"I'm not sleeping in your bed," Kim snapped, folding her arms across her chest.
Eddy tilted his head, eyes slowly scanning her towel-wrapped body with an amused grin tugging at his lips. "Relax, baby doll. I was just kidding," he murmured, voice deep and smooth like expensive whiskey.
Then he stepped closer—too close.
"I'll give you your own room. Your own space. I'm not a monster..."
His fingers brushed her cheek.
"But you still have to follow my rule."
She blinked, confused and breathless. "Which rule?"
"You don't run." His eyes darkened. "You don't leave without telling me. Understand?"
She nodded slowly, his dominance sinking into her skin like heat.
"Good girl," he whispered. "Now go to your room, change your clothes before you catch a cold, and come down for dinner. I want to know you... a lot more."
His lips curved into a wicked smirk before he turned and disappeared down the hallway.
Kim stood frozen.
Why did that feel good?
She shook her head and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water rush over her skin. Steam filled the marble bathroom, clouding her thoughts.
Why did I protect him? she wondered. Why did I come with him like some hypnotized doll?
The last 24 hours had been a blur of gunshots, wet skin, and deep stares that lingered too long.
She closed her eyes, leaning into the heat. When will I go back? Will I even survive this place?
When she finally stepped out of the shower, her thoughts were a tangle of questions. Wrapping a soft white bathrobe around herself, she wiped the fog from the mirror and stared at her reflection.
Then it hit her.
She had no clothes.
Her suitcase was still at the hotel. She had nothing.
Her heart skipped as she loosened the robe and let it fall. Naked, she stood before the mirror, staring at her bare skin. Her body still damp, still tingling from his voice, his stare...
And just then—
The door creaked open.
Kim gasped and spun around, grabbing the robe and covering herself, barely in time.
Eddy stepped in, holding a stack of neatly folded clothes.
But his gaze... his gaze dropped.
Slow. Intense. Dark.
"You forgot your clothes," he said huskily.
She couldn't breathe. Her robe was barely clinging to her body. Her skin felt scorched under his stare.
"I... I was just—"
"I know what you were doing," he interrupted, walking toward her slowly. Predatory. Hungry.
Kim backed into the wall, heart racing.
"Don't worry, baby doll," he murmured, his voice a tease wrapped in sin. "You're safe with me. For now."
He stepped closer, their bodies almost touching. His fingers brushed her damp hair off her shoulder.
"I like you like this," he whispered.
She looked up at him, eyes wide but full of heat.
"You shouldn't," she whispered.
"I do," he growled.
Their lips were inches apart. His breath was warm against her skin. Her heart thundered.
Then—
A knock.
Eddy stiffened. His hand shot out, pulling her behind him, shielding her naked body with his own like instinct. The door opened slightly.
"Boss," one of his men said, "We got a tip. They know she's with you. Enemies are asking around in the south block."
Eddy's jaw clenched.
"Handle it. I'll be down," he ordered without turning around.
The door closed. Silence returned.
But Eddy didn't move.
His body was still pressed to hers. Heat radiated between them.
Kim whispered against his ear, lips grazing his skin, voice trembling with desire.
"Can I touch you… down… if you allow me?"
He growled softly, barely holding himself back.
"Baby doll," he said, breath ragged, "you're my guest... not my toy."
He stepped back, eyes still locked on hers.
"Change your clothes. Come down for dinner."
He tossed the clothes on the bed, then smirked as he walked to the door.
"I'm hungry for more than just food tonight."
And then he was gone.
Leaving Kim breathless. Wet. Shaking. Wanting more.