My Sweet Punishment by Amelia Brooks (best book club books of all time .TXT) 📕

      “You?! What are you doing here?!” meeting THIS man was the least I could have expected.

      Mike himself was standing in front of me, simply grinning. And on top of that, he was completely shirtless!

       And while I was trying to pick up my dangling jaw from the floor, the guy suddenly reached forward with the obvious intention of hugging me or whatever it was he was trying to do. But he didn’t make it in time, bumping into the barrier of my outstretched hands, which rested directly on his naked chest.

      “And I’m glad to see you, babe,” lazily, he pulled away from me and leaned sideways against the door frame, casually crossing his muscled arms.

      We must give Mike credit. He took care of his body perfectly. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is also a habitual frequenter of the city’s elite fitness clubs. And not knowing what a piece of shit he was inside, I might even like him. But fortunately, I know it.

       And why the hell hadn’t he bothered to get dressed? He knew I’d be standing outside the door. Wanted to show off, you pompous peacock?

       “I need to talk to Olivia. Call her in here,” I demanded, trying to look him straight in the eye. God, I hope I’m not blushing. Not in front of him. Damn capillaries!

       “Are you going to hang around on the doorstep or finally come in?" he opened the door wider, inviting me inside. “I don’t think the neighbors need to know about our juicy conversations, do you?”

       I wanted to protest, but suddenly I heard the sound of the elevator arriving and quickly slipped inside the apartment. Some girl arguing with a practically naked guy on the landing, even in someone else’s house was definitely a bad idea.

        “Call Olivia,” I insisted, angrily glaring at Mike.

      “I’d love to, but your friend left about ten minutes ago,” he said, spreading his hands in a gesture of regret. And, seeing my drooping gaze, he added, “but Olivia said she won’t be long.”

      “I’d better come back later,” I said, reaching for the handle of the front door.

      “Come on, can’t you put up with my wonderful company for a few minutes?” a mocking voice asked me.

     “Yes, I can’t,” I said honestly.

     “Really??” he pretended to be upset and surprised. “Well, that’s up to you, princess. Wait or not. I take it you didn’t just come to see my cousin. Had a fight?” And seeing the mute answer in my eyes, he continued. “Yeah. Are at odds over something or... someone?”

       Fucking Sherlock. I ignored his sarcastic questions. But maybe this is really my only chance to talk to her properly and explain everything. And I’m not going to lose it because of some jerk.

       I sat down on a chair in the spacious living room, as far away as possible from the guy who was sitting on the wide sofa.

      “Maybe you should get dressed!” I couldn't stand it anymore and made a remark. “You’re not alone here, actually.”

     “What’s wrong? Am I embarrassing you?” he twitched his eyebrows significantly and stretched as if his muscles were stiff. “Oh, only because you’re asking, shy girl,” he said, reaching for a black T-shirt that was lying nearby and quickly put it on.

      I jumped in surprise when suddenly Mike’s phone started ringing. The guy took the call and gave me a strange look, and then went into another room. Far be it from me to hang out my ear on his conversation. I hope it’ll last as long as possible. I don’t want to see his self-satisfied face.

       But due to my “luck”, Mike returned a couple of minutes later with bad news for me.

      “Yeah, princess, you’re out of luck. Olivia really won’t be home today,” he “gladdened” me.

       So it was she who just called him?!

      “Give me her number,” I ordered. I know it was a little rough. But with people like Mile, there's no other way. If he feels my weakness, he’ll start twisting me around his finger.

      “Wow, how intimidating you are?” he playfully startled and then grinned. “And why do I have to give it to you?”

       “Because I’m asking,” our useless dialogue is starting to annoy me.

       The guy laughed out loud.

      “We seem to have different ideas about the word ‘asking’," and he patted his knee, inviting me to sit down.

        “Fuck you!” I backed away. Nothing changes. The same asshole as before!

      “All right, all right, I give up, ‘touch-me-not’ Mia,” he laughed and raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. Then he picked up a piece of paper on the glass table and quickly wrote something on it, holding it out to me. “Here it is.”

      I quickly approached Mike and grabbed the handed paper. But I almost tore it up, because his fingers were still gripping the opposite edge of the paper. I stared at the guy in confusion. But I didn’t have time to say anything when he grinned contentedly and grabbed my other arm, pulling me down on the sofa.

      “Let me go!” I tried to get up, but he pinned me down hard, wringing my hands.