Page 23 of His Vicious Desire

Holy shit, it’s an honest to god laugh that comes out of him.Oh, it is so unfair how gorgeous this man is.I can’t believe a part of me is glad he doesn’t laugh because I would be so fucked if he did it often.I finally understand the word stunned.My whole body is frozen, unable to move for fear of missing a second of him laughing.

He shakes his head.“I’m hoping the weed kicks in fast for both of us.You hungry?Are you ready for me to make you something to eat?”

I consider the question.My body’s reaction isn’t quite as strong as it was yesterday at the thought of food, but it still doesn’t appeal.“No, thanks.I’m not hungry yet.”

“This is why it’s important to phrase it properly.My own damn fault for not saying it the right way.”Gone is the softness to his eyes and his gorgeous face, everything is hard and unforgiving.“What do you want to eat?It’s been almost an entire day since you ate a single bean and cheese burrito.You will eat something.I’ll give you the choice first, but if you don’t choose, I will.”

“Fine.I hate you, and I hope I throw up on you.I’ll take another burrito.Right now, I need a shower.Except I don’t have the stuff I need for my shower.”

“We can go get the stuff you need now.”

“Ew, no.I’m not running around unshowered.That’s gross.”

Rolling his eyes.“I have stuff, including an electric toothbrush with extra toothbrush heads in the linen closet in the bathroom.The shower stuff and deodorant smell like a guy.No vanilla sugary crap, one time isn’t going to kill you.”

Anger flares hot and bright at how he’s treating me like a little kid, speaking slowly and in a soft tone.“You’re such a jerk.Make me the stupid burrito, and I’ll go figure it out.”

Stomping away from him without another word.I slam the door to his room closed.Only to be the one who pays for it when the loud crashing sets off a stab of pain above my left eye.Ouch, fucking hell, that hurts.

I make my way into the attached bathroom on unsteady legs.While I remember I needed my bathroom stuff, I don’t remember what he has that I can or can’t use.I also don’t remember this bathroom, which is crazy because it’s nice.A large four-piece in all-white porcelain and marble, with the toilet in a closet.The shower is a large walk-in with a row of body jets and a handheld showerhead in addition to the overhead rainfall showerhead.The bathtub is huge, large enough to fit two in a deep jacuzzi that has an electronic pad with more buttons than the dashboard of my SUV.

The double sink vanity is a thick slab of marble.Only an electric toothbrush, an electric razor, and a tube of toothpaste are on it.Through the glass walls of the large walk-in shower, I see shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, and a razor in the large cubby hole in the wall.

I open a door and find the linen closet I assumed it would be.There isn’t much in it besides towels and refills to the stuff he’s using.Although I am relieved to find a bottle of expensive unscented lotion that I’ll be able to use after my shower.Two razors for him, but nothing for people who might need it.Sighing, I shake my head, he really never has anyone over—not his brother or women.

I’m going to not think about how sad that feels.I need a shower.Maybe the cool water will soothe my tight and itchy skin and make me stop thinking of Gaetano and his empty house while I do it.

Grabbing a washcloth from the closet and a towel, another sigh escapes me when I realize there is nothing for me to put my hair up with.While it’s been a few days since I washed my hair last, it’s not so dirty that I have to.Since there’s no hair dryer or anything to style it with, I’d rather wait until my next shower to wash it.And I’m good to use his shampoo and conditioner.It’s the kind of stuff you pay forty dollars per tiny bottle for at a salon.

Annoyed, I leave the bathroom in search of my purse for the ties I usually keep in it to put my hair up.When I come out of the long hall, I find the living room empty and Gaetano moving around the kitchen.

Seeing me, he stops.“What’s the matter?”

“I need my purse.For something to put my hair up with so I don’t get it wet.”I explain.

“It’s in the walk-in closet with all of your stuff.I emptied a drawer for you in the island, top one on the right.Do you want to eat this now?”He offers me the burrito.

Suddenly, I’m starving at the smell of it.I take the plate with a shrug and head back to the bedroom.

“Nope, not in there.Sit down and eat where I can watch you.”He shakes his head and nods to the recliners in front of the television.

Rolling my eyes, I sigh and sit down in one.“Fine.Control freak.”

“That’s me.”He agrees as he sits in the other recliner beside me.Picking up the remote, he flicks through the channels until he stops on sports news.

Ugh, I hate sports.A glimmer of a memory shines of him saying the same thing yesterday.“So what happened yesterday?”

Black eyes might be void of emotion, but the air around him is suddenly thick with a tension I don’t understand.“What do you mean?”

Now I’m embarrassed.“I don’t know.I don’t remember much, and it feels weird to forget a whole day.”

“Wasn’t much to it.You cried some, called me some names, and then you were out.”

“Well, that’s informative.”I scan the room.“Do you not like furniture or something?Why is this place so empty?How long have you lived here?”

Those black eyes narrow on me, studying me for a moment.“You really don’t remember yesterday.”

“You answered the question already…yesterday.”The words spill out of me.

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