He gapes at me, the left side of his lips starts to curl up in a deadly smirk. “Do you know? No one talks to me like that, especially when I’m upset. Yet, you, Little One, are so sassy. I never knew how much I’d like it.” He reaches over and snags me onto his lap then picks up his sandwich to finish eating, like it’s perfectly normal.

I stay for a few minutes then get up to rinse my plate. I don’t see a dishwasher, but I couldn’t tell where the fridge was either, it just looks like cabinets. “Is there a dishwasher?” Still chewing, he motions to my left. Sure enough, it blends right in. I clean the mess from dinner, and when he’s done eating, he helps with the dishes.

“Thank you for dinner, it was delicious. Will you stay over? No pressure, for anything. I’d just like to be near you.”

I like being with him here too. Is it too soon to stay the night? I know he’s not asking for a romp, but it’s still strange. “I have class in the morning. I didn’t bring anything to sleep in or clothes for tomorrow.” Which actually sucks. I think I kinda wanted to stay.

“I have something you could sleep in. I can take you home in the morning, or we could wash what you have on.”

He’s looking at my rolled up skinny jeans and black tank covered by a white cropped cardigan with a tiny black skull and crossbones like he’s seeing it for the first time. He stares the longest at my wooden, clog bottomed, light purple Mary-Janes. I’d stare at them too, they’re fabulous and comfy. He widens his legs. “We can just go to your place in the morning so you can change.”

Is there something wrong with how I look? I’m not skinny like the devil woman, but I always try to dress for my body. I love my curves. “Is there a problem with what I have on?” I demand.

His eyes slowly rise to mine, and he rasps, “I like what you’re wearing very much. I don’t want anyone else to like it quite as much, Little One.”

Before making our way to his media room to relax, Masen gives me a t-shirt that hangs to my knees. We decide on watching reruns of BlindSpot when he finds out it’s one of my favorite shows and he’s never seen it. We’re sitting on a loveseat. He’s brought what’s left of the cookies and some drinks. I make it through the first episode, but I fall asleep soon after. I wake up to Masen carrying me into a darkened room. He places me on a soft bed, covers me, and kisses my forehead. “Good night, Little One.” I’m falling back asleep before he leaves the room.

When I start to wake up, I’m on fire. I can’t move, and I’m on fire. Holy hot batman, I try to push away from the heat, and my hands smack into a warm, rock-hard chest. “It’s too early, go back to sleep, baby.” His voice is slow and sleepy.