Waking up next to his sleeping mate, Renato thought his life couldn't be better. Even if just for short meetings, they could continue with their odd relationship and date once a month.
Because that was: a date. He had cooked for her, and then they had moved to the bedroom. Even though he had to pretend to see only sex, want only sex, and care about nothing else.
But he liked seeing her eating. He loved the way she would put all her effort into pleasing him or how she could tease him without remorse. She was so beautiful when hiding her thoughts and, even though failing, trying to suppress her feelings.
Sex had become just a way to get to her, after all. Something he had to do in order to grow closer. Not that she attracted him less: just, he had other priorities.
First of all, protecting her from what could happen between their packs. Protecting her even from himself.
Now, lying in her bedsheets and observing her calm face was all he needed.
His scent was all over her place, entangled in the fabric of the bedclothes more than anywhere else. She would remember him for days because his traces couldn't just disappear.
Oh, he could try leaving a mark, a slight and feeble one. Just so she carried his scent around for a day or two. But he knew she wouldn't like it. Not without any warning.
He moved a lock of hair from her forehead, leaning on an arm to watch her better. He knew their link would have brought them either together or to madness.
It was morning already, and he needed to go. He could meet her again soon with the same excuses, and maybe he would know a new recipe at that time. He had a month to learn, after all.
He could come up with new ideas to grow closer without making Samantha realise. Not because he wanted her to join his pack. Not anymore.
He just wanted to know her better, to see her hidden sides and her small flaws. Maybe, even to let her see his own weak side and his hidden fears. One day, though. Not too soon.
«I shall go,» he sighed, pecking her forehead and rolling on the other side of the bed. He collected his things, put away the food they forgot out of the fridge in the evening and even washed the dishes.
Once done, he checked his pockets for the phone and wallet. Then, he turned to the door.
«Are you going to leave without a greeting?» Samantha asked from the door. «After cleaning and tidying up? Are you transforming into a cleaning woman now? You were so silent that I didn't wake up until now.»
She walked into the living room wearing only an oversized t-shirt. She reached the table where breakfast was ready and waiting for her before turning back with a grimace.
«Don't you want to stay for breakfast?» she inquired.
She wasn't aware of how often she stepped on her own words and intentions, but she couldn't fight it. Not after a night of passion, for goodness's sake.
It was so easy to keep her mind clear and believe in herself when he was somewhere far from her. But with him in front of her eyes, as close as to feel his scent and the warmth of his skin, it was impossible. She would stop thinking about consequences and let loose like never before in her life.
Rider, on the contrary, always seemed so rational when they were together. He was more unstable in their messages than in their conversations.
«Are you talking about breakfast?» he asked. «Like... Food, or...»
«I don't know,» she replied, her face turning annoyed in a split second. «What do you want, then? Breakfast or something else?»
«I haven't done one thing from my list yet,» he pointed out.
«Why?»
«Because I was hoping you would propose it. I was saving my slots for many wicked ideas, as you witnessed.»
«You're manipulative.»
«Oh, it's just the beginning,» he admitted with a grin. He got rid of the jacket and walked to her. «Do you accept or not?»
«What is the idea?»
«Why don't you guess? If it's something you like more than me... Use that pretty head of yours, Mine.»
He turned towards the glass wall, his eyes shining even with their black colour. He was ready to leave, but she offered so readily that he couldn't waste the chance.
Moreover, how could he be sure she wouldn't ask to meet in a motel from then on? He had to use his chance.
«The window,» she realised. «You do like windows, don't you? That's a pretty extreme kink if you ask me... Moreover, in broad daylight!»
«No one will see if you don't get too close. The lights in this room are off, and it's bright outside. Like this, you can observe people going to work, and they won't know what you're doing up here.»
«It's not as crowded around here,» she chuckled.
«One more reason not to fear doing it.»
«That would bring you two points in advantage!» she realised. Somehow, they had managed to keep the scores unchanged no matter how often or how intensely they met.
«Oh, yes. You can take your point back next time. You'll have a lot of time to think about the worst thing you can do, Mine.»
She bit her lower lip, knowing very well that playing hard to get meant just making a fool of herself.
When she took off the only cloth covering her, Renato smiled like a kid. Two points of advantage meant that he didn't need to keep track of it so much. Even if he lost control and she got one point back, she would be in debt and would continue coming to him to try getting even.
Two to zero was a more favourable score. And he knew Samantha was competitive enough not to let go until she won.
«I love it when you're so assertive,» he said. «It makes me want to do a lot of things, Mine....»
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