“You mean the business where you take things from people?”
I reach out and take her wrist in my palm. Her skin is warm and soft, everything about her an undeniable lure. “I take things to save them from destruction.”
“Every time?” She licks her lips. “Are you saying you’ve never taken something just because you wanted it for yourself?”
I tighten my grip on her wrist, my eyes locked on those lips of hers, the ones that tempt me to do rash things on this dinner table. “There’s a first time for everything.”
She makes a feminine sound, as if whatever thought she just had pleased her greatly. I want to hear it again, and I always want to be the one that creates that feeling in her.
Leaning over the table, I take her lips, gently this time. She smiles against me, then answers, her mouth opening, our tongues dancing as I finally get another taste of the one who sets my soul on fire. She melts for me, her hands running to my biceps as I cup her face, making her mine again and again with each breath we share.
“Now.” I pull back only an inch. No more. “Tell me about this other man.” I’ve been keeping the jealous beast in my breast caged, but he wants out, and I’ll damn well let him run wild once Pandora gives me a target.
“It’s not a man.” Her breathy voice brings both relief and a surprise.
“Not a man? You’re into women, too?”
She shakes her head. “No. It’s not like that. Not um.” Her gaze darts to my lips. “Not like this.”
The vise around my heart loosens, but not completely. The only claim I want on her is my own. Who else could have any power over her?
“Tell me who it is and what it is, and I’ll take care of it.” I stroke her cheek.
“It’s not something you can take care of.”
“Try me.”
“No.” The steel in her voice both frustrates and excites me. “This is my burden. I have to handle it alone.”
“Why handle it alone when I’m more than happy to help?” I ghost my lips across hers once, twice.
Her eyelids flutter. “Because it’s my destiny.”
Destiny is a big word, one that could mean a multitude of things, but maybe it’s a clue, one that will help me unravel my Pandora. For now, though, I can’t resist her for one more second. I claim her lips again, this time more urgently. She answers, her tongue seeking mine, both of us wrapping ourselves in each other, tying each of our missing ends together. I reach for her, ready to lift her onto the table and give her--
“And here we are.” Mrs. Pettyford bustles into the room and breaks the moment.
Pandora backs away, her cheeks growing pink as I savor every bit of her.
Mrs. Pettyford puts down two extra-large servings in front of Pandora and me, a grin on her lined face. “Tiramisu is served. I may have added a bit more liquor than usual, but that’s because I’m old and eccentric. I’m allowed.”
“This looks amazing.” Pandora blinks a few times. “I know I said I couldn’t eat another bite but--”
“But I insist.” Mrs. Pettyford hands her the dessert fork.
Pandora accepts it and takes a bite. Her moan of pleasure goes straight to my cock, and I count the moments until I can take her upstairs and get a proper taste of my own favorite dessert.
15
Pandora
I really don’t want to leave, but I also know I shouldn't be here. Gaines is all too tempting. I already let things go too far last night. I’d gotten lost in the man. Something that is so easy to do. But when it happens, I feel as though I’m defying my destiny, the one thing that’s been pushing me forward each day. I can’t continue to let myself get so easily distracted.
“Do you want anything else?” Gaines asks.
Yes, it’s on the tip of my tongue to say that I want my box, but I don’t. I need to give it some time. Even though he told me he’d do anything for me, I’m not exactly sure how that would play out. Would he retrieve the box for me? Does he even know where it is? And after I get it, would he let me leave? Would he do it knowing that the box is supposed to reveal who is meant to be mine? Or that it holds the answer to who the other half of my soul is?
I was telling the truth earlier when I said I already belonged to someone. The box is supposed to lead me to that person so I won’t be alone anymore. With Gaines around, the need to find it doesn’t seem as urgent. But I know I should be rushing to find it. I’m closer than ever, and I’ll finally be rid of the loneliness I’ve felt since losing my grandmother. I’ve promised myself to her cause, and finding the box is the only way I can make good on my word to her.
Gaines watches me, still waiting for me to answer his question about whether I want more. He keeps getting closer and closer. Slowly moving in on me. He’s a tiger ready to pounce. More so since I told him I belong to another. It’s terrible, but his jealousy does things to me. It makes me want that mouth of his back between my legs. I try to push my mind away from those memories. It goes to that place too often.
I lick my lips, still tasting the perfect tiramisu from earlier. He wasn't kidding about Mrs. Pettyford being a five-star chef. The woman could outcook my grandma. Not that I would ever tell her that. It felt good being around her. It took me back to having my grandma around.
“I really can’t eat another bite now.” I lean back in my chair, thankful for my yoga pants. “How are you so fit if you’re eating like this every day?”
“I work out.” That’s an understatement based on how he looks.
“You don’t say.” I laugh. The man is built. “I hate working out. To be honest”—I drop my voice leaning closer to him—“I’ve never done it. Those treadmills scare me, and sometimes I trip just walking. You know that from experience. I mean, I fell into you last night.”
“So you’re one of those?” He smiles. His gaze roams over me. Again, I can feel it on me like a touch. I don’t know how he does all these things with his eyes and mouth.
“What? A lazy one?”
He barks a laugh. “No, one that is all natural beauty. You don’t have to try. You just are a goddess.”
No, Pandora is no goddess. Neither am I. I’m just a regular girl trying to find myself. Okay, I’m also trying to locate a box that will give me everything I’m destined to have. But to him, I’m more than that, and I have to say it’s not so bad being seen as a goddess. I push those thoughts to the side, trying not to think about how much I enjoy the way he sees me. Or how he makes me wish that my destiny hadn’t already been written.
“I wouldn't go that far.” I hop up from my chair and walk over toward one of the large glass doors that looks into the backyard. A swimming pool sparkles in the light.
“Are you sure you don’t enjoy running?” His hand wraps around me and he rests his palm on my stomach as he draws me into him.
“Maybe I enjoy being chased.”
He reaches for the door and pushes it open.
His lips tickle my earlobe. “I’ll give you a head start then.” He kisses me below my ear. His arm drops away as he takes a step back. “Ten.”