“We don’t.” He cracks a tired smile.
I get myself together and walk over to him to pass him the shirt. He takes it with a quietthanksand puts it on. While he’s doing that, my hungry eyes follow him like the little perverts they are. His every movement causes his muscles to swell and snake under his glistening skin. Glistening skin.The man is sick, you pervert.I smack myself, forcing myself to stop thirsting after him. Mentally.
He saves my sanity by putting the shirt on, and I can think straight again. “Do you want something? Rachel said the fever will go down soon. Maybe you want some broth?” I half turn toward the kitchen. “I can make it.”
“You can make it?” His glistening forehead wrinkles.
“Yes.”
“For me?” The wrinkles become deeper.
“Well, ye-e-eah.” I look around pointedly. “Do you see anyone else here?” He’s watching me without blinking, so I raise my voice: “Mark! Wake up. Do you want some food?”
He finally blinks and nods slowly.
“All right. I’m gonna go check what you have in the fridge. Any preferences?”
He blinks again, like it’s a foreign thing for him to do, and shakes his head. “Anything.”
“All right. Don’t complain if you don’t like the food I make,” I say as I walk to the kitchen.
“I won’t.” He barely whispers, causing me to turn around and look at him again, a little closer this time. He’s watching me with open wonder. I don’t know why, but something in his eyes makes this big man look like a little kid.
I turn away, uncomfortable with this new discovery. In the kitchen, I dig into his fridge. I find chicken and a few sad-looking veggies. Probably enough for minestrone, but on the other hand, I don’t think a guy like Mark will be satisfied with a barely existing amount of protein in a veggie soup, so I prep the chicken. I throw half of it into the pan for the broth and marinade the rest to fry later. Then I rush to the door.
“I’ll be right back,” I say as I pull my sweater on.
“Where are you going?” he rasps.
“I need to get some stuff from my place. Be back in a minute.”
I’m nearly out the door when I hear him quietly talking to Ghost. “Go with her.”
I hear claws clacking on the hardwood floor and wait for him outside without turning around. I don’t want Mark to see how misty my eyes are. A little nudge to the back of my thigh tells me he’s ready to go. I automatically pat his head and walk to my place, slower than I intended to. The water must be boiling soon, and the weather isn’t good enough for a leisurely stroll in a thin sweater, but I need a moment to collect myself.
These tiny, sweet gestures break my heart. Sending Ghost with me outside when it’s so late was intentional. He must have sensed me being jumpy, or he’s just a nice guy who would do it for any woman who happens to be at his house late at night.
And that was the wrong topic. Now all I can think about is other women in his house. I comb my memory, trying to remember if I ever saw anyone else besides Rachel coming or leaving. Nothing comes to mind. Maybe they are super sneaky? Because there is no way a man like that doesn’t have needs. He oozes unrestrained, raw testosterone, and I’m sure if another alpha man would show up in the same room, there would be a fight. And I’d bet my money on Mark.
So how come I haven’t seen anyone?
It’s a good thing.
I think.
ChapterEleven
MARK
I fucked up.
Well, I’ve fucked up far too many times in my life, but this is the ultimate fuckup. How else would you call me developingfeelingsfor someone after they offered to make me food? Talk about kids not being loved enough by their families—yeah, that’s me. I bet you’ll find my picture under the description if you Google it.
I lean back on the couch, patiently waiting for her to be back from her place and wishing I’d gone to a doctor as Rachel instructed, but I didn’t think the burn was this bad. I bet catching this nasty flu didn’t help either. I’ve never had such a high fever, especially not to the point of delirium. And did I really tell Alicia she’s got nice tits? I cover my face with my hands and groan. I hope she didn’t hear me. And Rachel too. God, I hope she didn’t. The woman is a shark. Once she sniffs blood, she’ll never let it go. My interest in my new neighbor was a little too obvious.
Thank fuck my dick stayed put. I was coherent enough to remember the hug… and how her soft body fit with mine, her perfect curves along my ridges. How wonderful she felt to be next to me. How good she smelled. How her strands of soft hair tickled my nose. I had to burry my face deeper.
I press the heels of my palms against my eye sockets, hoping to erase all those little moments from my memory. They’re no good. I can’t afford to entangle myself with her now, and “entangle” is all I can offer. Of course, I’m sure the sex would be amazing. It always is when you have even an ounce of chemistry. But she doesn’t seem like the type of person who would enjoy a casual, one-time fuck. Plus, the darkness around her… She might not be up for the beast she could face.
