Page 89 of Madness & Mercy
He’s quiet for a second too long. Then his gaze darkens. “You’re a real piece of work.”
I flash a grin. “So are you.”
And then I leave, closing the door behind me, knowing I didn’t get everything I wanted tonight.
But he’s slipping.
And when he falls, I’ll be the one holding the leash.
I knock once before pushing the door open. It’s just before six.
Julian’s by the mirror, adjusting the collar of his shirt.
Tight black jeans. A gray t-shirt with a leather jacket tossed over the chair.
I let the door click shut behind me and lean my shoulder against the frame.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
He turns, slow. “What?”
“That.” I nod to his clothes. “Take it off.”
He glares at me. “It’s clean. It fits. I’m not putting on one of your tailored-ass mafia suits just to eat dinner.”
I take a step forward.
He stiffens, eyes narrowing.
“Then I’llrip it off you,”I murmur, voice low. “Piece by piece. Your choice.”
His jaw ticks. “You’re fucking insane.”
“Possibly.” I smile. “But the invite says formal. So unless you want Enzo and Luca watching you eat half-naked, I suggest you move.”
He opens his mouth to argue, then snaps it shut.
“I hate you,” he mutters as he brushes past me toward the closet.
“No, you don’t,” I say as I watch him drag a black suit off a hanger, all while cursing under his breath. “You just hate that you’re starting to like this.”
He flips me off without turning around.
He takes longer than necessary to get dressed, fumbling with the tie, muttering things I don’t catch. Watching him in the mirror is entertainment enough. The way his hands shake just slightly when the silk brushes his throat. The way he tries to keep his expression blank when he catches me watching.
“Need help?” I ask innocently.
“Fuck off,” he snaps.
“Pity. I was hoping to get my hands on you.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“You say that like it’s new information.”
When he’s finally done, he turns toward me, stiff in the suit, like he doesn’t belong in it. But he does. More than he knows.
“Better?” he grits out.
