Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Ipinch my arm. Because surely, I’m dreaming.
I did not wake up in the home belonging to a freaking god of a man who just said he wants to cook me breakfast. I’m trying not to hyperventilate at the fact Neo’s mother told him to bring me to family dinner.
Obviously, that’s not happening, but that can be his problem to tell her. Not mine.
Neo struts back into the kitchen—yes, struts is the only way I can describe the way he walks in. Sweatpants hung low on his hips and absolutely nothing covering the top half of his body. My mouth waters at the sight. All hard muscle decorated with tattoos.
“How many hours a week do you spend in the gym?” I blurt out, because to be as toned as he is, it has to be a lot.
Neo’s lips tilt up the side of his mouth. “A bit. You like working out?”
I snort. “I’m allergic to any and all forms of exercise.”
“Well, fuck, that’s a shame,” he says.
“Why?”
Neo leans in. I don’t move back, even though I want to. I force myself to stay still. “Because that body of yours was made for fucking, solnishko, and that happens to be the most fun form of exercise,” he says before stepping aside.
My mouth drops open. Did he seriously just say that to me?
I get it. I’m not stupid. A man does not just help a woman out of the kindness of his heart. He expects payment, in the form of her body. I’ve been getting comfortable with him, letting my guard down a little. I’ve been a fucking idiot.
“Now, what would you like for breakfast?” Neo asks.
“What?” Now he’s talking about food? He just said he wanted to fuck me and now he wants to feed me?
“Breakfast. You need to eat.” Neo opens the fridge, and I get a view of his back. This is my chance. I can make it to the front door before he even knows I’m gone. Without thinking twice, I’m off the stool and running.
I miscalculated, because I don’t even make it halfway before a pair of strong arms wraps around my body and I’m lifted off the ground.
“No, stop! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I won’t run again. Please stop!” My hands automatically cover my face, trying to lessen the blows I’m sure are coming my way.
“Whoa, solnishko. It’s okay.” Neo walks through the house, and then he’s settling me down on the sofa and squatting in front of me. He takes hold of my hands and pulls them aside. “What happened?”
“Please… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to run. I just… I won’t do it again.” It’s a lie, but if it will appease him, I’ll make it believable.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Caitlyn,” he says. But that’s what they all say. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. What did I do that scared you so much you thought you had to run?”
“Nothing. You didn’t do anything,” I tell him.
“Okay, I’ll wait.” He stands and then sits on the sofa opposite me.
I don’t know how long we’ve been doing this, staring at each other, but I can’t look away. He’s seriously just sitting there. Not doing anything. Not saying anything. The sound of his phone snaps me out of my stupor.
“Your phone is ringing,” I announce.
“Whoever it is can wait. I’m talking to you right now,” he replies.
Except we’re not talking. We’re just staring at each other. And sometimes, that’s worth more than words. Because the way he’s looking at me, with so much patience and kindness… I’ve never seen that in a man before. It makes me want to believe he’s different. Again, I’d be stupid to trust that.
“We can do this all day, Caitlyn. Or you can just tell me what I did to fuck up and scare you, so I can fix it,” he says.
“You said you were going to… have sex with me,” I whisper.
Neo’s eyes widen. “First, I said I wanted to fuck you. Whether or not that happens is totally your call, Caitlyn. I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do,” he insists. “Second, do you not like sex?”
I’ve never had sex that was enjoyable. Therefore, the answer to that is a strong no. But when I look at Neo, there are urges—ones I’ve also never had before.
“It’s not at all what the movies and books claim it to be. It’s not that great,” I admit.
“You just haven’t had it with the right person if that’s your view.”
“Maybe.” I shrug.
“I don’t know who hurt you, Caitlyn, but I do know that I’m going to find them and I’m going to send them right back to hell,” he says. “Now, next time you don’t like something I say or do, just tell me. I don’t want you to be afraid of me.”
Yeah, that’s never going to happen.
“Okay,” I agree anyway, because I don’t know what else to say. “I really should get home.”
“You are home. I’ve arranged for movers to meet us at your apartment in two hours. You’re taking my guestroom,” Neo says.
“I can’t do that.” I shake my head at him.
“Why the fuck not?”
“Because I can’t. I don’t belong in a place like this. I can’t afford it.”
“I told you it’s rent-controlled. Are you really going to leave me high and dry without a roommate? I’ve been searching for months, and you are the first person I can actually see myself living with.”
“You don’t need a roommate, Neo.” What he needs is a doctor to examine his head. He’s inviting a total stranger to move into his fancy-ass mansion. “You don’t even know me. What if I came here to steal all your fancy things?”
“People don’t steal from me, Caitlyn, but go for it. I can replace anything you feel the urge to take.” He shrugs again.
What does that mean? People don’t steal from him?
Before I can ask or get the courage to ask, Neo stands. “Breakfast. Did you decide what you want to eat?”
“Whatever you’re having is okay.” I take his offered hand and let him pull me up from the sofa.