“I am not a brat,” he argues, pinching his blond eyebrows together.
“Mhm. Yes, you aren’t.” Soaking a bandage in antiseptic, I snatch the hand wrap he’s pressing to the left side of his mouth.
He whimpers, huffing in indignation. “Gentle, dude.”
His eyes meet mine, the wild flicker not as prominent as earlier but still there. It’s enough to captivate me, putting my body in a fight-or-flight state. The sweet hum rekindles, spreading like smoke through a burning forest until I’m overly aware that it’s just the two of us alone in the room.
I can feel the heat of his body seeping into mine. I can smell him, the mountains and sweat everywhere. Surrounding me, enveloping me, invading me. I breathe in, I can’t help it. He inhales sharply, eyes darkening.
Leaning in without breaking eye contact, I wipe the blood off his mouth. His upper lip is cracked, but it doesn’tlook like it needs stitches. The area has started to bruise and swell a little, so I’m extra careful.
“How bad… is it?” he whispers, his voice low and hoarse and going straight to my dick.
The cut is sexy. It’s proof that he’s a fighter and not a coward. He could’ve refused. He could’ve told my father he didn’t want the job and left. But he didn’t. He stayed.
Is it just because of the visa, I wonder, or is there more to it?
You want there to be more, don’t you?
I lean in further, drowning in his dark blue gaze. It beckons me, irresistible as it dips to my lips when I run my tongue over them. I fist the silk bedcover with my free hand, my mind racing. His eyes flutter closed on a shallow inhale, opening slowly to show me even more of that titillating gleam of arousal.
I want him.
His hand comes up, gripping my wrist. His hold is firm and gentle at the same time, sending tingling sparks all over me. I shiver, every nerve ending alive.
I want him.
“It isn’t too bad,” I rasp, my voice hoarse and low. “Your lip. No need for stitches.”
I do another pass with the antiseptic, anticipation building up within me. I’m air under pressure, feeling like I’m about to explode.
“You looked freaked out,” he says, wince-grinning. “When the guy was strangling me on the floor.”
I want him.
“Iwasfreaked out,” I correct without thinking.
Then I regret it immediately.
His fingers grip my wrist tighter. It’s almost too tight, but in the best way possible. He clenches his jaw, his eyesblazing. They implore me. Invite me. I go from semi to fully hard in a heartbeat. I’ve never wanted someone like this. It’s too much. I don’t know what to do with it. It’s terrifying, and if I stay here even a minute longer, I’m going to lose my mind.
I need to leave. I need to get away from him and calm down before the desire he stirs within me consumes me.
Shoving the bandage in his hand, I scramble up from the bed. His eyes stay on me as I cross the room and open the door.Did I brief him about anything?I don’t remember. Probably not. But I’m in no condition to stay with him and do that now. Tomorrow, when we are on the way to the warehouse, will have to suffice.
“You can sleep here tonight. Get some rest. We’re leaving for Tokyo early in the morning.”
My words are clipped, desperate, betraying just how much he affects me. How close I am to surrendering to the want and the desire when I shouldn’t. Because he’s my bodyguard and I am his boss. And because this strong attraction I feel is scary. New. Too much. Too out of control.
“Chai, wait,” Leo pleads in a rumbly voice that hijacks my entire being, freezing me mid-step.
I let go of the handle, turn around and face him. I just can’t refuse him. He’s followed me and is now standing where the hallway wall begins, leaning one shoulder against it.
He doesn’t say anything further. I don’t either. We just stare at each other as the door closes with me still in the room. The silence around us charges with something explosive, getting worse by the second. Breathing becomes a challenge no matter how fast my heart pumps. My skin feels too tight. Too hot. I want to rip my clothes off.
He grabs the hem of his tank top and lifts it, wiping sweat off his glistering neck. My eyes fixate on his abs, following them to his bellybutton and flat stomach, then below. His shorts hang low on his hips, a trail of trimmed blond hair disappearing under the fabric.
My mouth waters as I swipe my hand over my erection, trying to conceal it.
