I familiarize myself with the suite.The overly lavish bathroom, the comfortable bed, the wall of books and maps in the seating area—all of it.I allow myself a long, overly indulgent shower in the hopes it might relax me.Or reinvigorate me.I’m not sure it does either, but the shower itself is wonderful.I wrap myself in a fluffy robe because I have no clean clothes to change into and curl up with one of the old romance novels I find on the built-in shelving unit, opting to take my mind entirely off the situation for a little while.
I’m not sure how long it is before the words blur or when sleep comes over me.Only that I wake to the unmistakable aroma of coffee, bacon, and something sweet that makes my mouth water.My stomach rumbles even as I blink my eyes open.
I’m in bed, still wrapped in the fluffy robe, with the comforter tucked so tightly around me it almost feels like a hug.It’s obscenely comfortable, in fact.A bit too warm, though.
Then Mateo leans into view and clicks on the bedside light, illuminating the darkened room, and the warmth in his smile as he looks down at me threatens to shatter me.Tears burn behind my eyes, and he hasn’t said a word.
My throat swells as my mouth opens.
He brushes some hair from my face with a light touch.“I think you slept even harder than I did,” he says, something like a faint laugh lifting his tone.“Since you were so exhausted, I thought you might appreciate a little breakfast in bed.”He moves out of sight for a moment, something clinks, and then he’s back—holding a tray of food and a mug with steam still wafting gently from the surface.“But you’ll have to sit up.”
I shove upright so quickly my robe falls open, exposing far too much of my chest.I don’t even realize it until his gaze drops and his eyes darken.
The air charges between us.
I don’t dislike the way he’s looking at me.I already know I enjoy the way he kisses me.But my stomach refuses to let me forget that I skipped dinner, so I quickly adjust to make myself decent and pretend I’m not as bright as a tomato.“I—My clothes were dirty.”I fold the comforter over my lap.“That smells amazing.What are we eating?”
Chapter Fourteen
Mateo
Among Predators
Her question rattlesaround in my brain, and all I want to say is ‘you.’But she needs to eat, and I need to stop thinking with my dick.She is here, and she is safe.If I keep myself in check, she will choose to stay, and eventually her walls will come down and let me in.
But breakfast should not sound like sex.
But every hum from Harlow’s lips as she eats beside me on the bed drives nails into my control.She sits cross-legged, her hair falling in waves around her, wearing nothing but that damn robe that keeps slipping open bit by bit.The fork scrapes against the plate, and she takes another bite, moaning low in her throat.
Fuck.My mind keeps returning to the glimpse of full, milky breasts from earlier, and I clench my fist to keep from reaching for her.
I shift where I sit, my jeans suddenly too tight.The mattress dips as she leans forward for another mouthful, and all I can think about is her lips wrapped around something else.My something else.
She doesn’t even realize what she’s doing to me.Every sound vibrates down my spine like a promise.Every flick of her tongue over her fork has me imagining her on her knees, tongue on my cock instead.
I clench my fists in the blanket, trying to ground myself.She deserves more than to be devoured when she’s not ready.She deserves time.Patience.But patience has never been my strong suit, and I have waited a lifetime for her.My cock leaks precum into my jeans as I breathe deep, trying to think of anything else.