16. Chapter 16
“Go back to sleep,” Naomi whispered, pressing a soft hand to his chest. “I need to get home. Shower. Get some clean clothes.”
“No, you don’t,” Tony grumbled, dropping his head back against the pillow and pulling her in tighter. His voice was still rough from sleep, deeper than usual. “Quit your job. Stay with me.”
He sighed contentedly as she pressed a string of soft kisses across his chest. That sigh turned into a growl, though, when she wriggled free again.
“I can’t,” she said firmly. “The boys would miss me.”
Tony let her go this time, scowling at the ceiling. Any other woman he’d been with would’ve jumped at the chance to be spoiled rotten. They’d already be demanding a credit card and a new car by now. But Naomi? She was worried about two little demons who threw sand in people’s faces.
He lifted his head just in time to see Naomi’s delectable ass in the air as she fished around under the bed. His scowl softened into something a little more… appreciative. She resurfaced a moment later with her panties in hand.
He smirked. Should’ve shredded those last night.
Live and learn, he thought, amused at the idea of Naomi having to go through the day without them. Then he pictured those two hellions she took care of—and their arrogant excuse for a father. No way in hell was Naomi walking around that house commando.
He should just find her a new job. Something safer. Maybe convince Sal to let her nanny little Gianna.
Then he pictured Catarina’s face whenever she held her baby girl. The bliss there was unmistakable and untouchable. No chance Catarina would let anyone take that away from her. And truth be told, Tony didn’t blame her.
If he had a little girl of his own…?
“Nope,” he muttered, shaking the thought away as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.
He paused, though, his irritation forgotten as he watched Naomi bend again and those perfectly round globes disappeared under her leggings.
Dresses, he decided. He’d buy her lots of dresses. Flouncy ones that would ride up easily and give him all the access he wanted.
Pulling on jeans and a tee-shirt, he leaned against the dresser, watching with amusement as Naomi hunted for her clothes.
The bra she grabbed was—well, practical.
Ugh. But the cotton did nothing to hide how perfect those breasts were, especially when she kept bending over to look under the furniture.
“It’s in the kitchen,” Tony told her at last, his lips twitching at the memory of her losing control last night.
Naomi’s head snapped up, wide-eyed with horror. “The… kitchen?” she repeated.
“Yeah,” he said, strolling over to her and offering his hands. He hauled her up effortlessly and pulled her against his chest. “You’re gorgeous first thing in the morning.”
Before she could protest, he leaned down to kiss her.
“Don’t!” she laughed, clapping a hand over her mouth. “Morning breath.”
“I didn’t even notice,” he said with a low chuckle. Then, as if proving her wrong wasn’t enough, he strode into the bathroom and came back a moment later with two toothbrushes—one still in its package. “Here.” He tossed her the toothpaste.
Naomi caught it midair, giving him a mock glare as she unwrapped the brush.
He turned to the sink, brushing his teeth with brisk efficiency.
For once, he didn’t think about business, or surveillance feeds, or rival crews.
He thought about how absurdly nice it felt to be standing shoulder to shoulder with a woman who made even a mundane task feel oddly intimate.
Her dark hair was a tousled mess, and she kept putting a hand to her chest, as if trying to cover something. But to him, she looked better than she ever had. Still, he knew her well enough already to realize she wasn’t comfortable showering here. Hence her pre-dawn insistence on heading home.
Fine. He’d drive her in her car and have one of his men follow in the Range Rover. That way, she couldn’t argue about him keeping the keys—she’d have them. And she’d drive back tonight.
Checkmate, he thought, his lips curving slightly. He’d won this round. Tomorrow, he’d find another ruse if necessary.
“Here.” He tossed her one of his clean tee-shirts.
Naomi caught it, held it up to her nose, and—much to his amusement—actually inhaled.
He raised a brow.
“Smells good,” she whispered with a smile, tugging it over her head.
Tony’s chest tightened. Damn if she didn’t look better in his shirt than he ever had.
“Okay, I’m ready,” she announced.
“I’ll drive you home,” he repeated, just in case she thought she was going to sneak off in a ride service.
It wasn’t just about convenience. He knew exactly how much she had in her account—barely enough to cover her rent and her monthly student loan payment.
A car service would cost more than she could spare.
The thought made his jaw tighten, then eased into a half smile.
He’d fix that, too. He made a mental note to have her student loan balance quietly wiped clean.
She’d only find out when the final notice landed in her mailbox, and by then, it would be far too late for her to object.
Fifteen minutes later, they stepped out of her shiny red Toyota. Tito had done a damn fine job—the engine purred like a satisfied cat, even giving a little extra growl when Tony pressed the accelerator. He’d make sure Tito got a bonus.
“Thanks for last night,” Naomi said as she rounded the hood to join him on the curb, her cheeks flushed in the morning light. “And for the ride home.”
“Dinner again tonight?” Tony asked. His tone made it sound less like a suggestion and more like a foregone conclusion.
Her grin widened. “Sounds good. I’ll cook this time.”
“Like hell,” he muttered, leaning down to brush a quick kiss over her lips. Soft. Brief. Not nearly enough.
She smiled sunnily up at him. “Later.”
She started toward the doors, but he called out, “Naomi!”
She turned, walking backward now, her satisfied smile making his fingers twitch with the urge to throw her over his shoulder and haul her up to her apartment like a caveman.
Instead, he pulled the key from his pocket and tossed it. Startled, she caught it with both hands, staring down in shock.
By the time she looked up again, he was already opening the door to the waiting Range Rover.
“Seriously, Tony!” she called, her voice sharp with protest. “Take this back!”
He didn’t so much as glance over his shoulder. Sliding into the SUV, he gave a quick wink through the tinted glass, not sure she’d see it.
Still, the quiet chuckle that rumbled from his chest made his driver glance at him in surprise.
Tony ignored it, leaning comfortably back in the seat.