THE HIGH-PITCHED BLARING of the smoke alarm jolts me out of sleep and out of bed within a nanosecond. I’m fully fucking alert when I burst through the bedroom door, stumbling out into the hallway, where I’m greeted by an equally dumbstruck and startled Ares. We exchange questioning looks before bolting to the kitchen, where black smoke hovers in the air, the smell sifting through my nose.
Thalia stands by the breakfast island, hands clasped over her ears. What resembles a lump of coal on a baking tray lays on the counter. I slide the terrace door open, letting warm morning air filter out the smoke and the godawful burnt smell.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Thalia clips, arms now folded over her chest.
“I’m sure you woke up the entire street. It’s seven in the morning. Why are you up?” I round the island. “And what was that, supposed to be?” I glare at the lump of coal.
“I was aiming for a strawberry shortcake,” she admits in a defeated tone. “I’m a great cook, but I can’t bake.”
“Why are you baking instead of sleeping?”
She lets out an exasperated huff. “I couldn’t sleep, okay? I keep thinking about that note. I thought Shawn would have some news by now.”
To be honest, so did I. The building manager sent the CCTV footage to him before the forensics team left the condo yesterday. How long does it take to check an hour of footage? Shouldn’t it take like one fucking hour?
“He’ll call as soon as he has anything to tell us. Don’t worry. I’m not leaving you here alone. I’ll work from home today.” I prod and poke the burnt disaster with a fork. “How long was this in the oven? Two days?”
“Forty minutes, but I think I set the temperature too high.”
“It’s honestly enough that you can cook. Forget the cake.” I grab her hand before she wanders away. “Morning,” I say, kissing her forehead. “I’d much rather have you for dessert anyway, little one.”
“Oh,” she mouths, her eyes growing heavy.
I place her hand on my groin and clasp her fingers around my hard cock. “This needs taking care of.”
Before she can say one word, I pick her up and don’t let go until we’re in the bathroom, under the stream of warm water in the shower.
I’m sporting a bad case of morning wood that grows harder as I lather soap over Thalia’s boobs. She returns the favor, rubbing her hands along my body before her small palm latches onto my cock, and she strokes slowly, painfully slow, driving me wild.
“Turn around,” I rasp, planting her hands on the tiles above her head. She takes a wider stance, lifts her chin, and pushes that perfect ass out, meeting the gentle strokes of my fingers on her thighs. “Brace,” I say, guiding my cock inside her hot pussy. I wrap one arm around her ribs, her big boobs resting on my forearm as I fill her with every inch of me. A low growl escapes me once I’m buried to the hilt, and Thalia shudders, gasping softly. “How about that? Tell me you love it when I’m inside you.”
“Make me come.” She throws her head back, exposing her throat, the veins there pulsing, and I almost lose it on the spot.
I slide out, plunging back into her. The hot water trails down her back, forming a trickle where her spine dents, and I whip her dark locks over one shoulder, bending to kiss the nape of her neck, nipping at her silky skin.
I’m still not used to the thought that she’s mine. How the fuck did I land a woman like her? I’m no prize. She could have ten men lining up to take my spot if she’d like, but somehow, Thalia’s oblivious to my flaws. Either that or she notices more good in me than I do.
The wet sound of our bodies connecting fuels my efforts, but no matter the pace, Thalia remains suspended on the tight rope, balancing on the verge of an orgasm. She won’t come unless I put my fingers to work. It’s fucking frustrating to say the least. I’m bending over backwards, pulling every trick known to man, trying every position, but so far, no luck.
I slide my hand down her stomach and lower to circle her clit with two fingers while the pace of my thrusts quickens each time a needy whimper escapes Thalia’s lips.
“You better fucking come for me, little one,” I rasp, my forehead pressed against the back of her head, my fingers doubling the effort. “Let go.”
Her knees buckle, and a loud moan is swallowed by the water running down our bodies and onto the shower floor. I pull out as she pulsates around me, her orgasm triggering mine. My thighs cramp painfully when I come, spilling over her round, perky ass.
