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It wouldn’t always be that way. I couldn’t handle going from one set of chains to another.
I anticipated finding high heels and even a girlie hat in the bag, but I was thrilled how wrong I was. Flip-flops, tennis shoes, jeans, shorts, and two tee shirts.
I knew instantly what the man was doing.
Testing me.
As I pulled everything from the bag, I realized my smile was natural, a moment of slight happiness replacing the uncertainty.
Sevastian had a way of surprising me.
I laid the items on the bed, happy my stomach was growling once again when I heard a whistle coming from outside the window. While it could be one of several employees calling for the other, a strange sense of knowing prickled my skin. I moved to the doors, sweeping onto the veranda and peering over the iron railing.
He stood on the ground below, his suit jacket tossed over one shoulder, his shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest. Wearing dark shades and a sly grin, in the sparkling sunlight he appeared like a beacon, a godlike creature beckoning for me. My nipples immediately tightened, my heart racing. Whether or not I liked the way my body reacted around him didn’t stop the dazzling sensations tearing through me.
“I see a mysterious stranger calling me. Pray tell, what do you want?”
He laughed, the deep, throaty sound keeping shivers coursing through me. “That’s a very loaded question,printsessa. I suggest you consider what the answer might be. Therefore, I’ll caution you. Never ask questions you don’t want to know the truthful answers to.”
“I never do anything without full intention. And usually, I get my way. By the way, you’re a little bit overdressed for the tropical weather.”
Shaking his head, he took a deep breath, the light breeze shifting hair into his face. “I’m planning on taking care of that. Get dressed, my sweet. I have a surprise for you. I’ll be downstairs waiting.”
There was a little thrill that jetted inside of me, a moment like a kid on Christmas Eve. My mother had always been the instigator of fabulous family gatherings, keeping the Italian traditions alive. Every room in the house had been decorated, lights glistening from every tree outside. She and my grandmama had created masterpieces of delicious foods, pastries and desserts, five-course meals surrounding Christmas.
And the presents had been incredible, expensive trinkets to keep us entertained. Even once my father had dressed up like Santa Claus. It had been the single year it appeared he’d enjoyed himself thoroughly. After that year, business had always gotten in the way. I didn’t realize it until now that I’d mourned the loss of traditions.
I remained at the railing, admiring his strong physique as he started to walk away. Then he turned, lifting his head toward me once again, removing his sunglasses. Even from the distance, there was no mistaking his desire. I took a deep breath, my still swollen nipples shifting back and forth across the thin material of the robe. He certainly knew how to make an entrance.
After grabbing clothes, I took a shower, lingering but for so long. I found another basket of treats in the bathroom including makeup and other toiletries. He’d tried to think of everything. Once dressed, I glanced into the mirror, staring at my reflection. I certainly wasn’t the same girl I’d been only days before. It was true what I’d read about the effects of hot, wet sex. I was glowing.
I moved down the stairs, encouraged by the sound of women chattering. As I passed by the kitchen, the scents of some delicious food being prepared reminded me how hungry I remained. I stood watching them for a few seconds. Everything seemed so normal, as if this was a typical house in a wealthy family, not employees of a ruthless man capable of horrible acts.
Maybe I’d forgotten that everyone needed nourishment and sleep, relaxation and downtime. Perhaps it was because my father always seemed to be on edge. At least my mother had attempted to make our lives somewhat normal. If I ever had children, I’d ensure that they were allowed to grow up experiencing the typical life of a child.
What was I thinking? Children? I wasn’t the motherly type. Not for one second.
I moved through the house, searching every room then realizing he was probably in his office. As soon as I walked down the hallway, I heard music coming from a partially open door. That was just another surprise in a long list of them.
Remaining quiet, I pushed open the door, pressing my hand across my mouth to keep from giggling. Sevastian was inside, standing a few feet away from his desk. His choice of music was fascinating, lilting Spanish guitar. I would have expected heavy metal music or maybe hard-core rock, but this? That wasn’t the reason I did everything I could to keep from bursting into laughter.
He’d removed his shirt and had changed from dark gray trousers to faded blue jeans, his feet bare. Since he had his back to me, I was able to study the beautiful dragon tattoo that covered a good portion of his skin. The creation was beautiful, but the red eye was haunting, dramatic.
And very dangerous in appearance.
For some reason, the sight of it gave me shivers. What caused the most disbelief was that he was in the process of ironing, the cheap ironing board like something you’d purchase in a hardware store. He was even humming to the music.
Who was this man and where did the brutal monster go?
I leaned against the doorway, remaining fascinated. He couldn’t have looked any sexier than he did at this moment. His hair remained tousled from the wind, his muscles teeming, the thick denim material riding his rounded ass perfectly. He was the very reason tight jeans had been made. Whew.
When he turned, moving the shirt in another direction, another curiosity finally allowed a laugh to escape.
He was ironing a tee shirt. I glanced down at mine quickly. It was slightly wrinkled.
Stopping in mid-action, he lifted the iron as he stared at me. I could swear he was embarrassed at being caught. Then he swept his eyes all the way to my brand new tennis shoes. I expected admonishment, but he smiled.
“Excellent choice in clothes,” he said, the tone dripping with sexual tension.
