Page 30 of Unbind

It’s official.

I’m in heaven.

Even if it’s the home of the devil.

17

NATALIE

When the man himself wanders in with an espresso cup and saucer not five minutes later, it’s an unwelcome interruption. At least, it’s unwelcome except to my eyeballs, because he looks good enough to grace the pages of any of these coffee table books.

He’s in a similar uniform to the ones I’ve seen him in the past couple of times we’ve met—black, beautifully cut trousers, white, beautifully cut shirt, open at the neck. But there’s something about seeing him here, freshly showered, his dark curls damp and raked off his face, beard immaculate, that motherfucking cologne already wafting over to me, that steals the breath from my lungs.

‘Good morning,’ he says, and his tone is hesitant, I think. Maybe that’s because the last thing I said to him was an insult, or maybe he’s remembering that he woke up next to me with a raging boner. Either way, he’s on guard, as am I.

‘Morning,’ I say, closing the book on my lap.

‘Don’t let me disturb you. I have to head out shortly—a meeting I can’t get out of, unfortunately.’ His mouth twistslike he’s pissed off, and I get the distinct impression that he’s telling the truth; the early meeting isn’t a convenient way to dodge me.

I put the book down on the low table in front of me and stand so I feel more equal with him. ‘I’m sorry for what I said last night,’ I say, holding his gaze. ‘It was really rude, especially after you’ve been so kind to me.’

He gives a little shake of his head. ‘It wasn’t anything I didn’t deserve ten times over.’

‘No.’ I press on. ‘It wasn’t cool at all. And—I regret it.’ Last night’s parting shot was also the only reference either of us has made to his treatment of Stephen in the twelve or more hours I’ve been in his home. If someone had told me that I could coexist with Adam for that long without the massive, burning elephant in the room coming up, I’d have scoffed.

This time, I get a nod. ‘It’s forgotten. I’m sorry if you found me overbearing. I was worried about you, so I tried to take control of the situation. Maybe I pushed it too far.’

I wonder if that apology extends to creeping into my bedroom with lancets and gels and that dick of his and watching me sleep for God knows how long. I’d definitely call thatpushing it too far,but I suspect he’d die of mortification if I called him out on it. As would I, obviously, so we’ll just pretend it didn’t happen. He absolutely does not need to know that I woke up when he was there.

When he was hard.

‘It’s fine,’ I say.

His gaze rakes over my body and back to my face. ‘Well, you look… much better. You’re glowing.’

‘Thanks.’ I swear I flush. ‘I feel much better.’

‘Seriously, sit down, please.’ He waves his free handabout. ‘Finish your tea. Your breakfast should be here in a couple of minutes, and Louise texted to say she’ll try to be here a little earlier, so…’

I stay standing. ‘What, no “Turkish eggs with extra black beans” for you today?’ I make bunny ears with my fingers when I reel off my not-so-voluntary breakfast order. ‘I thought it was your favourite.’

He takes a sip from his espresso. ‘It is on Saturdays. I tend to do intermittent fasting during the week.’ A pause, then a little smirk creases the corners of his unfairly attractive mouth. ‘You know, because I can.’

The jibe takes me a second to absorb, but when it does, my mouth drops open.

‘Hang on a sec. Did you justdiabetesshame me?’

He’s still smirking. He looks awfully pleased with himself, and I can’t help it. I grin.

‘You smug bastard.’

‘Yep. But I suspect you already knew that.’

We stand there and smile at each other. It only lasts a moment, but it’s long enough to make me flustered. I cast around for a change of subject.

On the table in front of me is a neatly fanned array of today’s papers.The Timesis up top, bearing a front-page photo of the Oscar-winning British actor, Ellery Hart, wearing fucking custom Omar Vega, no less. I point at it. ‘Nice work.’

He looks down at it and grins. He really is in a good mood this morning. And no sign of a boner. He definitely jacked off in the shower. The thought of him getting himself off, probably vigorously, probably with those white teeth pressing down on his full lower lip as he reached his climax, makes me feel slightly weak. I should probably sit down.

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