◆◆◆
Thalia’s absentminded for the rest of the morning, flinching every time my phone rings until Shawn arrives at the condo around midday.
“No fingerprints in your bedroom or on the note,” he says, resting against the breakfast bar, his hair in disarray and dark circles surrounding his eyes. Looks like he didn’t sleep last night. “The CCTV footage does show a guy, but he’s definitely not Dean, bro. No face in the footage, but the guy is too short for Dean. I thought that maybe it was Asher, but he claims he was home all day. Not the strongest alibi, so we’re checking the cameras around his neighborhood to confirm that.” He pulls out a folded piece of paper from the back pocket of his uniform. “That’s the best angle we’ve got.”
The guy wears a black hoodie and a pair of black sweatpants, but I have to agree with Shawn… it’s not Dean. His six feet seven is hard to hide. Whoever’s in the picture wouldn’t hit the mark even if he jumped.
I rub my face, passing the picture to Thalia. “So what? He breaks in here, scares my girl, leaves a threatening note, and gets away with it? That’s bullshit, Shawn. How am I supposed to leave Thalia alone when he’s out there?”
“We’re working on it. A few of my guys are combing through the city’s CCTV footage as we speak. I’ve also arranged for someone to come by tomorrow and install cameras inside the condo, and you,” he looks at Thalia, “if anything happens, you either call me or text me with help or 911. I’ll set up location sharing on your phone, so I know where to find you.”
She pales a little, and my stomach sinks too when I imagine all the possible scenarios Shawn’s trying to prevent.
This isn’t a game.
This is real.
He expects him to come back and do God knows what.
“Think,” I say, pulling her in, so she rests her back on my chest. “Who could want to hurt you? Could it be anyone from Greece? Ex-boyfriend?”
She shakes her head, not bothering to elaborate on the subject. Again, I’m left painfully aware I don’t know much about Thalia’s life before she arrived in America. Whenever I bring up her parents or friends, she shuts me out.
“If that,” Thalia points to the picture, “wasn’t a man, I would’ve said that every woman in this town could be a suspect. I’m sure the many women who want my boyfriend wouldn’t mind if I got hit by a bus.”
Shawn smirks. “Yeah, it did cross my mind that one of Theo’s past friends may have gotten jealous, but unfortunately, this is a guy, and as far as I’m aware, Theo has never tried a dick. Unless he’s too shy to share.”
“Shy? You should know better. Be thankful I’m not into dicks,” I chuckle, patting his back. “If I were gay, no one would want you.”
He flips me off, back in business mode. “You two need to keep your eyes and ears open, alright? Call me if anything doesn’t feel right.”
The door to the condo bursts open, my mother and father inviting themselves in without a single knock.
“We just found out!” Mom says, rushing across the room in a blur of white chiffon. “How are you doing, sweetie?” She pulls Thalia into a tight embrace. “How is it that we have to find out from Logan?” she snaps at me, but her features soften when she moves her attention to Thalia again. “Don’t you worry, sweetie, everyone who’s called a Hayes is looking for whoever broke in here last night.”
Thalia blushes slightly, too stunned to get a word out.
“Stop making her uncomfortable, Mom. And excuse me for not thinking to call a Hayes family crisis meeting.”
“You should have. Your mother had a mental breakdown at the news,” Dad cuts in, rolling his eyes, and I struggle not to chuckle. “You must be Thalia. I wish I could say I’ve heard a lot about you, but truth be told, I haven’t.” Another look my way, pointed this time. “You should’ve also thought about bringing your girlfriend over some time.”
Yeah, I should’ve, but I’ve been too preoccupied and too selfish, keeping Thalia to myself as much as possible. “We were going to visit this weekend.”
For the next hour, Thalia’s once again subtly interrogated by Mom while my father, Shawn, and I sit in the living room, brainstorming possible security measures.
