11. Masaccio
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Masaccio
I push myself off the bed almost as soon as it’s over.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me - I feel - overwhelmed. I feel weird.
Glancing down at her, for a moment, I can’t help but think how beautiful she is.
But then I shake my head, forcing the thought away. I turn to grab my things and leave the room. I just need to get out of here. That’s all.
I got caught up in the moment. The idea of someone wanting me so intensely that they could tell the difference between my identical twin brother and myself - someone I don’t even know very well -
She didn’t just want to experience losing her virginity - she wanted me.
No one else.
I sigh heavily. Forcing the air out of my lungs as though I am trying to throw these ridiculous thoughts out with it.
That felt too good.
That’s the problem.
It felt fucking incredible and almost as soon as I walk away from her - I want more.
I storm into my room and close the door.
Dammit.
I should never have done that.
I’ve made a massive mistake giving in to that urge.
But fuck. She was standing there, angry - angry because it wasn’t me kissing her. She made me feel - something.
And her body. That shred of fabric she was holding up against herself hid nothing.
It was just impulse.
I acted on impulse and did not think that through.
But it’s fine.
I’ll get some sleep and tomorrow things should be more settled.
She got what she wanted - and now she can step back and leave me the hell alone.
Besides, she’ll probably still be mad as hell about Tuomo going into her room first. She might just be over me which would be a relief.
All night I toss and turn in my bed.
I have these stupid images in my head of being in her bed. I can’t stop thinking about it.
When I fall asleep, I dream about her, sitting on top of me, rocking her hips over me as she throws her hair back.
“Mas?” Her voice drags me from my dream into the real world. I blink, my face pressed against my pillow.
“What?” I groan, without turning towards her. I’m so tired. I hardly slept at all. Why is she in my room?
“I made you breakfast in bed.” She says, sweet as ever.
“I’m not hungry.” I mumble. Even though I’m starving.
“Ok, I’ll just leave it here for you.”
I hear her putting the tray down on my bedside table.
Then her footsteps fade out of the room, down the passage.
I sit up, looking over at the food.
Coffee. Creamy and dark.
I reach for it right away.
She made toast with bacon, egg and fried tomato.
It looks so damn good.
I tilt my head, listening for her, but she’s gone.
So, I pick up the tray and eat the breakfast.
I carry it down to the kitchen when I’m done and put the plate in the washer so she can’t see it. For some reason I don’t want her to know that I enjoyed it.
She comes into the kitchen while I’m making my second cup of coffee.
I feel her hands, tracing over my sides from behind. She presses her body against my back, hugging me. “I can make that for you?” Heat spreads through my body at her touch. My cock stirs, eager for a repeat of last night.
I step away from her, getting the milk out of the fridge even though I don’t need it yet.
“No, I can make my coffee. You don’t need to make me breakfast in the morning either. Thank you. But I can sort myself out.”
She giggles and then replies.
“I enjoyed making breakfast for you. Don’t be silly. What did you want to do today?” She slips her arms back around me now that I’m standing back at the coffee machine with the milk on the counter next to me, I have nowhere to run now. No reason to turn away. I clench my jaw, holding back an annoyed snarl. My body wants her so badly. My mind wishes she would leave me the hell alone.
“I don’t know what I’m doing today. You can do whatever you want.”
“I thought maybe we could go for a walk or go out somewhere?”
“No.” I say.
She shrugs. “That’s ok. I know it was last minute. We can make plans for another time. What are you doing for dinner tonight?”
Is she really so blind to my more than obvious body language? I am not interested. Do I need to spell it out for her? I turn to stare down at her, my eyes narrowed, nothing comforting or soft about my glare.
“I don’t know what I’m doing for dinner tonight, Leora. You must do whatever you want. Don’t worry about what I have planned.”
“Ok.” She smiles. But still seems un-phased when she leans her head against my shoulder.
Oh, my fuck. I need to get away from her.
“I forgot. I have a meeting. I’ll get coffee on the way.” I say, pushing away from the kitchen counter and walking out because I can’t handle how clingy she’s being and how it’s making my body heat with anticipation .
She clearly assumes that because of last night we are somehow super close now.
She is the most na?ve and clueless person I’ve ever met.
I don’t actually know how to handle it. So, I think the best thing is if I just get out of here for the day. She can simmer down. Maybe get the message while I’m gone.
Dammit.
It really doesn’t help that I am so fucking attracted to her.
I get dressed in a hurry, then rush downstairs to grab my car keys. She isn’t here, thank goodness, she must be in her room.
I pull the door closed behind myself and even though I do not know where I’m going, I’m happy to be out of the house where I can breathe a little.
It’s late when I get back home, almost nine o’clock. I made a point of staying out until after dinner time, sitting at the bar alone having a beer and wondering what the hell is going on in my life.
I push the front door open and the rich aroma of roast lamb rushes over me.
It smells incredible.
I peak my head into the kitchen, relieved that she isn’t there. She must have eaten and gone up to her room already.
I scratch around in the kitchen, not finding the food, wondering where she would have stored the leftovers.
“Odd.” I mumble. Maybe she left it on the dining room table for the housekeeper to sort out in the morning.
I make my way through the living room and into the dining room.
She’s sitting at the table, smiling, wearing the most gorgeous tight red dress I have ever seen.
Her hair is falling loose over her shoulders and the entire room is lit with candles, flickering and casting moving shadows around the room.
On the table she has set up two placemats. The roast lamb is on a board in the center, and surrounding it are potatoes roasted to crisped perfection, green beans tossed with garlic mushrooms and butternut squares.
My mouth is watering - for the food and for her in that incredible dress.
“Mas - um - surprise.” She says with a shy giggle.
My lips curl in a snarl as I bite back my annoyance.
“I thought I told you not to worry about me for dinner?”
“You did, but I really wanted to just - do something nice - to surprise you.” She stands up and walks around the table towards me. Her hips swaying and the candlelight making her skin glow.
She slips her hands around my waist and lifts her head as though she wants to kiss me.
I turn my head away.
“I’m going to bed.” I mutter, dark and moody.
“Oh, but—”
“Night, Leora.” I step away from her and hurry out of the dining room.
My stomach churns in anger as I walk away from the incredible dinner she prepared. But how can I sit there in romantic candlelight and eat with her? What kind of message would that give her?