Page 15 of Mine to Claim

“I don’t want to go to bed just yet,” I whispered. He froze. His eyes widened and his mouth parted. Then I realized how that came across. Waving my hands in front of me, I shook my head.

“Wait, that’s not it. I meant like… do you want to grab a snack with me?”

“That sounds good.”

We walked to the kitchen in silence and I felt like an idiot for making it awkward. When we walked in, the lights flickered on. I didn’t get a good look yesterday, but it was as beautiful as the rest of the house. High vaulted ceilings, a large island I’d seen unsanitary things happen on, large windows that I knew would give an amazing view during the day. A dinner table that had to be as long as the ones in Harry Potter. There was a fireplace at the far end and I sighed.

“Dani was lucky to grow up in such a beautiful place,” I murmured as I made my way over to the fridge.

“What sounds good?” Evander asked.

“Cereal,” I groaned. Pulling it open, I grab the milk. When I looked at my partner in crime, he was grabbing bowls from the floating cabinets.I know I shouldn’t eat after how much I drank, hell, I should just go to bed, but I’m not doing that. And I need to sober up.He grabbed a few boxes from the massive double-glass door marked ‘pantry’. He dropped them on the island and I squealed when I saw Honey Bunches of Oats in the mix. I jumped onto the island and laughed when I didn’t make it. I was pressed against the cold counter, as Evander walked over and I froze when his hand circled my waist and lifted me up. He flipped me over effortlessly, and I tensed at the show of strength. Parker did a number on me, but Evander was bigger than him. I hated that fear that curled my stomach as he placed me on the counter.

“You okay there?” Evander laughed.

“Yes, I just underestimated it,” I said, determination lacing my tone. He smirked as he handed me my bowl and grabbed the Coco Puffs, while I grabbed the better cereal pouring it into mine. He did the same, and I filled them both with milk. I picked my bowl up and held it to him.

“You gonna lift me up like Simba next?”

He snorted. “You want the theme song with that?”

“Only if you sing it dramatically,” I said, grinning wide. I clanked our bowls together.

“Cheers!” I said happily before grabbing a spoon and digging in.

“Cheers,” he chuckled, spooning cereal into his mouth.

The door opened, our heads turned, and I almost dropped my bowl. Because in walked a man I had no business being that excited to see.I don’t know how it’s possible, but he’s even more tense than when I saw him earlier.Power rolled off him and I avoided his gaze as he neared. Ignoring the way I want to run my fingers along his forearms.

Fuck.

I’m not sober enough for this.

Thankfully, I’m not alone with him.

Evander cleared his throat and I turned in time to see his eyes go from a silvery white to brown. He bowed his head before glancing at me. I was about to ask him to help me down when he headed out the way Grayson came. My jaw dropped as I watched him disappear, leaving me alone with Dani’s dad.

What the fuck just happened?

Chapter 9

My head was spinning.Why would Evander just leave without a word?Grayson dismissed him.That’s the only thing that makes sense, but why? Does he want to talk about last night? Is this about me partying with his daughter?That was just hopeful thinking. A part of me couldn’t deny it–he was jealous. This had to be about what I saw. Slowly, he strode closer like a predator stalking prey.He moves elegantly for a man that looks like the room should shake with each step he takes.My heartbeat quickened the closer he got until it was pounding so loud it roared in my ears. Then he was in front of me and I craned my neck to hold his gaze. He was so close, I could feel his body heat. The scent of cedar wood burning hit me first, and I inhaled deeply.

Oh.

That’s good.

I wanted to reach out and touch him, to trace the scars marring his exposed arms. Even with the heels, my feet dangled mid-air. Those red eyes held me captive and I swallowed the lump in my throat as I rubbed my thighs together. This was the third time my body had had a reaction just by him looking at me. It reminded me of the night before and I wondered what it would feel like to have his hands on me, his chest to my back, his powerful thighs behind me. His gaze narrowed, and his breathing deepened, his fists clenched.I wonder if he feels it too. This attraction. I can’t take the silence a second longer.

“Dani’s upstairs. I didn’t leave her at the club,” I blurted the first thing that came to mind.Because what else would he want?Leaning down, he placed his hands on the counter on each side of me. And my breathing was erratic because he’d caged me in and all I could think about was the veins popping out of his thick forearms.

“What were you doing with him?” he asked, completely ignoring my words. The first words out of his mouth were gravelly, deep, and set goosebumps down my arms.Can a woman cum from just a voice?I blinked and backtracked.Wait.

“Excuse me?”I’m confused because this can’t be.

“What were you doing with Van?”

My thighs spread as he eliminated the space between us. My throat ran dry as inch after decadent inch was pressed against my body. It was even better than when he caught me. My eyes widened as something hard dug intomy ribs.

---