Page 123 of Eat Your Heart Out

“Get the damn message and stop knocking!” she snapped as she unlocked the door to yank it open—immediately stunned to silence at the image of the intruder. With a muted curse, she slammed the door, but it got snagged by a big boot now wedged in the doorway.

“You’re not a very sociable person, are you?”

“What are you doing here?” Clarissa heard the quiver in her voice. She was rooted to the spot as she stared at the last person she expected on her doorstep… especially since she had just ascertained that this was her safe space. Her mental perception was nearing collapse when her eyes brushed over the muscled physique—now clearly visible without the bulky lumber jacket he wore earlier.

Damn, Cathy was right. He is gorgeously sexy.

The snug jeans hugged his muscled thighs like they were tailored to fit. She swallowed hard. Her eyes devoured the rippling muscles of his arms and chest, which were straining against a black sweater.

For the first time in a long while, Clarissa was speechless. When his eyes took a detour over her body, she quickly snapped out of her frozen state.

“What are you doing here?”

“I forgot to mention earlier that your sister expects you to join them for dinner at my restaurant. I’ll pick you up at—”

“That won’t be necessary, thank you.”

“It’s on my way there if you’re concerned that—”

“Mr. Butler, my comings and goings while I’m in town are none of your concern. Please don’t be concerned. I’ll get there on my own accord.”

“I’m sure you can. Still, I’ll—”

“Look, Gingerbread Man, I’m tired from the flight. All I want to do is take a bath, then a short nap.” She took a step back and grabbed hold of the door. “You can let my sister know I’ll see her later.”

With that, she pushed the door closed, except it wouldn’t once again. This time, it was his muscled body which forced its way past her as he boldly stepped inside.

“Just who do you think you…” She stared at him in disbelief and pointed to the door. “I want you to leave.” Clarissa retreated deeper into the room when he ignored the order and closed the door behind him.

“Go finish your bath. I’ll wait until you’re done.”

“Leave, Rick Butler. Now!” she gasped as he kept coming closer.

“Oh shit,” she cried in mortification when the towel got snagged at the edge of the chair and left her with only the rush of heated air along her back. “This isn’t funny,” she mumbled, watching him as he picked up the piece of cotton. “You can hand that back, thanks.”

She was all hands as she attempted to cover her nakedness from his roaming eyes. The gleam in his gaze mocked her effort. With a backward shuffle in the direction of the bathroom, she watched him warily

“Leave, Mr. Butler!”

“Are you going to be reasonable about me picking you up later?”

The mulish tilt of her chin was answer enough. With a grin of mirth, Rick flung the towel over his shoulder. The glimmer in his eyes showed how he relished her predicament.

Holding out her hand in defense, she watched him sauntering closer. “Don’t you dare come any closer.”

“Ah, little one, show me a red-blooded man who would be able to ignore such a blatant challenge.” A smile flashed across his face.

Clarissa stamped her foot and planted her fists on her hips. “I didn’t challenge you, you dickhead! I want you to... oh!” she gasped as his eyes dropped to her jiggling breasts. In her indignation, she’d forgotten she was naked. Covering her breasts, she crossed her legs in an attempt to preserve some modicum of modesty.

“Since you refuse to leave, I will. I’m going to finish my bath. I suggest you leave. Now, Chef Butler!”

Pivoting on her heel, she dragged in a deep breath and marched to the bathroom. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, but at the same time, she reveled in the sound of a raw groan filling the room. Blatantly flaunting her naked buttocks like this was totally unlike her. Having grown up in a conservative house, Clarissa never paraded in front of her lovers in her birthday suit—ever. Her ears pricked as she heard the tread of his footsteps behind her. With a knot in her stomach, she sprinted forward, but before she could close the bathroom door, he was there.

“Oomph!” she gasped as he pressed her against the wall. His hardness against her naked body was unyielding and hot. Her body flashed over with goosebumps. “What are you doing?”

A shiver trailed over her spine at the warmth of his breath teasing her temple.

“As I said, I accepted the invitation, especially since you added a sexy ass swaying in my face.”

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