Page 22 of Glorious Sinner

Fuck it. I didn’t even try and hide it. Stephanie knew I wanted her. I didn’t think her seeing the proof of just how much would come as any great surprise, and even if it did, I’d made up my mind not to hide how I felt for her. That included the way my body responded to hers.

Her eyes shot up to mine when she got an eyeful of my tented shorts.

I pretended like nothing out of the ordinary was happening, like she woke up in my house all the time, like both of us weren’t standing in my kitchen half dressed, me with an obvious hard-on and her with nipples so hard and tight I could see them through that fucking silky robe.

I crossed my arms and leaned a hip on the counter. “What do you feel like for breakfast?”

She swallowed, her slender throat working, “Umm…”

“Toast? Eggs? Oatmeal? Whatever you want just ask Arthur and he’ll make it for you.” I glanced at the clock. “He’ll be down shortly.”

I watched as she pulled herself together, as she straightened her shoulders and proceeded to look at anything but me.

“It’s fine,” she said to a spot over my shoulder. “I can make my own breakfast. I don’t want to put anyone out.”

“Steph…” Her gaze slid back to me then dipped to the front of my shorts again, and I silently groaned. I cleared my throat. “It’s his job, and he gets paid and paid well to do it.”

She chewed her lip. “It wouldn’t feel right.”

Get used to it, Angel. I’ll give you the world if you’ll let me.

I wanted to insist, get her used to the way I lived, but I shrugged instead. “Up to you. What do you have planned for today?”

“It’s my day off.” That green gaze did another dip then slid to my bicep. “So…yeah, I’m not sure.”

“Why don’t you take the day to settle in? Unpack your stuff, check out the house properly. There’s a gym downstairs, a games room. I want you to feel comfortable.” At home. I waited until I had her eyes back on mine. “No doors are barred or locked to you. My home is yours,” I said.

I waited for her to resist in some way, to ask when she could leave, anything, but instead she nodded, biting the side of her lip again.

I wanted to lick away the sting so bad I was sure I could taste her. I pushed away from the counter and moved toward the door and her. “I need to hit the shower. But if you need me for anything later, I’ll be in my office.” I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead, because after the night before, I sure as fuck didn’t want to take a backward step. Then I reluctantly walked out, leaving her to her breakfast.

Stephanie

The place was huge—large open rooms, five floors all his. And gorgeous.

I’d spent most of the afternoon looking around, not because Tomas told me to, but because I was extremely curious. He liked the finer things, antiques and fine art, but the living room we’d hung out in the night before had been cozier, decorated for comfort with a big couch and chairs, and a huge TV.

Both worked for him. He was like this Jekyll and Hyde character. Two different people. The ruthless businessman, the crime boss who ran this city, who did things that should scare me, bother me…but for some reason didn’t. Because I knew the other side to him: the boy who had worked construction, the protector, the gentle, patient, intense man who would do anything to protect me.

One side of him made me feel incredibly safe.

The other made me feel human again.

I pulled my phone—my new phone—from my pocket to check the time. I’d found it outside my bedroom door this morning with a simple note stuck to it that said: To replace your old one.

I had no idea what he’d done with it, but everything had been transferred to this one, all my photos and contacts, everything important, but with a new phone number. Some would think it was heavy handed, maybe even an invasion of privacy, but I knew it was just another way Tomas was trying to protect me from Ryan. I couldn’t be mad at him for that.

I hit the top of the stairs on the third floor and knew where I was instantly. This was Tomas’s domain. This was where his bedroom was—where he slept.

The main clue was the lingering scent of the soap he used. I should have kept going up to the next floor, walked away, but that curiosity of mine wouldn’t let up and I pushed open the first door. It was another office, smaller, more compact. I imagined him coming in here late at night, everything he needed close at hand when he had to do business.

I didn’t walk in, even though he said no rooms were barred to me. It didn’t feel right. I shouldn’t be going into any of his private rooms, but I carried on to the next door. A bathroom. The next was empty. At the end of the hall I pushed open the door, my heart racing faster.

The room was huge.

There was a big bed against the far wall, with a massive window behind it. The duvet and pillows were navy and there were dark wood bedside tables either side and a dresser opposite. There was also another tall cupboard with double doors. I moved deeper into the room. His scent was stronger in here, and I breathed in deeply before I realized what I was doing.

The charcoal carpet was soft under my feet as I moved closer to the bed. How many women had he had in this room? How many had shared this bed with him?