❤️ In The Devil's Heat ❤️
Talia finally stepped in. The bathroom looked like something out of a five-star hotel. Warm lights and beautiful cream walls. There were huge mirrors and gold designs everywhere. She locked the door behind her, sat on the closed toilet seat for a second, and let out the breath she’d been holding since he found her.
She peeled off her wet clothes slowly. Her tank top clung to her like a second skin. Her shorts were heavy with rain. Her panties were cold and sticky. She dumped them all in a pile on the floor.
The hot water felt like heaven on her skin.
She stayed under it longer than necessary, letting the warmth crawl back into her bones. She washed her hair with something that smelled like honey and mint. She scrubbed her skin until she felt clean again. Even though she was still broke, at least now she is clean.
When she finally stepped out, wrapped in a thick towel that smelled like fresh linen, she saw the clothes on the counter. A black oversized pajamas. They looked big and probably his.
She hesitated again but wore them with nothing underneath it.
She stepped out of the bathroom quietly and saw him waiting at the end of the hallway, leaning against the wall like he’d been there for hours.
“You clean up well,” he said without smiling.
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
“Come downstairs. Are you hungry?”
Talia blinked. She hadn’t eaten since morning. Her stomach answered before she could. He heard it and smirked.
The kitchen was even more beautiful than the bathroom. Steel appliances with marble counters. A huge island in the middle. He opened the fridge, pulled out a container of pasta, and slid it into the microwave.
“You cook?” she asked quietly.
“No I don't, my housekeeper does. She left for the weekend.”
He leaned back on the counter, crossed his arms, and studied her.
“You look like someone who hasn’t slept in a proper bed for weeks.”
“I haven’t.”
He nodded. “Boyfriend kicked you out?”
“No boyfriend.”
“Parents?”
She looked down. “No one.” She didn't know him and didn't want to tell him about her pitiful life story in one meeting just because he was cooking for her.
Dominic didn’t speak for a while. The microwave beeped. He handed her the food without a word, then poured her a glass of water.
Talia ate like a starving dog while standing. She didn’t care if he was watching. She was too hungry to be embarrassed.
When she finished, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and said, “Thank you.”
He poured himself another drink. “Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere more comfortable than the kitchen.”
He led her into a sitting room that looked like it belonged in a magazine. There was a huge fireplace with a deep black couch. Tall windows with the rain still pouring outside. The lightning flashed, painting shadows across the room.
He sat down as she stood awkwardly.
“Sit down, Talia.”
She did.
They didn’t speak for a while. The fire crackled. She pulled the sleeves of the hoodie down over her hands.
“Why are you helping me?” she asked finally.
Dominic sipped his drink. “You looked like someone who’s had enough punishment for one night.”
She nodded slowly.
Then he turned and looked at her directly, and her heart skipped.
“You’re not scared of me?”
“I should be,” she admitted.
He leaned forward. “But you’re not.”
She shook her head. “I’ve met worse.”
He gave a soft laugh. “Have you?”
Then everything changed. His body leaned closer.
Her heart pounded so loud, she was sure he could hear it. His fingers reached out and brushed a strand of wet hair from her face. She didn’t flinch or even move.
“You’re beautiful when you’re wet,” he said, and his voice was so deep now, it felt like it wrapped around her throat.
Talia couldn’t speak. She knows what he was getting at and was no fool, all men are the same, once they help you, they want your body in return. She should let him before he kills her.
“I should throw you out,” he said. “But I don’t want to.”
His hand was still on her face. Then it moved, down her neck, to her shoulder. Her skin lit up with heat and the cold was gone.
She whispered, “Why don’t you?”
He leaned in, his lips barely an inch from hers. “Because I want to see what you do next.”
Talia’s breath caught in her throat.
Maybe this is what he wants, a show of appreciation for his comfort.
She made up her mind and leaned forward instead and kissed him.
The moment their lips touched, something inside her woke up open. Her hands gripped his shirt tightly. His mouth moved over hers like he had been waiting all night, all year. His tongue slid between her lips, slow, deep, tasting her and claiming her.
His hands moved to her waist, pulling her onto his lap. She could feel his d**k, hard and hot against her ass.
She gasped into his mouth when he squeezed her thighs, dragging her closer. The fire burned behind them as the thunder rolled. Her hips moved on instinct.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
She nodded her head. Just for tonight and by the time he wakes she will be gone, that is if she survives the night with him.
“Yes." she whispered.
He growled low in his throat and lifted her in one smooth motion.