Temptation - Leigh Lennon Page 0,35

Eve.

I’m now in a hurry to get to my kitten. I need to see her and, fuck do I want to hold her. My lips form a broad ass smile, when I pull up all my messages, and there are ten plus texts from her. She’s at various states of anger with each new one. In the privacy of my car I keep at the club when I’m not in LA, I begin to read them, but my heart falls with each new one.

The last one gets my attention, more than the others.

My Kitten: Okay, you strive to be an ass. You earned your money today. I’m going to bed. Don’t wake me up, Sir.

The last part is added for good measure to ensure she’s not left leaning over my lap.

Now, this is a challenge—not to wake her up—but then a thought occurs to me. She cooked dinner. I had no food in the kitchen. How the hell did she get groceries? Now I’m equally pissed. If she left my home, she’s in big trouble.

I let myself into the house, and the aroma calls me to the kitchen. I want to be an asshole to her so I don’t feel bad for standing her up. I shouldn’t feel bad. I told her I wasn’t sure when I’d be home, and now, I’m standing near the microwave in the kitchen, looking at the plate she’d made for me. In my hunger, I find remorse, too.

On the plate, with the Saran wrap covering it, is a little note.

Chadwick, Sir:

You’ve been nothing but an ass to me today. Making me sit in coach, just to make a point. I understand—it’s not like I can afford first class—but you did it to be mean, and when I think you’re being nice by leaving bath salts for my pleasure, I wanted to repay you. Sure, I didn’t obey your command. I don’t need to. We’ve been through this, but I made this for you to repay a little for a roof over my head and a job. You even opened up a little about your friends. I’m not sure what I do to deserve your wrath, but I can wait it out. I’m great at ignoring fucking assholes, Sir.

Eve

Pulling out my plate, I uncover it and reheat the pasta. After one bite, I know she doesn’t just know how to cook, but she put love in this dish. Well, fuck, I sound like a girl, but it’s what my body needs after all the booze I had drowned myself in tonight, in my attempt to temper my feelings for Eve.

On my second bite, I’m startled when I hear, “I kind of hope you choke on it.” A noodle is hanging from my mouth, and I wink her way, slurping it up through my lips.

“Classy,” she starts. A glass of wine is in her hand, and when I look closer at her beauty, her eyes are puffy.

“Kitten, have you been crying?” Why does my heart lurch at this idea?

“Yes, Sir. See, there’s this asshole who is trying his best to make me feel like complete shit. For someone who wants to win me over to this lifestyle, it only pushes me further away.”

I push the plate of goodness away from me and approach her. “Kitten.” What do I say? Am I sorry? Yes, one look at the eyes that physically hurt me, I’m so fucking sorry. But to say the words, letting them form on my lips, is quite another thing.

“What, Chadwick? I have ten more days. And I’m not just staying for the hundred G’s but the job. And when I’m done with this ridiculous bet, I’m out of here. You’ve pushed me too far tonight, and you’re lucky your kitten isn’t about to claw your eyes out, Sir.” She walks out of the kitchen, and my eyes follow her until she’s out of my sight. Greer is right. This girl is much more to me than I’ve ever been able to admit.

Chapter Seventeen

Eve

I wake to a note next to my bed, grabbing it immediately.

Kitten,

Pamper yourself today, and when I say that, I mean it. Breakfast will be on the terrace. It’s a beautiful day. After that, I have a masseuse coming in for the morning. Then I’m going to treat you to an iconic California pleasure. I wasn’t here last night to spoil you, and I regret that. Let me do it now, starting with a bath. I’m new at this. I don’t do