Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,88

a couple of things for you, Miss Shaw. You mentioned somewhere along the line last night that your spare set of house keys are with your parents. I think the red dress looks spectacular on you, but I wouldn’t go over there in that.”

“Of course.” Her eyes widen. “Yeah, no, I couldn’t wear the red dress.”

I can see that something else is on her mind. “Milk? Sugar?” I hold up the mug.

“Yes, please…just one.” She’s frowning when I hand her the mug. “Thanks.” She chews on her lower lip. “I’m having flashbacks from last night. I’m hoping this one isn’t true…”

I nod. “Tell me.”

She takes a sip of her coffee and then gives the cup a double-take. “Wow! That’s good.”

“They’re Harrar beans from Ethiopia. One of my personal favorites.”

She puts the cup down. “I’m imposing. I should get dressed and get going.”

“Drink the coffee, Miss Shaw.”

She nods and picks up the mug, taking a seat at the counter.

“You wanted to ask me something about last night. Also, I ordered some food. I thought you might be hungry.”

Her stomach gives a loud grumble. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a loud protest…ever.

Her eyes widen, and she puts a hand on her stomach. “I usually eat four or five times a day.”

I laugh. “I had a feeling you would wake up hungry.”

She takes a big sip of her coffee and then puts it down. “Okay, I need to know,” she covers her face with her hands, “did I beg you to have sex with me?” I see her whole body stiffen. She doesn’t so much as breathe. Then she pulls in a breath. “Did I tell you to please give me the updated contract because I wanted to sign it, and then…um…beg you to…erm…have sex with me?” She opens her fingers a crack and peeks at me with one eye.

“You had too much to drink, Miss Shaw. Don’t worry about it.”

She groans, her shoulders slumping. “I’ll take that as a yes. I’m so sorry. I’m never drinking again. I clearly can’t handle it.” She pinches the bridge of her nose. “I’d better get dressed.”

“Let’s eat first.”

Her stomach grumbles again. “That might be a good idea. Then I’m getting dressed and out of your very well-loved, three-gel hair. I owe you big time, Bolt. Starting with a new electric toothbrush.”

“You don’t owe me anything. I don’t mind.” In truth, I’ve enjoyed having her here. I enjoy her company. Even tipsy as hell, she’s fun to be around. Stripped of all her inhibitions, I caught a glimpse of her wants and desires. Of her needs.

I grab the food containers out of the fridge. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I ordered a whole range of items.” I put the first container in the microwave to start heating.

I hear her gasp. “Wait! What? I’anatra Grassa,” she reads off of the container. “Do they have a restaurant on this side of the country?”

I shake my head once. “I wasn’t sure what food to get you. What you liked. I know you enjoyed The Fat Duck, so I had Trevor get us some food from—”

Her eyes widen. “You flew Trevor to Los Angeles to bring back food from I’anatra Grassa?” She sounds completely shocked.

“I have a private jet, Miss Shaw. I have to pay my staff regardless. I may as well use the resource.” In truth, I had hoped to impress her. I know that’s fucked up, but…there it is. I’m feeling warm inside to see her enthusiasm.

Miss Shaw jumps up off the chair and throws her arms around me. She buries her head in my chest, much like last night, only she’s very much sober this time. “I can’t believe you did all this.” Her voice is muffled.

I just stand there for a moment, then I put my hands on her back. She feels good against me like this. Like she fits somehow. “It was no trouble, and you should believe it. It’s really easy doing things for you.” I mean it. I want to do so much more.

She pulls away, but not entirely. She looks up at me. Her eyes are wide. I’m not sure what comes over me in this moment, but I cup her face with one of my hands. Actually, I do, it’s her eyes. They pull me in. I trail my thumb over her bottom lip.

Miss Shaw does the unexpected. She pulls away. Her eyes clouding.

Fuck!

It’s always two steps forward and three steps back with her. “What? No ‘thank