Teddy Bear Sir (The Sloan Brothers Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

of what that meant.  What were her expectations?  What were mine?  I was still emphatic that I hadn’t, as of yet, decided whether or not I wanted this type of relationship with Ayla.  Yes, I had a profound physical attraction to her.  But a shared personal living space?  I’d shown her to a guestroom for a reason.  I slept alone.  I’d slept alone my entire life.  What I was witnessing at that moment fostered the implication that those days of solitary slumber were behind me and I wasn’t sure if I liked that.  I knew one thing, I did NOT like that she had made presumptions.  That was completely unacceptable.
     
    The longer I sat there, the angrier I became.  How dare she!  I took her into my home and my protection out of a desire to get to know her better.  She’d taken liberties that I’d never allowed another to take.  Even my mother had always respected my privacy.  Perhaps I should tell her that in exactly those terms.  Yes.  If I explained it that way, she’d most certainly understand.
    With my spare bathrobe in hand, I stormed into the bathroom as the water was being turned off.  The room was foggy from the steam and in my anger over the situation, I’d forgotten my sense of propriety completely.
    She opened the door of the shower and every argument I’d prepared left me.  There she stood in all of her wet glory, a study in perfection.  In my wildest dreams (and I’m ashamed to admit I’d had more than a few), I’d not prepared myself for the reality of her.  I’d been with my fair share of women, but none as perfect as the woman that stood before me.
    She stood patiently, allowing my perusal.  From her long wet hair, my gaze dropped to her well proportioned breasts.  Then I felt my heated blush as my eyes fell to her hips and what lay between.  By the time I’d made my way back to her eyes, she had a knowing smile on her face and I was doomed.
     
    I started talking and she stepped from the shower, reaching for the towel she’d placed on the counter behind me.  Ayla surprised me with her lack of shyness.  My presence should have been a surprise.  Instead, she acted as if we’d been in this situation before and on a regular basis.  At a loss of what to do next, I watched her dry herself and then held the robe open for her.  She smiled at me over her shoulder as she slipped her arms into the warm garment I held.  My fingers brushed her shoulders as she slid inside and I felt my body tighten.  This wasn’t good.  This, was a disaster.
    I cleared my throat and spun her slowly to face me.
    “ Ayla, we have to talk.”
    “ Of course Sir.  Whatever you wish.”
    Did I say disaster?  This was me digging my own grave.  I felt my chest puff out at her words and it occurred to me that all that was left was my hand coming up to thump said chest in a show of territorial ownership.  Realization hit me and I released my breath.  I didn’t own her.  I didn’t want to own her.  I wanted to set her straight.  How dare she confuse me with rhetoric and titles?
    I turned quickly and stormed into the bedroom, Ayla following close behind.  I pointed to the bed.
    “ Sit.”
    She obeyed and folded her hands in her lap.  My robe swallowed her and she looked young, small, and more than a little afraid.  Damn.  I hadn’t meant to scare her.
    I sat down next to her and blew out a breath before I looked at her.
    “ Ayla, why are your things in my closet?  Why have you invaded my dresser?”
    I saw a hint of a smile and I narrowed my eyes.
    “ Pierce, I’d hardly call it an invasion.  You have more than enough room.  All I did was move some things over a smidge.”
    “ The point remains that you are not where I put you.”
    She cocked her head while she thought about my words.
    “ Where you put me?  I’m not an object to be placed Sir.”
    “ Ayla...”
    “ Please don’t be angry with me.”
    She began to fidget with the tie of the robe and I felt off kilter by her