Chapter 21
After locking up the club, I headed upstairs. It had been a relatively quiet night—just a handful of regulars and a few curious newcomers who’d signed up thanks to Elin’s streamlined membership process. The thought of her made me pause at the elevator. She might still be in the office.
Earlier, around eleven, I’d brought her dinner. The raised eyebrows and mouth slightly open when I’d appeared with the container had been almost comical.
“Did you poison it?”
Laughing, I’d taken it to her desk and placed it in front of her. “I just noticed you hadn’t been down to eat and thought I’d prove that I do trust you as my partner. As such, I need you to have a clear head so shit doesn’t get messed up.”
She’d smiled brightly at me. “Careful or I’ll think you actually like me.”
“You should head home. It’s getting late.”
“Once I finish this.” She’d turned back to her laptop without another glance, dismissing me as easily as swatting away a fly.
I’d lingered a moment too long, which had finally made her look up with a sigh.
“There’s still so much to sort through here.
These membership applications won’t process themselves, and the vendor contracts are a mess. ”
Getting to my knees, I’d kissed her thigh and looked up at her.
“Goddess . . .” As she’d looked down at me, for the briefest of moments, I’d thought her gaze softened as she’d reached out and cupped my face.
When she didn’t say anything, I’d continued, “I am grateful for everything you’ve done since you started here.
Can I show you how much?” I’d wanted to make her writhe in pleasure, had wanted the taste of her on my tongue since I’d seen her in the storage room.
“And let dinner get cold after my pretty boybrought it to me? I appreciate the gesture, Gavriel. Go back down to the club. Enjoy yourself.”
I’d nodded but waited for her to dismiss me. Her fingers had raked through my hair and gripped at the base of my skull, pulling my head back, drawing a moan from my lips. A wicked smile had crossed her face as she’d leaned down and kissed me softly—her lips gentle. “Go. Save playtime for later.”
Standing, I’d made my way back downstairs and wandered the main hall, but while there’d been plenty of offers, I hadn’t been interested.
Regardless of the fact that Elin and I had agreed to be exclusive, I only wanted her.
I’d been a man whore, but now, my body recoiled at the thought of spending time in any of the playrooms with anyone other than Elin Perkins, my Goddess.
I’d rubbed my hand over my face. What is wrong with me?
Hours later, as the doors to the elevator opened on the third floor, I saw light coming from under the door of her office.
Knocking, I didn’t hear anything, so I quietly opened it, only to see her flopped over on her desk.
My heart stuttered a moment, as I thought something had gone wrong, but when I heard a soft snore, I chuckled and relaxed.
Taking my blazer off and tossing it on the chair as I passed it, I rounded the desk.
She had changed into a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt, and when I reached her, I brushed the hair from her face.
My breath caught in my throat at the simple beauty of her.
She’d even taken her makeup off and put her long blonde locks mostly up in a messy bun.
“You are gonna wake up with your back and neck hurting, my Goddess.” My voice was light as I talked to myself. She was completely out. After I lifted my gaze to the couch and then to the closet, it was an easy decision to pull the bed out and get her settled.
No more than ten minutes later, I had her all tucked in. She’d barely woken up when I laid her on the mattress. What had surprised me, though, was how she had grabbed my hand and gripped it tight as she’d muttered my name.
Not pretty boy, but Gavriel.
Sitting beside the bed, still holding her hand, I stared at her. I wasn’t thinking of anything specifically as I watched her sleep, but at some point, I started smiling. There was no doubt this woman had me completely under her spell.
Would Joel be okay with me having . . . feelings for his daughter?
I’d had the thought before, but this time it felt different. Deeper. More intense. Like I would do anything for her.
Would I go against my father for her?
I was surprised at how quickly the answer of “absolutely” came to mind.
There was so much she didn’t know. While I knew one of the reasons she hated me so much was because of my actions surrounding Joel’s death, I wondered if she had been so adamant about being part of this partnership because she could make our lives hell.
She would have more access to and knowledge about the family business.
But she hasn’t poked into that at all. She dismisses it every time and never asks questions.
Resting my head on the side of the mattress, I took a shaky breath. I couldn’t blame her for hating me. Until she became my Goddess, I had never treated her with respect. Hell, to say I’d treated her like shit would have been a kindness.
Elin Perkins was a strategic and brilliant woman.
“Gavriel . . . my pretty boy,” she muttered as she smiled in her sleep.
Reaching up to run my finger along her brow, I realized just how hard I’d fallen for the woman. Yet, it didn’t scare me. It should have, but it didn’t. She had me firmly wrapped around her finger, and I would do anything for her.
I might be my father’s talon, but if anyone went after her or harmed her in any way, they would see the true darkness that cradled my soul.