Did I scare her off? Theodore thought to himself as he saw his mate exit the room in a rush. His beast growled within him at the thought, almost ready to come out at any moment, and more than ready to claim her.
He guessed he would have to make his advances more subtle for the time being. He didn’t want to scare her off. He was after all many years her senior, and that could be a major obstacle in his getting the girl. He was also absurdly wealthy, which could be intimidating.
She was soon enough back at his door. He could both sense her and smell her potent scent. He had remained standing in the same spot she had left him at. Instead of appearing like a weirdo – or worse, a creep – by staying rooted to the place, he opened the door for her.
She had been ready to put the tray on the nearby side table, it would seem, for she was bending over slightly, flashing him some cleavage.
He had to repress a growl and turn around briskly as he felt his eyes turn bloody red.
You’re no teenager, he admonished himself. Don’t act like one.
“Hey,” she said awkwardly as she got inside, and then placed the tray on the nightstand that sat proudly next to his bed. “Sorry I’m late.”
She apologized, probably thinking his attitude came from her tardiness.
Oh, how sweet you are, Ms. Nill, he mused, smirking inwardly.
He sat on the edge of his bed and then finally opened his eyes when he gained back control. He then smiled at her and ushered her over.
She frowned, slightly perplexed, slightly intrigued, but took a few steps forward nonetheless.
“I’ll have the coffee,” he announced and she nodded. “While you help yourself to the croissants and the grapes.”
Her eyes widened and she shook her head negatively.
“I… I can’t,” she stammered her response.
“Can’t or won’t?” He raised an eyebrow at her. “I believe I heard your stomach grumble earlier.”
She blushed a deep crimson at that.
“I didn’t get to have breakfast this morning,” she said timidly.
“Why is that?” He asked matter-of-factly as he grabbed the tray and put it on bed next to him. He motioned for her to sit on the other side of the tray.
And he was almost chagrined to see her remain frozen like a statue.
“Because I didn’t want to be late.”
“Not an early riser, huh?” He teased her, trying to get her to open up some more.
“Actually, I am,” she countered as she seemingly struggled to keep her hands down by her side. Her gaze was cast down when she finished her sentence, “It’s just my first time walking to the estate.”
His eyes widened at that. Why did she put herself through that much? Was she really in such a dire need of money that she wouldn’t even allow herself to spend some on transportation?
“Why would you walk here?” He asked in a soft tone, his heart going out to his mate.
“So as not to be late,” she said with a small smile. “The bus caused me to arrive late 3 times already.”
He nodded in understanding. So, she really valued her job – or rather needed it.
He smirked inwardly. He was going to push her buttons, and see how much he could get away with before she snapped at him.
He was already looking forward to spending more time with his mate, teasing her and trying to gain her favors in whatever way possible.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Emily was still standing awkwardly next to his bed when he demanded in a firmer tone this time around, “Will you sit down and eat already? I won’t repeat myself.”
She sat on the other side of the tray and picked at the grapes.
He didn’t bother instructing her to eat anymore, but held up the croissant to her mouth instead, and basically force-fed her the first bite.
“Tasty, see?” His eyes glinted with mischief and a smirk appeared on his face.
She nodded and then proceeded to eat. She didn’t want him to act so casual with her, bring her hopes up, only to crush them later on.
She had kind of gathered from the housekeeper’s reaction that he was acting out of character.
She only needed to find out why.
No, you don’t need to find out anything! The sensible part of her all but screamed at her. You two don’t belong together. Period.
Her inner slut had other thoughts regarding him.
She remembered the dream she had the previous night. It wasn’t an innocent one, that was for sure. She seriously needed to control her raging hormones.
She’d have to work on getting up earlier to have enough time for breakfast.
That’ll be a pain, she inwardly winced. She was already waking up early enough in her book.
His phone soon enough went off.
He scowled, turned to her and said with an eye-roll, “Work.”
Why was he even explaining to her what the phone call was about?
She nodded, and was halfway up on her feet, when he grabbed her hand and made her sit again.
She had to repress the urge to glare at him.
Wordlessly, he pointed at her unfinished croissant and the remaining grapes, and then took the call, “My dear Clifford, it’s only been a day and some.”
Emily could only guess that young master Theodore was some big shot in the business world, and his company needed his immediate attention.
She resumed eating because she didn’t want to piss him off. Besides, he was being a disturbingly caring employer. How could she not oblige him?
She tried hard not to get aroused by his deep voice. She liked how authoritative he sounded when he spoke, “You know the drill. I don’t want to be called for petty matters in August. You can handle the situation with the Russians by yourself. What do you mean no? I pay you to handle such things.”
He paused, pinched the bridge of his nose, took a grape from the plate, popped it in his mouth, and then carried on, “You know what? Schedule the damned meeting. And this better be the last time you call me in August, lest you want to get fired.”
And with that, he hung up.
By the time he ended the phone call, Emily was positively dripping for the man. She never would have guessed she would be so aroused by someone’s assertiveness.
It was hell-a sexy.
“Are you feverish by any chance?” He asked, the ghost of a smirk on his face.
“No,” she squeaked out.
Well, I am all kinds of hot and bothered for you, but that’s not what you want to hear.
“You could have fooled me,” he observed. “You face is flushed.”
She bit on her bottom lip in nervousness and averted her face. “I’ll be fine in a few.”
“If you say so,” his words were kind of derisive.
“Are you taunting me, Mr. King?” She spoke her mind up before she could help herself. And tempting me with your bare chest? That much, she was glad she didn’t say it.
God have mercy, what did I do? She thought in utter mortification.
“I’m wounded,” he chuckled. His throaty chuckle did things to her that should not be allowed. “I have never engaged in such an activity…”
“Uh-hum…”
“Yet here I am doing my very best to flirt.”
He has never flirted? She inwardly frowned.
Then, it dawned on her. He was trying to flirt – with her.
Was he as attracted to her as she was to him?
She squashed down the hope before it could bloom into something else. “Kindly do not tease me.”
His only response was a chuckle.
So he was indeed only playing with her… the thought almost brought tears to her eyes. She wouldn’t show him how much his words affected her. He’d only think she was a fool for believing him in the first place. Instead, she just rose to her feet and announced, “I’ll start by cleaning the bathroom if that’s okay with you.”
“Okay,” he said simply, having sobered up, it would seem.