Page 15 of Romancing His Heart

“Handsome, huh?”

“I always call it as I see it, Loki.”

“Good to know, Red. Really good to know.” His smile is genuine, but he regards me cautiously. He’s calculated in a way I’ve never encountered, and it makes me nervous. Tapping my middle finger to my thumb, I wait until he’s settled in bed before stepping back.

“Why are you nervous, Red?”

“Who said I’m nervous?”

Holding up his hand, he models my nervous habit, tapping his middle finger’s pad with the tip of his thumb.His huge fucking thumb. Immediately, I tuck my thumbs into my fists. I don’t answer him; I just stare. Not the shifty, eye to eye kind of stare. The straight ahead, no hesitation, I can see right into your soul kind.

“Okie dokie,” I say, clasping my hands in front of myself. “Are you hungry? I’m not going to lie, I’m a terrible cook, but I order take out like a Michelin star chef.”

Cocking his head to the right, he continues to study me until I fidget and glance over my shoulder. “Is that a yes?”

“You can’t wait to get out of this room.” It’s not a question. It’s like he knows I’m a runner.

“You’re funny, but I’ve got some writing to do, and one of my jobs is to feed you, so I’m going to go do that now,” I tell him, pointing over my shoulder with my thumb.

He makes a show of moving his attention between my hands and my eyes. “Sure, Red. I could eat.”

“Great. Any requests?”

“Something sticky.” His voice is low, dangerous, and so freaking sexy I choke on my own spit.

“St-Sticky?” I stutter.

His mouth forms a devilish grin, but it’s his eyes that tell the story. “I can’t have you running just yet, Red. Who will bathe me?”

“Who said I was running?”Holy shit, who told him I’m a runner?I mean, yes, that is my modus operandi, but what the fuck? Bathe him?Holy hell, yes, please!

“I read people, too, Sloane.” The wink he sends my way tickles my entire body like butterfly kisses, and I shiver.

“Sticky. I’ll get sticky and call Emory about your shower. I mean, I’ll get your shower sticky. No. Geez.” I’m so flustered I actually stomp my foot while shaking out my hands like I can remove the heat his words have caused throughout my body. “I’ll get you something sticky for dinner and call Emory about your shower.” I don’t wait for a response. I bolt out the door, his laughter following me down the short hallway.

Chapter 5

Loki

Loki: Please tell me Sloane is joking. You assholes did not give me a sponge bath.

Preston: Don’t worry, Lok. I was gentle.

Dexter: The worst five minutes of my life.

Ashton: Thank fuck you woke up.

Trevor: Well, dipshit, if you didn’t have a thing for your babysitter, they wouldn’t have had to do it.

Loki: I wasn’t coherent.

Preston: Even drugged out of your mind, you seem to have a thing for my little sister.

Loki: Sister-in-law.

Dexter: Fuck, yes! MSL!

Loki: You had better be referring to the Mean Sea Level, Dex. Seriously, I need to talk to you all. Bring Seth. I have to figure out what the hell is going on.