Page 61 of The Monster and the Masochist

No way I was letting her disappear for a whole week.

“No, actually, I was going to have my assistant send over some movers to your place as soon as possible. Ideally tomorrow.”

Theo blinked at me, looking adorably baffled.

“What?” she managed to get out, and I smirked, pleased that for once I seemed to be the one throwing her off balance.

“You’re obviously moving in. We’re fake engaged. Nolan’s probably already run his fat mouth at work about this, and there’s a possibility the press might come by looking for a chance to interview my new fake fiancée. It would be weird if you weren’t already living here.”

“I… I’m moving in? Here?” Her eyes were bulging slightly, and a sick sense of satisfaction swirled deep in my gut at how flabbergasted she was.

“Yes. As I said, ideally tomorrow.”

“Cass, that’s…” Her mouth opened and closed twice as she tried to figure out how to respond.

I just raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Are you arguing with me, Theodora?” I asked, and she shook her head, eyes still uncharacteristically wide.

“No. No, I’m not… I just… I wasn’t expecting that.” She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, and I grinned at how pink her cheeks were. “Uhm. Alright. I guess. Let me know when the movers are coming. I’m with Jerry until two, but I can try and get as much stuff packed as possible once I’m back home.”

“Good,” I preened, pleased that I was getting my way.

And so easily, too.

“I guess we can figure out everything else after, like rent and shit? How much do you pay for this place anyway?”

I scoffed.

“Like I’m going to make you pay rent, Theodora. You’re doing this as a favor for me. This is just part of the arrangement.”

Theo frowned, her lips pursing.

“Yeah. Right. A favor. I just… I can at least cover groceries or something –”

“Goodnight, Theodora. I’ll have my assistant email you the details. Please text me when you’re home safe.”

I said that last bit in my lawyer voice, making it clear that the home safe text was an expectation, not a request.

Theo literally shivered before me, and the monster that lived inside me purred at the soft look of submission that crossed her face.

Interesting.

Interesting and dangerous.

Theo swallowed and nodded, looking more like a terrified rabbit than the calm, cool, fox-like version of herself she normally presented to the world.

She hovered for a moment, and when her gaze fell to my lips, I realized she wasn’t sure how to say goodbye after everything that had happened on the couch.

I suppose this was sort of a grey area. We weren’t actually together… but, if we were going to put on a show, we might as well start acting like we were.

Giving her a slow smile, I raised my hand and gently tapped my lips with my index finger.

Theo’s eyes darted up to meet mine, and her mouth parted slightly.

I guess I was just full of surprises today.

“Give me a kiss, Theodora,” I ordered, and a rush of dopamine flooded through me at how easily she just… obeyed.