Chapter Four #2
Furiously, she fought the urge to fidget.
To show weakness. To remember with a sinking bleakness in her belly that Gunnar had told her Valenti had been drawn to Helga initially because of her brilliant medical acumen but also because of her sister’s bold and fearless outlook on life, especially in helping those in need.
That she’d used her platform as a renowned doctor to broadcast her outspoken stance on human rights issues, a stance that had drawn the attention of eager acolytes and benign institutions, but also, eventually, dangerous, heartless enemies.
Did it upset her that she’d had to learn all these things about her own sister from articles and online posts alongside conflicting and secondhand speculation about how she’d died?
Yes. Helga had been far too busy to share the ins and outs of her life with her little sister.
And after her death, her brother had found every excuse not to talk about the sister they’d both idolised, his grief too overwhelming.
The result was that Lotte was still in the dark as to what really happened to rip her sister away.
The few times she’d attempted to broach the subject with Valenti, he’d shut her down.
Lotte knew that in his eyes she didn’t measure up to her illustrious sister.
Wasn’t that why his geniality had gradually cooled as she got older?
Why for the last three years he’d all but pretended she didn’t exist?
Why he even now deemed her insignificant when she was standing two feet in front of him?
Lotte swallowed the building lump in her throat and ferociously blanked her expression as he responded.
‘You’ll probably be wasting your time and mine, but sure, let’s hear it.’
She clenched her fist, utterly disarmed by the need to slap his face. She, who abhorred violence, promoted peace and kindness at the beginning and end of every post because it was the very opposite thing that’d wrenched her sister from her?
Shaking her head inwardly, she tried to regain her composure. To remember that speaking to Valenti in the same robotlike manner gained her more ground than throwing about emotional pleas and heated protests. Those he batted away like irritating nuisances.
‘I’ll stay in your cabin…for a reasonable amount of time to be discussed between us like rational adults, if you leave and let your security team take over my protection.’
For the longest time she held her breath as he studied her like a science project under a microscope. Then he slowly strode back to where she stood.
Paused long enough to give her a one-word response. ‘No.’
By morning, Lotte was convinced she was on the brink of insanity.
Besides using the bathroom upstairs she’d had no choice but to remain in the living room, subjected to his overwhelming presence every second.
The only other room besides the open living and kitchen area was the tiny office that contained a desk and chair, and one wall filled with books.
At any other time she would have found this place absolutely darling.
Not today.
Valenti’s point-blank refusal to leave her with his bodyguards unsettled her more than she was willing to admit.
The possibility had dominated her mind when he’d eventually divulged their destination.
Her every dread unfolding had her dragging her fingers through her hair, resisting the urge to pace the living room.
Because on top of not knowing vital details about her sister’s life, she also hadn’t been able to verify if Helga and Valenti were an item.
And the last thing she wanted—even though her mind and body had different ideas—was to have feelings for her sister’s ex.
Are you sure?
She slammed down the taunting whisper. Hard.
‘If you’re in search of something to do, you can come over here and help.’
That her senses instantly jumped at his voice sent her spiralling faster.
He’d come down the stairs ten minutes ago, taken one tight-lipped look at her curled in the corner of the sofa she hadn’t bothered to pull out into a proper bed, and sauntered past to the kitchen to start putting together their meal.
She eyed the front door, every bone in her body yearning to escape this situation. Accepting that she couldn’t, for now, she joined him in the kitchen, sternly refusing to stare at the towering body clad in cargo pants and one of those thin insulated sweaters that cost a small fortune.
After a long glance, he nudged his chin at the fruit that needed cutting.
They worked in silence for all of a minute before the madness threatened again.
‘How long could you expect this to take? You’re supposed to be good at all of this.
’ She waved the knife and then stopped when she saw his pointed glance at it.
‘I’m not going to attack you if that’s what you’re afraid of. ’
One brow lifted. ‘Not at all. But what you need to be worried about is what I’ll do if you injure yourself.’
‘What will you do? Put me over your knee and spank me?’
Oh sweet heaven.
