Manage My Heart (New Year New Me 2)

My face heats as my lips pucker into a pout. If he wanted to know, I’d tell him. Part of me needed to see how far I could push Mr. Perfection. It was a strange trip, being on the other side with him attending to me. What are his limits? “No.” I push the envelope, studying him for signs of irritation. A slow smile curves his lips up at the corners. Is he honestly enjoying this?

“I’m sorry, sweet one.” He kisses my forehead. “Let’s get you settled back in. I’ll wake you in time to get ready.”

I balk at the thought. There are still so many things yet to be handled. “I shouldn’t. We need to see about the room and—”

“You’re always so worried about everyone and everything else.”

“That’s what you pay me to do.”

“Hmm.” He nods. A thoughtful expression softens the planes of his face. “When do you take care of yourself?” His words are an echo of the conversation I had with my sister.

“I do.”

He hums. “I’m not sure I agree.” He places his hand on either side of me, and I try not to squirm. “Remember wh

at I told you last night?”

I lick my lips. “You said a lot of things.” The intensity of his gaze is a heavy weight. The world narrows to the two of us. My breath catches in my chest. No one has ever looked at me like this. Don’t forget this is a game of pretend. He doesn’t know how real it is for you.

“That I take care of what’s mine. Right now, you need to sleep. After that, I’ll make sure you have a full belly before we go to the tour.”

“I’m not a child.”

“No one could ever mistake you for one.” He rakes his gaze over me slowly. “But I think you do need a keeper. You spend all this time reminding me to eat, keeping me on schedule and out of my head. Who does the same thing for you?”

“Me.” My voice is shaky.

“Hmm.” He trails the backs of his fingers down my cheek. “I don’t believe you, sweetness. Now back in bed you go. Lay back.” He speaks like his mouth wouldn’t melt butter. How can one man be so confident fresh out of bed?

Who the hell can sleep with you giving me orders like that? My body obeys, despite the way my mind balks. Traitor. I wiggle, trying to get comfortable beneath the sheets.

“You won’t always get your way, you know?” I mutter as the heavy veil of sleep begins to descend upon me.

His lips curve up into a smirk that makes my belly flip. “We’ll see.”

WESTON

When Adora steps out of the bathroom in a pair of skinny jeans and white sneakers, it’s like seeing her in a whole new light. Her waist is accentuated by the gold chain-length belt and the white camisole she’s tucked in. A mustard yellow blazer with whimsical bees shows off her quirkiness and makes her skin glow. She looks delicious. I want to take a bite of her and see if she’s as sweet as the honey bees produce. Her dark hair is pulled back into a bun, with wisps framing her face. I ignore the urge to wind the strands around my finger.

“I’m all set.” She picks up a dark brown satchel, and I hold out my hand. She rolls her eyes. “It’s not heavy.”

“That’s my job now, sweet one.” I wink. She shakes her head, relinquishing control. It’s intoxicating, allowing my true nature to escape. For years, she’s been the one in control. I didn’t realize how much I wanted this until now. Going back to the status quo is going to be exquisite torture. Slinging the bag over my shoulder, I pull her to my side as we leave.

“No one’s going to try to steal me, you know?”

“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about the messages I want to send.”

A puff of air escapes her lips as she shakes me off and steps away. My arm locks around her, and I return her to my side.

“You’re laying it on extra thick,” she drawls.

“Since you’re mine, I plan to make sure everyone knows it.”

Her eyes darken, and her nostrils flare. I know she’s enjoying it.

“You’ve never had a man who knew how to take care of you properly. I’m going to show you what it should be like.” We lapse into silence as the elevator takes us to the lobby. We step out together, and she pauses in the hallway.

“What?”