He and my stomach win out. I part my lips and take the bite. The taste explodes into my mouth the second it hits my tongue. A small moan leaves me. “I think you’ve gone and ruined me,” I half joke.
“That’s the plan.” He gives me another bite before he spoons me some of the truffle mac and cheese.
“I had no idea how good the food is here.”
“You’ve never had it?”
“Have you seen the prices?” The items on the fancy menu don't actually even have the prices on them! I’d asked once ‘cause I can be a bit too curious for my own good sometimes. Once they told me how much it cost, I never asked again.
“I suppose I have.” He brings another bite to my mouth. I really should take the fork from him, but I don’t. I let him feed me. This has all been so crazy. Why stop at this point?
“You don’t want any?”
“I’m enjoying feeding you,” he says easily.
“You’re not what I expected.”
“You’re not what I expected to find in my bed either, but here we are.” He smirks.
Hunter is handsome, but when he smiles, it’s something else altogether. It takes the air right out of my lungs. I have a feeling it’s not something he does often.
I find myself relaxing the more I’m with him. Hunter Hoffman doesn't seem cold or mean at all. Well, not to me at least. I guess he did snap at a few of the other people. No one has ever been this kind to me before. I have no idea what to make of that.
“I really can’t eat more,” I say when he brings yet another bite to my mouth.
“All right.” He gives, putting the fork down. My eyes start to grow heavy again, but I fight it. I don’t want to go to bed right now. I’m too curious about what’s happening here, but I find myself getting sleepier by the second. All that warm, rich food is heavy in my stomach.
“There is a contract?” I yawn. I’d caught that word when I came back into the room earlier.
“Let’s talk about that tomorrow. You’re exhausted.” I let out a small scream when he suddenly lifts me into his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“Putting you back to bed.”
“Here? Really?” I’d seen all my stuff. Like everything else, I wasn't sure of what to make of it.
“You seemed to enjoy the bed, and the shelter is full,” he reminds me.
He doesn’t take me to the bed but back into the master bathroom, where he sets me on the counter next to the sink. He opens one of the drawers and pulls out a toothbrush, pulling the plastic off it before applying toothpaste. “Let me get you something to wear.” He hands me the toothbrush, leaving the bathroom before I can try to respond.
I slip off the counter and begin to brush my teeth. He comes back a moment later with a shirt in his hand and lays it on the counter before leaving the bathroom again. I quickly change and wash my face. When I exit the bathroom, he’s pacing back and forth with his phone in his hand. He’s undone a few buttons of his collared shirt and even rolled up his sleeves. His shoes are also gone, leaving his feet bare. He stares down at his phone, intently reading something.
“Am I really sleeping here?”
“Yes.” He pockets his phone.
“Where will you sleep?”
“I can take the couch.”
“What!” I squeak, shaking my head. “You can’t do that. I can sleep on the sofa.” I’ve already inconvenienced this man enough; there is no way that I’m taking his bed and allowing him to sleep on the couch.
“Not happening.” He walks over to the bed, pulling the covers back. “In.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. His face is so serious. I walk over, doing as he tells me.
“The bed is big.”
“Don’t.”
“Right, sorry.” My face flushes.
“You don’t know what you’re asking for or how tempting you are to me.” My heart flutters.
He thinks I’m tempting? Hunter is all man. I’d consider myself cute on a good day. I don’t think there is really anything sexy about me. To be honest, I’ve never really had the time to even try to be sexy. It’s the last thing on my mind when I have to worry about surviving each day.
“I trust you.” The words leave my lips easily. I shouldn’t trust him or anyone really. I might be naïve in some ways, but in others I understand the world a bit too well.
“Angel.”
“All I’m saying is the offer is there. The bed is big.” I snuggle down into the bed.
“Sleep. We’ll talk in the morning, but know everything will be fine. I promise you that.” He knows the right thing to say to bring me comfort. I smile up at him, wishing I had something I could give him for his kindness.