T-shirt

Antonia Leighton

Honestly? Damn, dictatorial men!

She had just informed him he was moving too fast, they should take it slow and he announced, no, demanded she moved in with him tonight.

She had not given him an answer instead she walked out of the restaurant. Of course, she didn't even get at least two meters of distance from him until he caught up with her and dragged her back to his arms.

Thanked God, he remained silent during the ride back to the office. Though he didn't let go of her hand until he escorted her back to her desk and he on his. His concentration remained on his work while she returned to answering his correspondence.

Does she leave his office without addressing the elephant in the room? Both of them remained so quiet it grated on her nerves.

Finally, it was time to go. She had to say something.

Antonia was so busy rereading the last email for the day, she didn't notice him draw near her.

"Love, how about take out for tonight?" He asked in a soft voice he seemed to use just for her since he returned.

She sighed. "I won't be moving in with you."

"Yet." He was stubborn. Like a dog gnawing on a bone.

"Yes. We could order take out but at my place." She warned. Her eyes narrowed.

"Works for me, too. Wait here, I just need to get something. Then, we'll go." He leaned to kiss her temple, then walked towards the rooms near his private pantry. What's he up to now? He seemed so complacent. That is not a good sign.

Bemused, shaking her head, she turned off her computer and arranged the documents on her table. Nodding in approval at the day's accomplishments despite her clingy boss, she waited for him.

And was shock again to find him in his casual clothes, a crew neck black shirt, and a pair of dark denim jeans that clung to his muscular limbs, yummy as ever, with a backpack hanging on his shoulder. What the hell!

"Come on, babe. I'm hungry." He gathered her in his arms and off they go with a speechless Antonia.

God. He's good. Very good. An overnight bag means one thing. He was staying at her place tonight.

***

Apprehension gripped her while she fumbled with her keys. Her place was decent enough, a far cry from her previous apartment in the slums. MJ had made sure she had the bare necessities when she moved in. She was a twenty-two-year-old adult, however, she had never brought a man home. Not ever. At such a young age, she had been busy adulting she had no time to fool around let alone date and play the field.

Shit! Antonia was nervous. She had never touched a man in her own volition. Never had a proper kiss. And now here comes a man, not just any man, her boss, the CEO, integrating himself into her life without the slightest hesitation. Like he had always belonged. She felt like pulling her unruly red hair out.

"Um...this is it. Welcome to my humble abode. Make yourself at home." She gestured, her hand a bit unsteady. Logan closed and locked the door for her and she felt him get closer to her. His broad chest to her back, one arm snaked on her waist pulling her body flushed to his harder frame, his lips on her hair.

"I only want to be close to you, Antonia. Make sure you are always safe. You lead, I follow, remember?" His nose nuzzled and breathe in more of her fragrance. She melted in his arms. "Pizza or Chinese?"

She turned in his arms. "Both?" Her head on his chest. Feeling every muscle and sinew through his cotton T, she slowly rubbed her face for comfort. His arms tightened on her hips gliding to the small of her back.

"Both it is then." He answered. His voice amused.

"This is so unbelievable." Antonia shook her head. Amazed she could act this way to a man she barely knew.

"I believe it, love. I do." He kissed her hair before separating their bodies to look down on her upturned face. "Get comfortable. I'll order for us."

She nodded. Moving out of his arms seemed difficult but she clenched her jaw to step out of them and walked to her bedroom. Closing the door for some privacy, she went straight to her closet to remove her clothes and entered her bathroom.

The spray of the warm water eased some of her tension and allowed her to ponder all that had happened since the CEO came back.

It felt surreal. The last she had seen him before he left for his business trip was at her first presentation, and he almost chewed her head off. Now, just like in a parallel universe, he came back wanting her and he loathed to be parted from her. Not even for a second. Which was so confusing.

Antonia needed answers. She was sure as hell needed to have the upper hand. Or he would eat her alive.

Replaying her words, she blushed and hurriedly shampooed her hair with her favorite sweet amber and vanilla scent and finally applied the same type of conditioner. Quickly drying her wet tresses and small frame, she donned her comfortable nightclothes, a big gray worn shirt, and boyshorts, nothing exciting, and padded barefooted to her living room. Hearing the business channel on, she smiled faintly.

He must have heard her somehow because he slowly got up and turned in her direction, his deep brown eyes turned darker and he appraised her ordinary ensemble with a heated gaze, his broad chest moving up and down with his deep breaths. Her eyes devoured his defined muscles and washboard abs from the thin material of his T-shirt.

She almost forgot to breathe. For years, she had been dancing naked in front of horny and salivating men, all she felt was indifference. With Logan, with just one look, she felt like combusting.

"Goddess, you look beautiful." His words made her blushed and her whole body became too aware of his words. Suddenly, his face hardened and he frowned while he moved towards her. "Whose shirt is that?" He grumbled.

