Page 32 of Seize Me

“Don’t do that,” Tony growled as he took another bite.

“Do what?”

“Moan like that.It turns me on.”He smirked.

“Shut up and eat,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

Tony took a sip of coffee, set his cup down, and turned to face me.“You sure enjoy giving orders, angel.I think you might have a streak of Domme in you.”

“Eat,” I giggled with exasperation.

“Keep it up, Leagh.I’d love to see how high I could make you fly,” Tony needled as a gleeful twinkle danced in his eyes.

I sobered and swallowed tightly.“I don’t want to talk about that yet…or about what happened in your bathroom between us, okay?It’s confusing.I’m trying to dissect it all, but I need more time.Hell, I don’t even know if Ican.”

“When you’re ready, I’m here.”He nodded, placing his broad hand over mine.“There’s no rush, angel.Take all the time you need.”

“Thank you,” I whispered and took another bite of the muffin.

“So, tell me, what do you have planned to do today?”he asked, reaching up to brush a crumb from my lips.His thumb lingered, and I fought the urge to slide my tongue from between my lips and suck it inside my mouth.

Something wicked flickered in his eyes, as if he’d read my mind.When he abruptly moved his hand away, I grabbed my coffee and took a sip, washing down the lump of desire lodged in my throat.

“I’m supposed to meet with Mika this morning.He wanted to talk to me about something.After I think I’ll walk down the street and get a newspaper.I’ve got to find a job.”

“Oh, that reminds me.Last night, Mika asked if I would talk to you.He’s staying home to keep an eye on Julianna.Evidently, she’s having some issues with her pregnancy.”

I nodded.“Braxton-Hicks contractions.”

“They’re freaking him out.”Tony grinned.

“Oh yes, I know,” I laughed.“Poor man.What did he want you to talk to me about?”

“He’s offering you a place to stay, here at the club, for as long as you’d like.Rent free, so you don’t need to worry about paying him a dime.Trust me, he wouldn’t take it, anyway.But he’s concerned that staying in the room you shared with George is going to be too hard on you… emotionally.He’d like to modify one of the empty private rooms into a studio apartment.”

“I can’t do that.”I frowned.“I need to get out on my own.”

“He knows that, but until you’re on your feet again, he needs to do this for George.We both think it would be healthier for you if you started fresh in a new room, though.”He held up his hand as I opened my mouth to speak.“Just listen.Living at the club with the constant reminder of George is going to be hard enough.You don’t need to surround yourself in the space you shared with him, day in and day out.”

“Maybe I don’t want to throw my memories of him away,” I argued.George’s scent was getting harder to detect in the blanket, but I still felt his presence in the room.I didn’t know if I was brave enough to close the door on all we’d shared so soon.

“Why?”he asked, arching a brow.

“Because,” I snipped, jutting out my chin.

“That’s a child’s answer, Leagh.Give me a reason why.”

“Ah, so we’re playing doctor-patient now?”I quipped.“Because I’m not ready to let him go, that’s why.”

“Angel, he’s already gone,” Tony acknowledged as he cupped one hand around my cheek.“I know you miss him.I know you feel lost.But we’re your safety net now.All of us will do whatever it takes to help you get back on your feet.You have a lot of life ahead of you.Mika is only trying to help guide you through your grief as easily as possible.”

“No, he’s trying to push me through it,” I countered with a huff.

“He and Julianna care very much about you.Mika doesn’t expect you to make a decision today.Just think about it.But don’t cut off your nose to spite your face,” Tony replied.Sliding his hand away, he reached into his shirt pocket.Damn me for wanting to savor his touch a few minutes more.Handing me a business card, Tony stood.“I need to get ready for work.If you decide you don’t want to change rooms, text me, and I’ll let Mika know.But think long and hard before you make a decision.Will you do that for me?”

“All right,” I sighed.

“Good girl,” he whispered.Leaning down, he kissed my cheek.

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