Chapter 5
Shanice
Istood in front of my closet, staring at my clothes like they held the answers to the universe.
First day of classes. First day back to normal life. First day with Mikhail shadowing my every move like some kind of oversized, brooding bodyguard.
I pulled out a sweater, then put it back. Too casual. Then a blouse. Too formal. Then another sweater because what the hell did it matter what I wore? It wasn't like I was trying to impress anyone.
Except I kept thinking about the way Mikhail had looked at me last week when we'd gotten back from the apartment. Like he wanted to devour me. Like he was holding himself back by sheer force of will. I’d looked back after I’d gotten out of the car and it was very clear how much he wanted me.
I’d forgotten that my things were in the truck, not because of the trauma that I’d experienced in the apartment and reliving it. No. I’d left it because being too close to Mikhail made me lose reason and all I wanted to do was him when he was around.
He’d carried everything to my suite without a single word.
He kept his eyes diverted but there was no mistaking the bulge in his jeans.
Mikhail wanted me and I liked that he did.
Loved it actually. I’d never felt so powerful over another person before and knowing that I affected him in that way and that he kept himself in check had me on the biggest high.
It had made my skin flush hot and my stomach do stupid fluttery things.
Especially knowing he was about to be spending so much time with me.
"Stop it," I muttered to myself. "He's just doing his job."
A job he'd volunteered for. A job that meant being close to me every single day.
I grabbed jeans and a fitted black top, pulled my hair into a high ponytail, and told myself I looked professional.
Confident. Like a woman who had her life together and definitely wasn't thinking about her bodyguard's hands.
I finished off my look with a light pink waffle sweater that elevated my look.
My matching boots and natural makeup look sealed the deal.
When I came downstairs, Mikhail was waiting in the foyer. He looked up when I appeared, and something flashed in his dark eyes. Something hungry.
"Ready?" he asked. His voice was deeper, almost as if he was starved and straining to get his words out.
Oh, boy. That flutter in my belly was back and my pussy began to throb. Yeah, I liked being able to affect him in this way.
"Born ready." I grabbed my bag and headed for the door before he could see the way my pulse had kicked up.
The drive to campus was quiet. Mikhail kept his eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on his thigh. I tried not to stare at those hands. Failed miserably. I could only guess how they would feel exploring my body.
"You nervous?" he asked.
"No." Yes. Terrified. "Why would I be nervous?"
"First day. New semester. Plus you've got me tagging along."
I glanced at him. "Are you going to actually follow me into classes?"
"If I have to."
"Mikhail."
"What? You think I'm joking?" He pulled into the parking lot, found a spot close to the main building. "I told you. Wherever you go, I go."
"So you're going to sit in on Introduction to Psychology? Take notes? Maybe participate in group discussions?"
His jaw tightened. "If that's what it takes."
I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to face him.
"Look. I appreciate the protection thing, I really do.
But you can't actually sit in my classes.
It's weird. It'll draw attention. They probably have rules against that, too.
And the last thing I need is people asking questions about why I have a personal bodyguard. "
He was quiet for a moment, staring out the windshield. Then he said, "Fine. I'll wait outside. But you text me when class is over. And if anything feels wrong, anything at all, you leave immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, Dad."
His eyes cut to me, dark and intense. "Don't call me that."
The way he said it made heat pool low in my belly. I swallowed hard. "Then don't treat me like a child."
"Trust me, Shanice." His voice dropped, rough and low. "The way I think about you is not remotely paternal."
Oh God.
I grabbed my bag and got out of the SUV before I could do or say something stupid. Like ask him exactly how he did think about me. Or climb into his lap and find out if he tasted as good as he looked.
Mikhail fell into step beside me as we walked toward the psychology building. I could feel him scanning the area, cataloging faces, checking exits. Always on alert. Always watching.
"You're going to give yourself a heart attack if you keep looking at everyone like they're a threat," I said.
"Everyone is a threat until they're not."
"That's a depressing way to live."
"It's kept me alive this long. It’s also going to keep you alive, right?"
We reached the building, and I stopped at the entrance. Students streamed past us, chattering and laughing. Normal people living normal lives. I wanted that so badly it hurt.
"I'll be fine," I said. "It's just a class."
Mikhail stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup my elbow. The touch sent electricity racing up my arm. "Text me when it's over. I'll be right here."
