It takes only a few minutes to dry off the areas Riven was respectful to avoid and slide into the silk. It fits perfectly, almost like it was made for me, though I’m sure that’s impossible. The fabric brushes softly over my skin as I return to the bedroom, sinking down onto the edge of the mattress, unsure of where to wait.
The door opens again as Riven enters, but this time he has a tray balanced on one hand. A look of desire ignites his features as soon as his gaze sweeps over me, lingering on my exposed legs.
It’s not lewd, but it is entirely possessive, like he alone is allowed to memorize how I look in these clothes.
He breaks the moment, crossing the room to place the tray next to me. My stomach growls again, louderthis time, and a faint smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.
“Eat.” He gestures toward the food, stepping back and placing his hands behind his back.
I shift forward and reach for the tray but glance back to him as I feel the heavy weight of his eyes tracking my every move.
“Can you at least sit with me?” I ask as my hand lifts the lid over the plate.
A prime rib sandwich, thick and still steaming, sits between two slices of toasted bread. A small bowl of roasted vegetables sits beside it and there’s a chilled glass of water on the tray as well.
“I suppose,” he mumbles before sitting on the edge of the bed, his posture tight and coiled, as if he can’t allow himself to relax as I lift the sandwich to my mouth.
My first bite has a moan falling from my lips. The richness of the flavor is unlike anything I’ve experienced. It’s decadent and savory, layered with a buttery sweetness I can’t name. My eyes flutter closed as I chew in utter delight.
When I open them again, Riven stands across the room again.
He watches me still, but now his hands are curled into tight fists at his side. The muscles and veins of his forearms bunch with the restraint he exhibits.
I swallow and tilt my head at him, unable to stopmyself from prodding. “Do you always get so worked up watching people eat? I imagine that creates a lot of awkward scenarios with vampire feedings.”
I take another bite, slower this time as I savor the flavor, and wipe my fingers with the napkin folded beside the plate.
“Yes,” he grits through a forced smile, dishing back my sarcasm in a heaping dose. “It’s a fetish of mine. Can you suck on the roasted carrot for me? I’d love that image to file away for later.”
I roll my eyes playfully and swallow.
“This is seriously amazing, though,” I admit. “Whoever prepared this outdid themselves.”
“I wanted someone who could cook the things you might love, so I hired a private human chef for you,” he admits with a shrug. “I have him teaching me as he prepares the meals, in hopes that I can provide directly for you.”
His confession shouldn’t make my heart feel like a puddle in my chest, but suddenly the food is forgotten, my mind turned to the singular thought of how kind that is.
Not only did he ensure I would have everything I needed that isn’t readily available in vampire territory, but he also wants to be able to give me that himself.
It’s clear he can afford to pay someone to do such menial tasks, so I know it’s rooted in the labor itself.
I finish the sandwich in silence,aware of every second he remains perfectly still across the room, drinking in every movement of my hands, every shift of my expression. He doesn’t speak again, not until I set the tray aside with a quiet breath and curl my legs beneath me on the bed.
Then he strides forward and lifts the tray effortlessly, disappearing. I quickly slip to the bathroom to brush my teeth, and when I pad back to the room, he’s back and leaning against the door.
“Get under the covers, darling,” he commands.
There’s something about his confidence that makes me halt and cross my arms against my chest. “What if I want to sleep in a different bed?”
He huffs out a succinct laugh. “Then we can sleep in any of the beds in this mansion, darling. We can even try them all out one at a time if it pleases you.”
I lift a single brow, barely containing the laughter desperately wanting to burst from me. “You know that I meant a bed without you in it.”
He cocks his head to the side, striding over to me slowly and full of his usual grace. His body towers over mine and I resist the urge to step back so I don’t have to crane my head back.
All of my mirth is gone in an instant, replaced with a tremble of need building within as he says, “We both know that I’m aware of your every need, given the quickening of your pulse right now.”
My lips part with a sharp inhale.
