Page 40 of No Control
Jude’s face remains emotionless. “She has no idea she’s stepped into hell.”
I can make it heaven for her.
My gaze returns to the glass, peering out as Lydia and Duke start making their way toward the house. I have motorized blinds that cover the wall of windows, but I left them open for her arrival. I don’t want her to think this place is as unwelcoming as it really is.
As Lydia and Duke make it up the steps, I take in the sight of her soaked body, her jeans clinging to her hips, the fabric darkened from the upper thigh down. My mouth waters at the idea of peeling them from her body and drying her off myself.
Lydia opens the door and sticks her head in, her eyes growing wide as they meet mine. Her hair is a beautiful mess, damp from the ocean spray and falling out of the bun on her head. “Um...”
“Good evening.” The words come out smoother than I feel on the inside. Internally, I want to devour her.
“Do you have a towel I could use? Duke is a little…wet.”
“And so are you.”
She blushes, her high cheek bones painted with a delicate hue of crimson. “Yeah, but I don’t want him to ruin your carpet...”
I smile at her, noticing the small tremble in her shoulders. “It’s just carpet. It can be replaced, but I’ll be right back.” I push off from where I’m leaning and make my way to the hallway linen closet, the monster tapping on my brain.
I could make her undress outside. Refuse to give her the towel. Bend her over the rails…
“Nope,” I mutter, grabbing a couple of gray towels and shoving them under my arm. I don’t give it or my dick another thought as I make my way back to the kitchen, and hand the towels to her. “There’s a woman who comes once a week to clean, cook, and do laundry, so you can put them in the hamper when you’re done.”
She purses her lips at me, and I can tell she wants to ask questions. However, Lydia remains quiet as she releases the door and steps outside. I take a breath, sharply exhale, and then join her on the back deck.
“I’ll dry your dog off,” I offer, reaching for one of the towels.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“I know I don’t,” I cut in, pulling the fabric from her arms and going for Duke. He recognizes me and begins to wag his tail in a greeting.
Lydia remains frozen, staring at us. “He doesn’t usually like strangers.”
Good thing I’m not one.
I shrug, rubbing his soaked fur down with the towel. Thankfully, he doesn’t shed all that much, but even if he did…I’d deal with it. Anything for Lydia. I watch her from the corner of my eye as she rolls the towel down her body, stopping at the wet jeans.
“Just take them off.”
“Excuse me?” Her voice jumps an octave.
“The jeans?” I chuckle, running the towel under Duke’s body and looking up at her.
“I’m not undressing—”
“I won’t watch,” I lie, looking away from her. Maybe I’m not so great at keeping the reins tight internally.
She’s quiet for a few moments, but then lets out a sharp sigh. “I’ll just change in my room.”
Yeah, that won’t be your room for long.
“Suit yourself,” I say flatly, though disappointment rattles my body. I finish drying off Duke and straighten myself up. The smell of wet dog permeates the air, but I bite back the complaint.
She wraps the towel around her shoulders, eyeing me as I reach for the door, opening it for the two of them. “Thank you,” she mumbles under her breath as they step through the opening.
“You can have the rest of tonight to settle in.” I shut and lock the door.
Lydia looks up at me, clinging to her towel and the leash of her dog with one hand. “Okay. Tomorrow we can go over the general synopsis of the book?” Her voice takes an air of professionalism.
