“I need this.”

“Here.”

She opened her eyes to find him standing over her with a steaming bowl and tea. She turned her face away, uninterested, but he wouldn’t let her ignore him. He sat her upright and offered the tea first. She considering splashing him with it for being such a pushy dick, but didn’t want to get burned in the process, so she took it. He had to steady her trembling hands. She didn’t register the fragrance, but the familiar taste made her brows draw together. 

“Is this tea from Mo?” she asked. 

“How did you know?”

“He got me chamomile tea another time when I was upset,” she said without thinking. 

His tension went up a few notches, but he didn’t comment as he exchanged the tea for the bowl. 

“I’m really not hungry,” she began, but stopped when he grabbed the spoon, clearly intending to feed her himself. 

She snatched the spoon from him, dipped it in the thick soup, and felt her throat swell. She swallowed hard.

“Just one bite,” he said. 

“What is it?” 

“Chicken wild rice.” When she met his eyes, he shrugged. “He picked it up at the store. He got fresh bread too.”

The soup was warm, thick, and flavorful. Roth lied. He wasn’t satisfied until she took four spoonfuls and a bite of the fresh, flaky bread. 

As she settled into the massive armchair and pulled the blanket up to her chin, she sucked in a breath when he scooped her up. 

“What are you…?”

He sat behind her and settled her between his thighs, forcing her to recline against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, preventing any escape, as he stretched his legs out on the ottoman on either side of her. 

 “I don’t want,” she began, but he cut her off. 

“I need this.”

His deep rumble reverberated through her back. Her eyes drooped as she rested her cheek against the muscled arm draped across her chest. It was unfortunate that her body was comforted by his size, warmth, and the familiar scent of his musk and her favorite cologne that still lingered on his skin. She could hear his heartbeat and as she closed her eyes, realized hers had automatically slowed to match his. 

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Sins. Please do not share or distribute.