looking like that at me?”
