Page 62 of The Temptation

“Okay,” she says, stepping in to snake her arms aroundmy waist. When she rests her cheek on my chest and lets out an audible sigh, I briefly hug her back. I try not to focus on the feel of her soft tits that are now resting against my ribcage. “I’m going to make your favourite food for dinner tonight.”

If that’s her way of giving me the incentive to return, she needn’t have bothered. I’m not ready to let this woman go yet, and there’s a part deep inside me that wonders if I’ll ever be.

Moving my hands to her shoulders, I draw her body away from mine before my cock can get a chance to react.

“If you be a good girl while I’m gone, I might bring you back a surprise.”

Her big, brown eyes light up with excitement, and I’ll be the first to admit that those chocolate-coloured orbs are my weakness. I’ve never known a woman’s eyes to hold such a mix of brazen sass, undisguised interest, and palpable vulnerability, but it’s the way she says, “I’ll try to be good,” so damn seriously, that has me barking out a laugh.

I’m quietly confident that this woman will eventually be the death of me, but that doesn’t seem to bother me in the slightest.

“Please do,” I murmur, bopping her cute little nose with the tip of my finger. “I’ll introduce you to my guy before I go.”

“He’s here?”

“He’s waiting on the front porch as we speak.”

Dominic’s the kind of guy you see once and never forget. All height and broad shoulders, with muscles packed tight over inked skin. His hair’s cropped close to the scalp, and a deep red scar runs down the side of his face. Between his thick neck, battered knuckles, and that permanent scowl he’s sporting, people tend to cross the street without thinking twice.

His presence screams:Don’t fuck with me.Which isprecisely why I figured he was perfect for this job. Lucia might be all petite and gorgeous, but she’s a damn handful when she wants to be.

I’m hoping his intimidating presence alone will keep her in line until I get back.

I don’t realise she’s followed me into the foyer until I open the front door and hear a tiny squeak behind me, followed by a muttered, “Holy shit.”

I pull the door wider and step aside, letting him in. His massive frame practically fills the doorway as he steps over the threshold.

Lucia immediately presses herself flat against the wall. Her eyes are wide and locked on him as he passes. She looks quietly terrified, if I’m being honest.

Her reaction is precisely what I was banking on. I don’t think she’ll be game enough to step out of line while he’s here.

I lean down, keeping my voice low to mess with her. “Rumour has it he eats kittens for breakfast.”

Her head snaps towards me, and when her eyeballs almost bug out of her head, I crack up.

I tried to get back as fast as I could, but by the time I pulled up outside the safe house, hours had slipped by.

I feel like shit for being gone so long. When I first introduced Lucia to Dominic, her hand was trembling as she offered it to him, which was accompanied by a meek,“It’s nice to meet you.”

All she got in return was a grunt and the barest nod. As I walked out, she mouthed,“Please don’t leave me here with him.”For those reasons alone, I intended to rush my little shopping expedition, but I had no luck.

I’m now in a foul mood because I hate shopping for myself on a good day, but doing it for a woman is a whole different kind of hell.

Lucia texted me a few minutes after I left, but I haven’t heard a word from her since, so I kill the engine and reach into the centre console for my phone, pulling up our message thread.

As irritated as I am, I can’t help but smile as I reread what she sent me.

Lucia: Your goon’s parked himself against the wall like a statue holding a massive grudge. I offered him a seat, but all I got in return was a menacing grunt. I’m not brave enough to ask him again. His arms are crossed, and his eyes are locked on me. I’m trying to act casual and not let him see that I’m literally petrified. Where did you find this man? A haunted forest?

Me: You’re safe, babe. If I thought he was a threat, he wouldn’t be breathing, let alone babysitting you.

Lucia: It feels like he’s either sizing me up or debating whether I’d taste better with garlic butter or barbecue sauce.

Me: Garlic butter or barbecue sauce?

Lucia: For when he chops me up and eats me!!!!!! You know, like the kittens he gobbled up for breakfast.

I’m feeling a little apprehensive as I grab my purchases and head towards the house. I’m not sure what I’m going to find once I walk inside.