Exposed Exposed (Dom Nation #1) - E. Davies Page 0,33

back—far too mature for his age, and unsettlingly calm. He held his hands out like he was soothing a kitten. “No, my apologies. I startled you.”

He was shirtless, which pricked up both ears and something else, too. I bit my lip and tried not to stare at the small, warm pink peaks of his nipples or the faint ripple of abs under his slender, trim waist.

Christ, he was an entire snack.

I shook my head firmly, willing the dizzying wave of arousal away once again. “You’re the one walking into your own kitchen, Rex. I’m the intruder here.”

“What was the purpose of the intrusion?” Rex’s eyes sparkled as he glanced at the LED screen. “Making coffee?”

“For you,” I mumbled, rubbing my neck. My gaze flickered down as Rex came around the edge of the counter. “Or I wanted to.”

Dammit, he was in lounge pants and not… less, like I’d hoped.

Fine, so I had my fantasies of him walking around naked. All the better for me to entice him, right?

I wasn’t usually this oversexed and persistent, but Christ, every time I caught sight or scent of this man, everything in me pulled toward him with an inexplicable tug.

Rex moved effortlessly to slot the silver thing under the hopper, ground the beans, and placed two mugs under the twin silver spouts. Then he grabbed the metal pitcher with a flourish and twirled about to open the fridge. He took a carton of soy milk out. “Latte?” he asked. “Soy milk okay?”

“Sure,” I answered, a little embarrassed that I hadn’t figured the machine myself.

“Phew. I have the temperature set for soy milk. Also, no actual cow’s milk in the house.”

I laughed. “I’m not picky,” I said. “In general.” Then I winced, hoping he didn’t take it as an insult. After all, I’d picked him.

But then again, every now and then I wondered if I overthought things. Maybe everything.

“This is all too fancy for me,” I added in a mutter to cover over that little moment. “I’d just microwave the water if I’d found any green tea lying around.”

Rex grinned. “I noticed,” he said. “I considered ordering a same-day Prime kettle for you.” His voice was teasing, yet gentle—not the cruel daggers of Isaac’s words. “I won’t let you suffer through microwaved water while you’re here.”

He stepped closer, one hand outstretched toward my waist—or lower? Time slowed down as my hopes ricocheted into the ceiling.

I froze against the counter, my heart a staccato jackhammer in my ears, but even then, my stupid, logical brain wouldn’t let me stay hopeful for long.

Nothing about this gesture was what I hoped it would be.

Sure enough, Rex’s fingertips closed around the handle of the drawer next to me. I automatically stepped back, my gaze falling to the drawer as he opened it, and I tried to choke back my disappointment.

Just thinking of him touching me—grabbing my shirt and hauling me in—made me tingle from head to toe. Dressed in my loose pajamas, I needed a moment to recover.

The drawer was full of coffee beans and a wooden tray of tea bag packets.

“Feeling more like a hotel now,” I mumbled. At Rex’s questioning glance, I added, “I’ve been trying to decide: home or hotel for lost boys?”

His teeth flashed in a quick grin, his eyes quick to light up. He took out two long, thin metal coffee spoons from a wooden box and closed the drawer again. It slowed and then thumped shut with a muffled click.

“This is what belongs in drawers,” Rex informed me, setting each spoon on the counter. “Not mugs.”

I clicked my tongue sadly and folded my arms. “Leave my kitchen layout alone.”

Rex’s fingertips closed around my ear, and he playfully tweaked it, his nail scraping along the lobe. Instantly I went stiff and still, my eyes wide as dinner plates.

Fuck. I had it bad. The tiniest scratch of his nails along my body and everything in me wanted to throw myself at his feet.

“Not giving orders, are you?” Rex asked, his voice low and sultry. Jesus. Talk about mixed messages.

I gulped, making sure I still had the power of speech before I answered. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” I whispered, resisting the urge to add a cheeky sir, even though he kept insisting he wasn’t my sir.

No wonder, too. I was out of my league here. Holy crap, I couldn’t even make him coffee. He had it all. There was really nothing I could do for him except offer my service, and he didn’t seem to have