Page 67 of Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires 2)
He mutters curses under his breath, and I bite the inside of my cheek, trying my hardest not to smile. He’s so cute when he’s indignant.
His eyes catch on my mouth, and I can’t help what my lips are doing. Even with everything going on, even with the awkwardness of the last few days, I’m fucking relieved and happy that he’s still looking.
“Come on in.” I gesture for him to follow me.
I’m damn lucky with my setup—nearly eight hundred square feet in a Manhattan apartment overlooking the park is far more luxurious than most ever have access to. I've got old-school tall ceilings with beautiful molding, all the walls painted a brilliant white to offset my style, which is comfortable midcentury. Mads sinks into my couch, a plush deep-teal suede, and lays his coat across my spindly coffee table. Opposite that is a wide, modern chair, big enough to cross your legs. Past that is a tiny seating area tucked in against floor-to-ceiling built-ins, filled with books, music, and greenery.
Not unlike Mads’ setup at his place.
Luca was the one who suggested the plants, and he was right—they add a little something extra to the decor.
“I like your style.” His smile is warm, so I know he’s not just saying it. “If I were a betting man, I would have pegged you for something closer to Luca’s dark librarian aesthetic, but this is bright.”
“I deal with a lot of darkness in my line of work. Needed something brighter to balance it all out.”
Looking past me, Mads’ eyes flash, and he hops up from the couch, crossing the room. “This is a big violin. I mean…it makes sense, of course. You’re huge,” he breathes out, his eyes appreciatively tracking down my body.
Focus, Edgerton.
“It's a viola, actually. I like the deeper sound. It's soothing to me.”
“Oh.”
He looks around my living area, then down again at the instrument, understanding dawning in his eyes. “You have to do a lot to keep your head in the right place, don’t you?”
I nod. “My early life was chaotic. It’s important for me to keep things more ordered so I can maintain a sense of peace.”
The acceptance in his smile is more than I’d bargained for.
“Play me something?” he requests, holding out the viola.
“I will, I promise. But we have to talk about something a little more important first.”
He grimaces and puts the viola back where he found it.
Heading toward the kitchen, I say over my shoulder, “Do you mind if I make you some coffee first? I know you’ve been drinking, and we need to make some decisions pretty quickly.”
“Sure. I'm loose, not drunk, but coffee will help.”
I set the coffee to brew, then grab my electric kettle and favorite tea.
A few minutes later, I make it back into the living room with our mugs and find Mads napping on the couch. Holding back a laugh, I set the mugs down on the coffee table and take in the petite man with the big hold on my heart.
I must’ve been an idiot to think I could follow a rulebook when it comes to him.
Thankfully, this is something I can fix.
“Mads, I need you to wake up.”
He cracks open an eye and smiles. Sitting up, his eyes light up when he sees the mugs. “Coffee!” Even his grabby hands are kinda sexy.
I pull the chair over in front of him so we can look at each other.
“What's this about?” he asks, sipping his coffee. He grins. “I can't believe you actually put enough sugar in this.”
I smile and rub his knee. “I've been watching you drink your coffee for months.”
His eyes drop to my hand, and I regret having to pull away.
