Page 59 of My Favorite Kidnapper

“You should have woken me up,” I replied, relief racing through me.

“I kept you up most of the night. You needed your sleep.”

“Oh,” I squeaked.

“You were incredible, Little Bee. Thank you for your gift. I’m honored,” he murmured, lifting my hand and kissing it. “Last night was…” He trailed off. “It just was. I have no words.”

I could only nod. He entwined our fingers. “Now, come and eat. Your supplies will arrive this morning, and I want a cake tonight. Plus, I think we should have an early night.” He winked at me, looking handsome and sexy. His eyes were heated and intense. I loved it when he looked at me that way.

I followed him, my heart suddenly lighter. He still wanted me. Wanted this.

“My sixty days of cakes begins today, then,” I said.

He squeezed my hand. “I look forward to them.”

Strangely enough, sixty unexpectedly seemed like too small a number, but I forced a smile. “Me too.”

* * *

It felt odd having breakfast like normal, when nothing felt normal to me. Mario came into the kitchen to tell Dante the crew would be coming to fix the lights outside and add the features they discussed. At my quizzical look, Dante shrugged.

“Last night will never happen again. Extra lights and backups are being added and more motion sensors. And I’m looking at a fence for the pool.”

“I doubt what happened last night will ever occur again. You don’t need a fence.”

He leaned forward and kissed the end of my nose. “Not taking a chance.”

He was affectionate and sweet during breakfast. Relaxed. He touched me often, tutting when I didn’t finish my food, sliding his chair closer and hand-feeding me bites of omelet and adding jam to my croissant to tempt me. I felt his eyes on me, and every time I looked at him, his focus was on me.

“Do you regret last night?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“Not at all.”

“You’re uncomfortable with me this morning. No lip, no smiles.” He sat straighter. “Did I hurt you? Was it too much? You’re so small, and I got carried away—”

I cut him off. “No. I’m fine.” I sighed. “I feel different this morning. Last night was…intense. I’m not sure what it meant or if I should act differently. If you want it again…” I trailed off at the shocked look on his face.

He shifted closer, taking my hands. “Listen to me, Little Bee. Last night meant a great deal to me. I know it was your first time and you’re grappling with different emotions than I am, but trust me, I want you in my bed tonight. Tomorrow. As to how I want you to act, just be my little bee. Mouthy, funny, and sweet. I like it when you tell me off. Most people wouldn’t dare. I like everything about you, okay? So I just want you to be you.”

I stared at him.

“You’re the worst kidnapper in the entire world, you know that? You’re supposed to frighten me, keep me chained up, and order me around. Not say such sweet things to me and do what you did last night when we, ah, when we…”

He grinned. “When we what?”

“That’s the thing. I don’t know. Made love? Had sex? Um, frolicked?”

He barked out a shout of laughter. “Frolicked? You mean fucked?”

“I don’t use that word.”

“It’s just a word.”

I shook my head.

“I’ll get you to say it, Bee.”

Gia walked in, interrupting us. “There is a delivery. A large one.”