“I’ve told her about her father.”
“Doesn’t matter what you’ve told her. You need to be clear about the danger he poses.”
Leaning back in his chair, Matthew opened his eyes to stare at the door. The desire to shut all the fear away felt strong. All he needed to do was take Clara away.
“What do you know about Edward? You’ve never even met him.”
His friend let out another sigh over the line.
“I know from the gossip he’s mixing with a lot of bad people. Worse than I’ve ever known and he owes big. I mean more than he’s ever owed anyone.”
Edward Baines’s reputation was far reaching. He’d heard about him before he’d even met Clara. Matthew couldn’t allow himself to think about what would have happened if he’d not stepped in to save her. Her submission in the wrong man’s hand could be fatal.
“If I were you, Matthew, I’d watch my back. He’s in deep and people like us always get hit first.”
“What do you mean?” Matthew asked, feeling his whole body tense up at the warning.
“We’ve got a secret. Men like Edward don’t give a shit about the secret. They find means to exploit it or get rid of us. Be careful.”
The call ended. Matthew would organize more security for Clara. He could handle himself but Clara needed protection.
Getting up from his seat he made his way into the kitchen to see his woman. She stood behind the counter singing as she whisked some eggs into a bowl. He walked in and her face lit up.
“How did your call go?” she asked.
“It went great.” He rounded the counter to her side. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her neck. “Am I forgiven?”
She moaned. “I don’t know. If I forgive you will all this attention stop?”
He chuckled. “You’ve got to be joking. I love getting my hands on you.”
“Then, yes, you’re forgiven.”
Inhaling her sweet scent, Matthew felt his body start to relax against her.
“What are you making?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I’ve chopped some onions, ham and tomatoes. I don’t like a plain omelet.”
“I’ll have whatever you’re having, baby.” He nuzzled her neck, loving the way she squirmed against him.
“I need you to let me go so I can cook.” She laughed when he growled against her neck.
“Fine.”
He sat behind the counter watching her cook. She looked so damn sexy getting food together. If she starred in a cookery show he’d watch it purely for the pleasure of seeing her. Leaning on his hand, he gazed at her. Her raven hair had dried since her shower. Her cheeks were red and rosy, from the heat of the stove or from his touches he didn’t know.
“You keep staring at me,” she said.
“I like watching you. I’d spend all day admiring you.”
Chapter Three
How did he get her world all a flutter? The way he stared at her made her wonder if he was visualizing her without any clothes. He’d seen her naked plenty of times. Clara fried her onions, tomatoes and ham in the pan before adding the beaten egg. When the bottom was set, she pulled Matthew’s omelet out from under the grill then placed her omelet under. She served his food with a chunk of buttered toast.
She handed him the warm plate then grabbed her own.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked when he made no move to start.
“I’m waiting for you, baby.”
She sat opposite him. Her gaze kept going to his hands as he used the fork to place food in his mouth. She loved having his fingers over her body.
While she’d been in the shower she’d been tempted to call the whole thing off. Being bought by a contract felt degrading to her. However, once she’d given herself time to think about the consequences of another man taking her, she’d seen the positive side of Matthew owning her.
He didn’t own her. Matthew never treated her awfully. In fact she was free to come and go as she pleased. The truth to her, she didn’t wish to go anywhere. In the time they’d known each other, Matthew had gotten under her skin. She’d find no pleasure with any other man. She loved Matthew and staying with him was the best thing for her to do.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
She stared into his eyes seeing the wealth of knowledge plainly displayed in their depths.
“I was thinking about the contract and how it made me feel.”
Lying would never be an option to her. Matthew knew and saw too much. He’d spot her lying a mile away.
“I did it to save you.”
“I know.” She reached over to stroke his hand in an attempt to reassure him. “I know you’d never do anything to hurt me. You’ve proven it time and time again. I love you, Matthew. I’m sure of that more than I’m sure of everything else. I just wish I could bring something more to you.”