I set my coffee cup down on the step before I stand calmly. “Like you had Adela do a background check on me and figure out the basics. That doesn’t mean you know me.”
He takes a step closer to me, closing the already tiny gap and setting off an electrical pulse. It starts off slow, as his hand grazes my fingertips accidentally, and then races faster as it hits every major nerve in my body.
“You’re incredibly stubborn. You won’t take no for an answer. You hate to be controlled. You’re naïve. You’re a bit of a princess who is used to other people taking care of them. Your beauty has gotten you far in life.”
I glare at him, hating where he is going with this.
“But you are also an incredibly strong, intelligent, and fierce woman. One that could put me on my knees with one word. That’s how I know you what you are about to propose.”
He’s right. He knows me better than I want him too.
“And that’s why I’m not going to stick around and listen to it.”
“What?” the word slips out of my mouth more in shock than an actual question. He slips by me, jogging inside.
It takes a second for the shock to wear off and the annoyance to set in. He will too listen to me.
I stomp inside, not even bothering to pick up my coffee mug. I slam the door behind me and then I listen, waiting to figure out where Caspian went.
Shower. I can hear the water on. I smile; the benefits of having a small home.
I take loud steps, making my presence known as I make my way to the bathroom.
Caspian has kicked off his running shoes and is standing in the bathroom with the water running. He sees me, smirks, pushes down his running shorts and flicks them in my direction before stepping into the shower.
I gape for a second as his body disappears behind the glass doors.
“Caspian! You don’t get to end a conversation like that!” I yell when I regain my composure.
He ignores me and grabs the bottle of shampoo.
He doesn’t get to win without even hearing me out.
I stomp to the shower door and throw it open. “Talk to me, damn it!”
Nothing. He pretends I’m not even here. He massages the cream colored liquid into his hair until it begins to lather.
I don’t think. I want him to talk to me, and this is the only way I know how. I rip the clothes off my body and step into the shower.
He continues to ignore that I’m here. Instead, he tilts his head back and closes his eyes as he rinses the shampoo. I stop thinking for a moment while I watch the suds drip down his hard chest.
I shake my head, forcing myself to focus.
“Look at me, Conti!” I yell.
He finally does with an amused expression.
“Yes?”
Damn, I can’t think. All I can do is stare at his lips. I forgot how inviting they are. I want him pressed against mine. And then sucking on every sensitive part of my body.
No.
Focus.
“I want to make a deal. You don’t want me here forever. I’m a liability. I’ll drive you mad. It’s clear you are a loner.”
He shrugs. But he’s listening closely.