Page 18 of The Thug And His Doll

“Nothing that a long hot shower won’t cure. I slept just fine,” he replies, clearing his throat.

His eyes rest on mine, and for a moment the air between us thickens with unspoken things.

“Can I get you a coffee? Maybe that will help?” I climb off the bed and rush towards the kitchenette on the other side of the suite, grabbing my jumper from on top of my suitcase and pulling it on as I go.

“Sure, that’d be good,” he replies, climbing to his feet just as Toby comes running out of the bathroom and throws himself into Drix’s arms.

“Good morning, Drix!” Toby shouts, laughing as Drix picks him up and messes his hair.

“Morning, buddy,” Drix greets him, grinning.

“Toby, leave the man alone. I think he’s had quite enough of you clambering all over him,” I say, a little tersely. Mostly because I’m still embarrassed by the fact I’ve practically flashed my breasts at Drix, but also because I’m scared that Toby is becoming way too attached.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, his smile fading, and I instantly regret my words.

“What’s with all the apologies today?” Drix asks goodnaturedly, bopping Toby’s nose with his finger. “We’re all good.”

“We are all good, aren’t we Mama?” Toby asks.

I nod, caught by the moment of Toby so happy in a stranger’s arms.

“We sure are,” Drix chuckles, setting him down on the bed.

Toby immediately starts jumping up and down on the bed like it’s a trampoline, laughing and flapping his arms around as he enjoys the bounce from the springy mattress.

“Toby stop that! This isn’t a playground,” I say, worry coursing through me. I love Toby with everything that I am, but he’s full of energy at the best of times, and this room is so posh, I’m worried he’ll break something.

Drix just chuckles, waving away my concerns. “It’s fine. You bounce away, little man, you have my approval.”

“You really shouldn’t encourage him,” I counter, busying myself with making us both a cup of coffee as Drix approaches. His tall frame, broad shoulders, and body covered in tattoos are somehow even more intimidating in the light of day.

“I can assure you, that bed has survived way more action than a kid’s energetic bouncing.”

“I’m not sure I want that visual in my head,” I reply, pouring a dash of milk into my mug, offering him some.

Drix shakes his head. “I prefer mine without.”

“Sugar?”

“I’m sweet enough,” he jokes.

“I doubt that very much,” I mutter under my breath, remembering the flare of heat in his eyes when he forced himself to look away from my breasts just moments ago.

The sheer fact he didn’t look at me with disgust like Martin would do all the time makes me feel uncomfortable in a different way. It’s been a long time since anyone has looked at me like I’m an attractive woman, and I have to remind myself that I don’t know this man, that I have to be cautious, that I can’t let myself trust him. Which seems ridiculous since that’s exactly what I’ve done these past twenty-four hours. I guess desperation makes you do stupid things.

Sliding the mug across the counter, I take a sip of my own coffee.

“This is good,” I mumble, feeling wholly uncomfortable about the situation I’ve found myself in.

“The breakfast is even better,” Drix replies, looking at me from over the rim of his mug as he swallows a mouthful.

My gaze flicks to my suitcase. “I don’t think I’ve got the right clothes to wear for breakfast.”

Drix frowns. “The right clothes?”

“You know, it’s posh here…” My voice trails off as I remember the well dressed couple from last night. This hotel seems to cater to the well to-do, and I really don’t fit into that bracket.

“You don’t need to dress up for breakfast,” he reassures me, amusement in his eyes.

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