"What...why?" His question confused her.

"That is a man shirt," Logan observed. "I don't like it. You should only be wearing mine."

"No." She took a step back. "I want to wear this. And this is mine." Her words made him halt for a second but only just. His hard body pinned her on the wall, his powerful arms caged her, his face on her neck, inhaling her fresh scent lustily.

"Jump." He murmured on her skin.

"No." Antonia's voice quivered.

"Yes. Now." He growled. Her nipples hardened while she clenched her thighs.

Her hands slowly touched his chest, moving them up gingerly until she wrapped her slender arms around his neck and jumped. Catching her, he held her hips while he encouraged her legs to wrap around his torso. Fuck! "Logan."

He groaned. By the feel of his taut and tensed physique, he was also affected by her proximity. "You feel so good, love."

Not an inch between the two of them while he carried her to the comfortable couch. Her legs on straddling his lap. She felt a steel rod between them leaped and she almost scrambled out of his hold. "Logan." She whined in embarrassment.

"Don't be embarrassed, love. Every inch of me is yours." His lips on her ear made her shudder. "Stay. I want to feel you."

Antonia nodded. Her flaming face on his racing heart. "This is too fast."

He sighed. "I'm sorry if I am overwhelming you, Antonia. Once I knew you were mine, I couldn't be without you."

"How did you know?" He had been uttering phrases all day that baffled her.

"Fate, love. Fate." He didn't elaborate more. He just held her until his lust for her calmed down. "Just give me one chance. I will prove to you this is worth it."

"I don't know how to. I'm new at this as well." He sucked in a sharp breath at her admission.

"You never had a boyfriend?"

"Never. I didn't have time." She couldn't say more for him. Her life was so shitty before she worked for his company. Her closest experience was some groping from customers and almost being raped at a darkened alley.

His delighted smile made her heart hammer. "I knew you are still innocent but I haven't expected you to admit that. I'd be the first and last inside you. " Her face flamed at his bluntness.

She slapped his chest and narrowed her eyes. "Possessive ass. How did you know I am still a virgin?"

Logan's expression turned serious. "I just do." He kissed her forehead. "Not that it matters if you weren't, as long as I am last, I am content." His warm lips moved to the tip of her nose, her red cheeks, and the curve of her jaw. His actions stopped then his gaze went to the door. "Dinner's here. Stay here, love." As if on cue, there were five firm raps on the heavy wood.

He gently moved her to the couch and she frantically pulled down her shirt to cover her exposed thighs. Her face still flaming, watching him moved like a confident predator to get their food. "Wait, let me get my wallet."

Logan turned and raised his brow. "No. I will be taking care of you from now on." His words somehow pricked her pride. With a heavy heart, she went to the kitchen to set the table. She heard faint voices while he paid the delivery guy and the door clicked shut once more.

Looking over her shoulder while she was on the fridge looking for dessert, she asked, "red or white?" Referring to the bottles of chilled wine she stored for a night such as this.

"Red." He answered, his eyes following her every movement. "Antonia. Stop."

"Later, please. I'm hungry." She didn't want to deal with her emotions while she was starving. Thankfully, he nodded and helped her plate their food, made sure she took the first bite before he concentrated on his own. Glancing at her from time to time, anticipating her needs.

Grateful for the silence and the breathing room he has given her, she kept her face on her plate and ate to her heart's content. Only when she was sipping her wine did she looked at him and gulped. His attention never left hers, an indication he was waiting patiently for her to open up.

Exasperated, she began to clear the table and placed the dishes in the sink. Turning on the dishwasher, she carefully arranged the plates and utensils. An arm circled her waist and she stiffened. "I'm sorry if I said something wrong, love." He murmured. His chin on the top of her head.

Defeated, she sighed heavily and leaned on his chest. "I had no one before except MJ. When she left, I thought I was left alone again. Now, you come unexpectedly into my life and assumed that role and more." She shrugged. "I don't know what to think. I've been alone and independent for a long time, I am still not used to anyone taking care of me." Confessing, laying her heart bare was difficult. But he had to know. She had a lot of extra baggage and he might run if he knew all of them.

"I am messing this up, aren't I? I've been pushing my luck." Turning her body towards his, she looked and studied his tensed features. His lips were flat. His eyes reflected his sadness. Her hand cupped his jaw and he closed his eyes in bliss while nuzzling her palm.

"No. I just need more time, Logan." Her fingers reached for his soft thick dark hair and he shuddered in her arms.

"Do you want me to go?" He offered hesitantly though she felt he wanted the exact opposite. Fuck her overthinking brain. She wanted this too.

"I want you to stay."

"Will you wear my shirt to bed?"

"Yes, I will."