Page 7 of Savage Obsession
The elevator slides down two floors before it stops, and a couple with a child walks on, nodding at me in greeting. I keep my gaze forward, ignoring them completely. This is why I always use my private elevator. I used to be more sociable, but as I’ve gotten older, I want to avoid everyone except my family. And lately, I’ve even been dodging them.
Three stops later, I get out on the fourth floor and let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
I need a fucking drink.
After glancing at the paper again to make sure I remembered the correct apartment, I only take a few steps before I reach the right door and knock.
“Come in!” a sweet, feminine voice sings out.
Instead of entering, I glare at the door like it’s offended me and wait, hoping I misheard the occupant.
When that same voice calls out again for me to come in, I grab the knob and swing the door open, scowling into the entryway as it’s revealed. The aroma of food wafts through the air, but I can’t tell what it is other than maybe something with garlic. Either way, it smells delicious to my empty stomach. My attention is quickly pulled from the bare apartment to a set of soft brown eyes that make me go completely still. She stares up at me, her mouth open slightly, as we size each other up.
Two French braids, a smattering of freckles, glowing skin, and innocent doe eyes gaze back at me, and holy shit, my entire world shifts.
A ray of the most beautiful sunshine.
I’ve seen beauty before, but this is more than that. She looks pure. Like an angel. Too good for this fucked-up world. And inviting people to waltz right into her fucking apartment.
What the hell is she thinking?
Then, as if she realizes she just let in a monster, she gasps and takes a step back.
“Your door shouldn’t be unlocked. That’s not safe.”
I should put her over my knee and make sure she knows how unsafe it is.
My dick stirs. For the first time in over a year.
Jesus Christ.
Instead of answering me, she continues to stare like she’s not sure how to reply, so I keep going. While I might not be able to spank her, I’m going to make damn sure she understands me.
“You shouldn’t just invite people to walk into your apartment. The door should be locked at all times.”
Her glossy pink lips spread into a bright smile that I suspect might be forced. “Oh, uh, I thought you were Mrs. Cooley. She lives down the hall. Can I help you with something?”
I glance over her head, scanning her living room. It’s empty of furniture. There are shelves and décor on the walls, but no couch or TV, or anything to sit on, for that matter. I’ve never seen her around before, but I rarely run into the other residents, and when I do, I ignore them. Though I can guarantee that if I’d run into her before, that wouldn’t have happened.
“Did you just move in?” Why am I asking her personal shit? That’s none of my business. I don’t care what her story is.
Her cheeks turn a rosy pink, and she drops her gaze, stirring something inside of me. Is she embarrassed about something? I can’t imagine this beautiful being could have anything in her life to be embarrassed about. She’s a goddess.
And I need to get far away from her. Quickly.
Then she looks up at me and smiles again, but it doesn’t reach those warm brown eyes that could bring a man to his knees. “No, I’ve lived here for a couple of years.”
What the fuck? Why doesn’t she have any furniture?
“Um,” she continues. “Who are you?”
Your Daddy.
Jesus.
Scowling, I hold out the check. “This got delivered to my apartment. I didn’t look at the address before I opened the envelope and realized it wasn’t for me.”
Her eyebrows pinch in confusion as she takes several steps toward me. I try not to notice how her thick thighs move when her wide hips sway in a pair of light pink shorts that are so tiny they should be illegal. And as she gets closer, her scent hits me like the first sip of my most expensive and favorite whiskey. Pure fucking dopamine.
