Chapter 4
Chapter Four
IRINA
“ C ohen?” I repeatedly, stupidly, call out as I search my apartment, but he’s gone.
I shouldn’t be disappointed he escaped while I showered. It’s for the best. No good can come from hanging out with the man. Even if he did ride to my rescue last night.
A pounding on the door claims my attention, and I check the peephole, grimacing when I see who’s on the other side. Might as well get this over with. Yanking the door open, I plant a petulant look on my face, purely to wind Alexei up. I really shouldn’t, but I just can’t help myself.
“Do you have a death wish?” he barks, pushing his way into my apartment and looking around.
“Relax. Nothing happened.” I’m not admitting what went down last night as I was leaving the club. I’ll take that to the grave.
Alexei has been my bodyguard since I was twelve. He’s only eleven years older, and cool when he’s not busting my ass for misbehaving. Before Alexei, I had a succession of older, grumpier men as bodyguards, and I have zero desire to replace him. Over the years, we have found a happy medium, and Alexei gives me more leeway than most would. I’m aware I’ve been pushing it lately, and last night was a wake-up call. I need to wise up and act smarter. “What’re you looking for?” I ask over a frown.
“Cohen Reynolds.”
I should’ve known he’d check the camera feed before seeking me out.
“Your sister know you’re fooling around with him?” He struggles to hide his smile. There is little love lost between him and Anya.
“I’m not fooling around with him, and no.”
“If you’re dating him, I’ll have to tell your father.”
“I’m not.”
A throat clears. “Am I interrupting?” Cohen arches a brow before dumping two bags on the island unit.
“How’d you get in here?” Alexei gruffly demands, instantly all up in his face.
Cohen squares up to my bodyguard, looking unruffled. “With a key.” Pulling my keychain out of his pants pocket, he dangles it off one finger.
Alexei swivels on his heels, fixing me with one of his special death glares. “You gave him the code? Stupid, stupid girl.”
I purse my lips, embarrassed to be chastised in front of Cohen. Before I can form a response, Cohen says, “That’s not nice.” He calmly sets the keys down on the counter. “Irina drank too much last night, and she asked me to take her home. I made her tell me the code so I could get her safely inside. If you’re that worried, just change it.” He tilts his head to the side. “Who are you anyway? I’ve seen you with Irina before.”
“He’s family,” I reply, playfully shoving Alexei. “He’s my annoying cousin, and he was just leaving.”
“I’m watching you.” Alexei points menacingly at Cohen, holding his gaze as he slowly backs up toward the door.
“I’m quaking in my boots,” Cohen deadpans without a hint of fear, and a laugh bursts from my chest.
Alexei looks like he wants to throw both of us out the window. “Thanks for stopping by, cuz.” I kiss him on both cheeks. “Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out,” I add, pushing him outside and slamming the door in his face.
Cohen chuckles. “Is he always that overprotective?”
“Yes.” It’s his job. “I thought you’d gone.”
He waggles his brows while unloading the contents of one bag. “Miss me?”
“Nope,” I lie as I walk into the kitchen. “Sure you got enough food there, buddy?”
“I didn’t know what you like, so I got a bunch of stuff,” he explains, moving on to the second bag. “Eggs, bacon, avocado. Pastries. Fruit. Granola. Yogurt. Pancakes. Waffles.”
Not sure my queasy stomach can handle much, but it’s a super thoughtful gesture, so I’ll try. It’d be rude not to. “Wow. You don’t do anything by half, do you?” Removing plates and glasses from the cupboard, I deposit them on the island unit before grabbing some silverware.
“Go big or go home is my motto in every aspect of my life.”
“I’m beginning to realize that.”
We sit side by side on stools as we eat and drink, talking about random stuff, and it’s nice. He’s easy to talk to when I forget I’m supposed to hate him. Before I realize it, hours have passed and I’m enjoying myself. We’ve moved out to my balcony with our coffees, chatting as we watch the hustle and bustle of weekend city life below us.
“Irina.”
Whipping my head around, I’m instantly snared by his gorgeous dark eyes. “What?” My heart speeds up, steadily pounding against my chest wall.
“Go out with me.” His earnest tone matches his serious expression.
I stare at him, thoroughly conflicted.
“Please,” he adds.
“Cohen, I?—”
“Don’t.” He stands abruptly. “Don’t give me your answer now. Think about it. Can you at least do that?”
It won’t make any difference, but he’s been so nice, caring, thoughtful, and generous, and I acquiesce before I can question the wisdom of it. “Okay. I’ll think about it.” Swiping my cell off the table, he hands it to me to unlock before adding his number and calling himself.
“I’ll message you tomorrow.”
My heart virtually launches out of my chest when he leans down, putting his face all up in mine, so close I can almost taste him. “Stop deluding yourself, and stop torturing both of us. Make the right call.” His lips press to the corner of my mouth, lingering for a few beats, and I swear I stop breathing. “See you later, princess.” Tossing me one of his signature smirks, he saunters off, leaving me struggling to catch my breath.
“Say yes, babe.” Cece clasps my face in her hands. “Go out with him. Let him wine and dine you. Spoil you like the princess he believes you are. Ride his cock a few times. Use him for the sex, and then dump him on your terms. I really don’t see any issue. He already passed your father’s background checks.”
“The issue is Anya.”
Cece rolls her eyes from her sprawled position on my couch. “Girl, you know what I’m going to say, and I’m seriously sounding like a broken record. Anya went out with him for a few weeks last year. They didn’t even fuck. It’s inconsequential.”
“That won’t matter to my sister. You know how she is.”
“You let her walk all over you, and I don’t understand it. Why?”
“Anya was there for me when Mama died. She took care of me.”
“You’ve more than paid her back for that. Anya is a selfish bitch who thinks about no one but herself. She sure as fuck wouldn’t hold back if the tables were turned. Remember Noah? She had no hesitation dating him after he’d kissed you and made his intentions toward you crystal clear. She stole him right out from under your nose, and you let her. I swear she only did it ’cause she thought you were into him. She dumped his pathetic ass a couple months later when she realized you didn’t give a shit.”
“That was petty and mean, for sure.”
“It’s way more than that, and you know it. Answer me one thing, and I want the honest truth. Do you like Cohen? Like really like him?”
I admit what I’ve been afraid to admit to myself. “Yes. He pushes my buttons like you wouldn’t believe, but I’ve never felt such a strong connection to any guy before. It was instant from the moment I met him. I have felt such huge guilt.” Crushing on your sister’s boyfriend is a major violation of the girl code.
She flips onto her side. “Now it’s making more sense. I get why you felt guilty when she was dating him, but they ended months ago. You have nothing to feel guilty about now. You share insane chemistry. Don’t deny yourself some fun. Send him a message.” She snags my cell off the coffee table and throws it to me. “Tell him yes. Do it now before you find some other reason to hold back. You deserve him.” Her eyes flash wickedly. “You deserve great sex. God knows that idiot Adrian didn’t satisfy you.”
“Truth,” I say, still a little hesitant.
“I’ll kick your ass if you don’t do it.” She eyes my hovering finger like she might chop it off if it doesn’t do the right thing.
“Okay. Here goes nothing.” I tap out a quick message to Cohen before eyeballing my bestie. “If this backfires, I’m totally blaming you.”
She cracks up laughing. “Girl. You’ll be toasting me at your wedding. Mark my words.”