Bab 258: Admire You

~ STARK ~

"How the hell did you get in here?" I asked, suddenly realizing the door had been locked when I entered. I scowled in the direction of the offending door. Surely I hadn't been mistaken? I wasn't yet that old.

Hildie rolled her eyes. "It's my job. Literally what you hired me for."

"I hired you to manage the women. And your… skills were not to be applied to my own quarters! It's… inappropriate."

Her brows rose as if she were surprised. "Would you like me to leave?"

"No! I mean, yes! I mean…" I took a moment to breathe deeply and center myself, then faced her again with composure. "I assume you have a purpose for being here?" I asked dryly.

And then she smiled and something inside me… fluttered. 

Fuck. 

"Do I scare you, Stark?" she asked quietly. 

What an odd question. I shook my head, but when she smiled again, suddenly my body felt too heavy.