AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why are you so scared of your father?” I asked, setting my eyes on hers, but she avoided my gaze.
She cleared her throat, looking down at her fingers, nervously playing with them again. “That’s… not something that should concern you.”
I inhaled heavily before moving closer to her, gently grabbed her hands, and cupped them in mine, caressing her long slender fingers, her skin so soft.
“I don’t know what happened between you and your father, and I respect that you’re not ready to tell me,” I said softly, and she cast her thick black lashes to meet my gaze. “But it’s evident that you live your life in the shadow of fear and the rules he set. That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”
I felt like a hypocrite telling her that she should live her life like she wanted to, not caring about the rules, while I myself had been living my whole life driven by vengeance, following the rules of our crime ring to one day take the reign. That moment with Melanie made me stop and wonder, was it how I wanted my life to look like? Was taking my father’s place in the dangerous world we lived in what I wanted? That was what I’d been prepared for, ever since I was born. But that was not what I chose myself. At the same time, I knew there was no escape. Not for me—my father’s oldest son, his rightful heir.
“I’ll cook something,” I said, figuring it would be best if we changed the topic.
“You?” She smirked, her tone somewhat sarcastic.
“Why? Can’t a man cook a tasty meal?” I teased, and she chuckled. Her luminous almond eyes brightened up.
“No, that’s not what I meant,” she said with an apologetic tone, her cheeks flushed red.
“It’s okay. I’m just teasing you.” I tried to dispel the shame in her. In some twisted way, I wanted to change that she was so shy and insecure. I tried to find that hidden within her self-confidence and unleash it, bring it to the surface. “Now come on, sit and relax while I make magic.” I winked at her flirtatiously, and she chuckled freely.
I took off the blazer and tossed it onto the high stool next to the kitchen island. I undid a few buttons of my white shirt and rolled up the sleeves. Melanie watched me as if mesmerized until our gazes locked, and she cupped her face in her hands, laughing.
“MMM, IT’S DELICIOUS.” Melanie purred like a kitten, chewing the first bite of sweet and spicy tofu served with vegetables I’d prepared.
She sat across the table, keeping her distance, and frankly, I was thankful for that. She had something in her that had awakened the wicked beast in me. I watched her licking the sauce that dripped down her luscious lips, barely keeping myself from kissing her. I had imagined how she would purr underneath me while I licked her sensitive skin. My breath quickened as I pictured devouring her, wondering what she tasted like. I shook my head, annoyed how this woman made my blood drain from my brain straight to my dick.
“Why aren’t you eating?” She wiped her lips, this time using a napkin. Thank God she hadn’t licked her lips as before because I wasn’t sure if I could tame my lust again. “You didn’t have to cook vegan if you don’t like vegan food.”
“I don’t mind,” I replied before clearing my throat, dispelling the lascivious thoughts consuming my mind. “So, are you a vegan? For how long?”
“I wouldn’t call myself a vegan.”
I raised my eyebrow, smiling. “Why did you ask if I have something vegan?”
“I like to eat healthily. However, I love seafood too much to give up on it completely. Hence, I wouldn’t label myself as a vegan.” She smiled, looking straight into my eyes. “More like a fan of a healthy lifestyle. I have some crazy rules I like to stick to regarding how I treat my body.”Oh, you have no idea how I would treat your body.
“Intriguing, Miss Atwood,” I said teasingly, taking a sip of red Bordeaux. “Tell me about those crazy rules.”
“No.” She smiled sheepishly. “I wouldn’t want to bore you.”
“You don’t bore me, Melanie. I insist.”
“Okay.” Her face brightened up.
I watched her talking about her habits with so much passion in her voice and glimmering sparks in her eyes. It was nice seeing her like this for a change. She told me she loved to start her day with a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon and porridge with fruits, then yoga, Pilates, or a run. No wonder she looked like a model, leading such a lifestyle.
WE KEPT CHATTING, joking, and flirting, and hours passed without us realizing it. It felt so new to me and refreshing to have such a connection with someone that made me forget about the crazy world around us. And most likely, the world went insane after she had disappeared from her engagement party.
“Shane?” she asked, slightly hesitant, her big brown eyes looking in my direction. “Could you please give me something to wear? I’m sick of this dress.”
“Of course,” I said quietly. “Although I have not been prepared for having a female in need of some comfy clothes, I can only offer you my shirt, and maybe I’ll find some shorts in which you won’t drown.”
She laughed softly. “A shirt will do.” She looked into my eyes, and suddenly her face went dark again.
“What is it?”
“May I…” She hesitated, her voice trembling. “Stay for the night?” Her eyes darted between mine as she awaited an answer.
“That was the plan,” I joked, hoping it would lighten the mood.
