Page 36 of Fixate
If I had, then Dante would have been someone I would have seen that way. He and I were in each other’s pockets for years. I saw him every day in every possible way.
While I knew he was still in love with Preacher, it wouldn’t have stopped me from having a crush or something if I were truly attracted to men.
It made zero fucking sense.
“You’re thinking about it too much, mon chou. There is nothing to break down or assess. No plan to be made other than the next immediate thing, which is to check on all the many things I need to take care of today. I assume you want to tag along to keep up with everything.”
“Yes, please.”
I froze as soon as the words slipped from my lips. Why was I acting like a docile pet? He didn’t need to ask if I wanted to come. I was going either way.
He smiled down at me as if he was reading my mind. “I’m glad you can come and that we rested. You were right to encourage me to do so. I feel leagues better already. Let’s shower, then we can get dressed and go. I assume you brought some suits with you.”
“I did. They may need a quick steam if you have something since they’re in my bag.”
“No need. We can stop by the tailor downstairs on our way out. He’ll get you in something better fitting that won’t need it. Besides, I think I’d like dressing you up.”
A flush worked through me at the greedy way he said it. Like he wanted to prove he owned me in some way by buying me clothing.
I could easily afford my own suit. We both knew it.
And yet… I didn’t argue with him. I think curiosity had me in its clutches. I needed to see how this would all play out. I couldn’t imagine walking away this early on. I had far too many questions.
Pharrell climbed from bed first, his body easing from under me with a gentleness I didn’t know how to respond to. I didn’t have to think about it long thought before he pulled me up next. Hand in hand, we strode to the bathroom where he proceeded to take care of everything I needed from washing my hair to cleaning my body. There wasn’t a single step of the process skipped over.
I soaked up the attention. I’d never been doted on so thoroughly. It was a bit of a mindfuck if I were honest. A man could get used to this treatment far too easily. And with it, I could see myself becoming addicted.
After drying me off, he gripped the back of my neck. My eyes snapped up to meet his. “Go dress in something comfortable. We’ll go straight to the tailor before heading into meetings. Do you need to eat or anything before we leave?”
“No, Da – No! I’m good.”
He grinned, aware of the word I’d almost let slip. “That’s good. Now go do as I said. I’ll get dressed as well. Come to the main room when you’re ready.”
I watched him slip a towel on his hips, then he took off for his own space. A frown came over me as I thought about how he hada whole room I hadn’t even been in, yet the man had seen me come at his touch. What a fucked-up situation.
Things were so far out of order I didn’t have a clue what to do next. I wanted to believe this wouldn’t affect things.
I knew better though. Sex always complicated things.
Sex where one of the partners was very confused only worsened it all.
Oh, and there was that whole Daddy thing too. Let’s go three-for-three on the ‘Ricardo is fucked’ scale of screw ups.
With Pharrell off doing whatever he needed to in his room, I tried to prepare myself to slip back into business mode. I needed to have my head on straight for whatever he was going to show me next. I could only hope it wasn’t as bad as I thought.
Since he didn’t seem all that bothered, I adopted his cool stance while I slipped on joggers and a loose plain shirt. It was the type of outfit one might wear around the privacy of their own home. Normally, I’d never wear it out, but I knew getting fancier than this was pointless.
Pharrell was waiting for me in the living room area. I had to bite back a groan at the sight of him in his suit. The man was attractive in everything he wore, but I could admit that the suit held some weird power over me.
"I'm ready to go," I told him as confidently as I could.
His eyes trailed over my body. His lips curved at the edge as if he was amused by my outfit.
I looked down then back up, struggling when he didn't say anything else. I wasn't going to apologize, and he was getting me a new suit anyway.
Again, what was the point?
We took the elevator down to the main floor of the casino. Pharrell led us through the maze of people to get to the clothing section of stores. We passed a couple of restaurants and even a diamond store on our way.