"You're really going to stand outside for an hour and a half?"
"Yes."
I shook my head, but I couldn't help the small smile. "You're insane."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it keeps being true." I pulled my arm free before I did something stupid like lean into him. "I'll text you."
I walked inside before he could respond, my heart pounding. When I glanced back through the glass doors, he was exactly where I'd left him. Standing like a sentinel. Watching.
The classroom was on the second floor. I found a seat near the middle, not too close to the front, not hidden in the back. The other students filtered in, and I tried to focus on pulling out my notebook and pen.
But my mind kept drifting to Mikhail. To the way he'd looked at me this morning. To the rough edge in his voice when he'd said the way I think about you is not remotely paternal.
What did that mean? What did he want?
And why did part of me want to find out?
The professor walked in, a middle aged woman with kind eyes and an easy smile. She introduced herself as Dr. Chen and launched into the syllabus. I took notes, tried to pay attention, tried to be present.
But every ten minutes, I found myself glancing at my phone. Wondering if Mikhail was still out there. Wondering if he was bored. Wondering if he was thinking about me the way I was thinking about him.
Get it together, Shanice.
The class dragged on. Dr. Chen talked about classical conditioning and behavioral psychology. Normally, I would've been fascinated. Today, I could barely focus. Eventually, my curiosity kicked in and I focused. I took notes and found myself drawn to every word she spoke.
When the hour and a half finally ended, I had recovered my excitement about class and was disappointed that the time was over. I packed up my things though, and then texted Mikhail.
Shanice
Done. Heading out.
His response didn’t disappoint.
Mikhail
Stay inside. I'm coming to you.
I frowned at my phone.
Shanice
I can walk to the door by myself.
Mikhail
Wait for me.
Bossy asshole.
But I waited. And two minutes later, Mikhail appeared in the doorway, his eyes finding me immediately. He moved through the crowd of students like they weren't even there, his focus locked on me.
"How was it?" he asked when he reached me.
"Fine. Normal. No one tried to kidnap me." I joked.
"Good." He didn’t laugh, and I knew he wouldn’t. Keeping me safe wasn’t funny at all to him.
We walked out together, and I tried to ignore the way people looked at us.
At him, really. Mikhail was hard to miss.
Tall, built, dangerous looking. Walking surveillance.
He moved like a predator, all controlled power and lethal grace.
And he was walking beside me like I was the only person in the world who mattered.
"Next class is in an hour," I said. "Across campus."
"I'll drive you."
"It's a ten minute walk."
"Then it's a two minute drive."
I stopped, turning to face him. "Mikhail. You can't hover like this all semester. I need some space to breathe. Plus, I definitely prefer walking versus driving."
Something flickered in his eyes. "You want space?"
"I want to feel normal again. And having you glued to my side every second makes that impossible."
He stepped closer, crowding into my space. I had to tilt my head back to look at him. "You know what's not normal, Shanice? Getting grabbed and held in a warehouse. That's not normal. And until I'm sure it won't happen again, you're stuck with me."
Anger flared and hated that he’d thrown those words at me. "I didn't ask for this!"
"No. You didn't." His hand came up, and for a second I thought he was going to touch my face.
But he dropped it. "But you've got it anyway. So you can either fight me every step of the way, or you can accept that I'm not going anywhere and make the best of it. You’re going to be safe. Period. Until I find out differently, we don’t know who's watching you. That means I’m right here daring somebody to cross that line. "
I wanted to argue. Wanted to tell him to back off and let me live my life.
But standing there, looking up into those dark intense eyes, all I could think about was what it would feel like if he actually touched me. If he put those hands on my skin and made good on all the promises I saw burning in his gaze.
“I can’t have you hurt, Shanice.”
"Fine," I said. "But I'm walking. And you're keeping at least three feet of distance."
His mouth curved into a smile that made my stomach flip. "Whatever you say."
We started walking. Mikhail kept exactly three feet between us, like he'd measured it.
But I could still feel him. Still sense his presence like a physical weight and it comforted me so much that I began to relax into my stroll as we continued on.
I appreciated him being there to make sure what happened before never occurred again.
Don’t get used to it, girl. Eventually, things will die down and he won’t be there.
I sighed and increased the speed of my steps. This was going to be a very long semester.