She stopped breathing. Wished fervently with every atom of her being for the flames engulfing her face to devour her whole and leave her in a pile of ash at his feet.
They lapsed into silence, a state he was terrifyingly comfortable in all through breakfast and the rest of the long, snow-laden day.
Lotte was almost grateful when he bit out a terse goodnight just after sundown and climbed the stairs into his bedroom.
Bundled up on the sofa bed—which he’d pulled out and dressed in fresh sheets and blankets while she was brushing her teeth—she twisted.
Turned. Then groaned her frustration. The temptation to demand her phone was strong.
But adversely, she was thankful for its temporary absence.
As much as she loved interacting with her followers, she would’ve found it a strain to remain upbeat.
Especially in light of a threat she’d hoped, prayed, wasn’t serious but had proved otherwise.
Unable to remain still, she jumped up, paced the living room, then desperate for further reprieve, she threw on her coat and faux fur–lined boots and stepped out of the front door.
The snow had stopped several hours ago, and the midnight sky was clear enough for the carpet of stars to twinkle brightly overhead. Stepping off the porch, welcoming the soothing crunch of fresh snow beneath her feet, she sucked in what felt like her first full breath since forever.
Only to yelp in alarm when a strong arm closed around her waist and lifted her clean off her feet.
‘Wait! What are you doing?’
‘I should be asking you the same question,’ Valenti replied icily as he marched back towards the cabin. ‘How far did you think you were going to get? Let me answer that for you. Not very far.’
Her mouth gaped. ‘What? You think…?’ She laughed at the absurd inference. ‘I wasn’t running away. Regardless of what you think of me I’m not stupid enough to cast myself into an icy tundra in the middle of the night.’
He set her down on the porch and glared icy bullets at her. ‘Then why were you out there?’
‘Because I can’t sleep! The bed is lumpy, it creaks and…and there’s an awful draft.’ She sounded like a shrill petulant toddler. And in some ways that was what she was because it was the role he’d cast her in. So really none of this was her fault.
Come on, really? What next? You’re going to blame him for how gorgeous and Insta-worthy he looked silhouetted against the snow? How strong and virile with his piercing silver eyes and lock of inky black hair falling over his brow?
She cringed at the mocking voice as she marched back into the cabin. Refused to turn when she heard him shut and bolt the door. Refused to witness the pity or irritation at her tantrum.
Until the distinctive creak spun her around.
‘Wh-what are you doing?’ she stammered, something distinctly hot and disturbing stirring in her middle as she watched him slide into the place she’d been only ten minutes ago.
‘Solving another problem for you. I’ll take the sofa. You take my bed.’
Her jaw dropped as she stood frozen, unable to take her eyes off him.
‘It’s the middle of the night, Lotte. Take my bed.
Or don’t.’ He reached out and flicked off the lamp next to the bed, plunging the room into semi darkness.
His body’s outline right there sent shivers through her.
Keeping her immobile for far too long watching the steady unperturbed rise and fall of his chest.
Eventually registering that it was decidedly creepy just standing there staring at him, she stumbled away and on shaky legs, climbed the stairs. Sensation rapidly resembling anticipation sizzled through her blood as she approached his bedroom.
In the doorway she stopped, swallowed at the sight of the rumpled bed, the image of Valenti sprawled between the dark sheets sending fresh waves of heat through her.
Telling herself she hadn’t asked for this bed but would happily take it in recompense for Valenti’s misconception of her, she shed her outer clothes, leaving only her nightshirt, and crawled between the sheets.
It was mildly infuriating to welcome the deep comfort of Valenti’s bed. To sigh with almost embarrassing contentment as the residual warmth he’d left behind engulfed her. As she took a deep breath of his incredible smell and shamelessly burrowed into the nearest pillow.
If she’d hoped the change of bed would calm her restless mind, she was wrong.
Her body sinuously stretched from one comfortable position to the other, a different madness taking over.
One that teased her with blush-inducing flashes.
Of Valenti. In bed with her. Not a single combative word between them.
Instead hot, seductive words that made her writhe faster, moan longingly and…