Page 16 of Hostile Rival
“You’d need to sleep in it first,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.
“Wow,” he says and chuckles. My hearing pricks, soaking up the sound. “You’re pissed I left you alone after our argument.”
I fold my arms across my chest and smile inwardly, noting his gaze briefly drop to my squashed breasts. Horny asshole.
“We argued?” I ask, mildly amused, and turn back to the mirror. “You’re the one who got all pissy. I wasn’t bothered in the slightest. In fact, I was glad to climb back into bed…alone…in my room.”
He stares at me, the silent intensity making my face flush. What the hell, that never happens. “What are you doing?”
“I’m looking at you.”
“Why?”
He shrugs. “I appreciate what you did for me. That’s all.” Our gazes lock for a heartbeat. “And I’d prefer if you kept the whole insignificant, minor cut thing between us.”
I swallow and hope he doesn't notice the way my heart is thumping. “You want me to lie to our commander?”
He pushes off the door frame and casually advances, stopping when his bare toes are next to my foot. Before my next inhale, his whole body crowds me.
We’re closer than ever, even when I’d made it clear it wouldn’t happen again. Staring at him, I can tell he hasn't shaved in a day or two and his smooth muscular torso has my belly doing somersaults. Fuck, I hate him even more for making me feel shy.
I frown when he reaches behind my back. His fingertips graze the bare skin between my shoulder blades, setting off a flurry of delicious chills.
“Hands off…” I warn, tingling all over and hoping the subtle shiver he’d conjured goes unnoticed. “Don’t have me repeat myself again. I do enjoy a good drowning. Did you know a person can easily drown in a shallow puddle if you paralyze them first? The stats of fatal slips and falls in the bathroom are pretty high. Freak accidents happen, even to smartasses,” I quip, amused.
My eyes cut to the shower cubicle and back to him. “Or perhaps I could break your fingers, one by one. Although, that would likely end with me having to bind them, so your big brother doesn't come for me. But you would have a fucked-up hand forever more. Kind of poetic, really.”
“Poetic…” A devastating smile stretches his lips, and my stupid knees go weak. “I’m touched you’d go to all the effort of binding them up as well. Here’s what I think. You like being close to me.”
“Read the room, smartass. I just threatened to kill you.” He cocks his head and stares at me as if trying to read me or wondering if I’d really do it. “Keep your hands to yourself.”
“Relax. You had a brand label sticking out of your skimpy little bra top, Dani. I was only tucking it in and didn't mean to make you shiver like that.” His hand falls away and I instantly miss the sensation of touch. “Anyway, it’s not a lie if you don’t say anything. Dragon won’t ask. So don’t run to him like the teacher's pet and offer any extra information.”
I narrow my eyes and elevate my chin, squaring up to him. “I’m no one’s pet. Now get lost. I want to take a shower.”
Minty breath warms my cheek as he looms over me, his pelvis tight to my hip, pinning me against the vanity. “Yeah, you need a cold shower, little firecracker.” He smirks. “Your skin is hot, and I can smell your arousal. Weird that––huh? Given you don’t want me to touch you.”
I arch a brow at him. “Seems like brains don't account for common sense. Surely you can put two and two together to figure out it was the Pilates session I just finished on the sunny terrace that made me warm. You saw me, right? I know it was you spying on me like a horny teenager. You’re the only one who gets aroused around here.”
“Yeah, you’d lie for me.” He winks and I have to look away. “Because you’re really good at it.” Matheus steps backward. “You’re quick to think I wouldn’t punish you for breaking my fingers. I’d enjoy teaching you an important lesson in respect, using myfucked-uphand to repeatedly touch you.”
Ebony lashes bat languidly as he takes in every inch of me. And he does ever so slowly. Matheus stands there, trailing his gaze from my eyes to my mouth, and all the way down to the thrumming vein in my neck.
His avid assessment wanders over my flesh like the first kick of a successful hit when I’m proud of myself for assassinating another bad guy. I like having his attention. Not that it would last. Once I’ve learned as much as I can from Dragon, I’m gone.
“Break my fingers and I’ll break yours in return. An eye for an eye and all that.” He adds.
Matheus rakes a hand through his damp, chaotic hair and does a one-eighty, sauntering into the bedroom. My eyes are trained to his every step, how he carries himself with an air of authority and supremacy.
I press a hand to my belly, trying to quell this unsettled feeling.
Snap out of it, Dani! This is not you, and Matheus is not the reason you’re here.
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DANIELA
PAST
