Chapter 3
Three
MAYA
I’m not expecting anyone. So when the doorbell rings, I freeze mid-scroll through another job rejection email and stare at my phone like it’s going to tell me who’s at the gate.
The bell rings again.
I set my laptop aside and walk to the front door, hitting the intercom button.
“Hello?”
Silence.
Then, “Maya.”
That voice. Deep. Rough. The one I hear whisper nasty things in my ear at night…
It’s Mikhail.
My stomach fills with butterflies, and I’m suddenly very aware that I’m wearing a sundress with no bra, my hair’s a mess, and oh God, why is he here?!
I buzz the gate open before my brain catches up with my body.
I open the door and step outside, and there he is. Mikhail Maksimov. In dark jeans and a black t-shirt that stretches across his impossibly broad chest. His hard jaw unshaven, his ice-blue eyes locked on me, and he’s not saying a word. Just staring.
My mouth goes dry. “Mikhail?” Of course, he doesn’t say anything.
And then I notice the tiny hand in his.
I blink and look down.
There’s an adorable little girl standing next to him. She has the same dark hair as him, parted in two braids, big blue eyes, and a sparkly pink backpack almost as big as she is.
She’s holding an old stuffed bear and looking up at me with the kind of unfiltered curiosity only kids have.
“Hi!” she says brightly. “I’m Sofia!”
My brain short-circuits.
Mikhail. With a child. Is she his daughter? Oh my God, does my crush have a wife, fiancée, girlfriend, any kind of baby mama?!
This giant, terrifying man, who doesn’t talk and looks like he eats nails for breakfast, is holding a little girl’s hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
And she’s smiling up at him like he hung the moon.
I don’t know what to do with any of this.
“Um… hi, Sofia. I’m Maya.”
“That’s a very pretty name!” She beams up at me. “Uncle Misha says you’re going to be my friend!”
“Oh…”
Uncle Misha.
I glance up at Mikhail, and he’s just… looking at me. Not explaining shit. Just standing there like it’s perfectly normal for him to show up at my door after pretty much pretending I didn’t exist for weeks. With his freaking niece!
His jaw tightens. Shit, that shouldn’t be this sexy. And he grumbles, “You’re coming with us.”
I blink. “What?”
“My sister’s sick. Sofia needs someone to watch her. You’re coming.”
Is he serious right now? “Mikhail, you can’t just…”
He takes a step closer, not saying a word, just towering over me. Invading my space with his huge body, his warmth, his scent, his insane hotness. Oh Lord…
My pulse kicks up. “I can’t leave. I’m… house-sitting?” I ask more than I say.
“You’re not doing shit.”
Rude, but also… not untrue.
Sofia tugs on his hand. “Uncle Misha, you’re supposed to ask nicely.”
His eyes flick down to her, and I watch in fascination as his expression softens. My poor ovaries are about to explode from cuteness overload.
He looks back at me, rumbling in a deadpan tone, “Please.”
I let out an involuntary bark of laughter. This is the least convincing “please” I’ve ever heard in my life, but coming from him? It might as well be a marriage proposal.
Sofia lets go of his hand and takes a step toward me. “My mommy and daddy are really sick. Like, super sick. They’re coughing and snotting. And Mommy said I have to stay with Uncle Misha so I don’t get sick too. But he’s not very good at talking.”
I smile at her, reaching out to smooth her hair. “I noticed, honey.”
“So we need you! Will you help? Pleeeease.”
She’s looking up at me with her big, hopeful eyes, and I’m done for. Because how am I supposed to say no to this adorable little princess? And how am I supposed to say no to my hot, grumpy-ass neighbor when he’s standing there, holding her hand, just trying to be a good uncle? Ugh!
I let out a long breath. “Fine.”
Sofia squeals and claps her hands. “Yay! This is going to be so much fun!”
Mikhail doesn’t smile. Doesn’t say thank you. He just nods once, like he knew I’d say yes all along. Ass. But also… kind of hot? What is wrong with me?
“Pack a bag.”
I blink. “Why? I can just come over when you need me. Help with Sofia during the day and come back here at night…”
Again with the stare. Gah!
“Go. Pack.” His tone leaves no room for argument. And my traitorous body is literally melting at his low, gravely voice ordering me around. More of that, please. Except in bed…
I shake my head. “That’s not… I don’t need to move into your place…”
He steps closer. Close enough that I have to tilt my head way back to hold his gaze. “Maya.”
Just my name. That’s all he says. But the way he says it… My brain goes fuzzy. My knees feel weak. And I hear myself reply, “Fine. I’ll pack a bag.”
Sofia bounces with excitement. “Yay! Sleepover!”
I head inside, and when I glance back, he’s right behind me. Freaking following me into the pool house.
“Seriously?”
He doesn’t answer. Just plants himself in the doorway, his huge arms crossed over his enormous chest, watching me.
Sofia skips past him. “Your house is so cute! Do you live alone?”
“Yeah. It’s my friend Ana’s place. She’s letting me stay here while she’s traveling.”
“That’s nice. Uncle Misha lives alone too. His house is really big.”
I grab my small travel bag from the closet and start throwing clothes in.
Jeans. T-shirts. A hoodie. My brain’s not really working right now because Mikhail Maksimov is standing in my space, taking up all the oxygen, and I can feel his eyes on me.
Oh, and he talked to me. Wants me to come stay at his house… what is even my life?!
“How long do you need me to stay?” I ask, not looking at him.
“Few days.”
I snort. “That’s specific.”
He grunts.
Sofia giggles. “He does that a lot.”
I grab my toiletries from the bathroom, shove them into the bag, and zip it. “Okay. I’m ready.”
Mikhail’s gaze drops to the bag, then back to my face. “That’s it?”
“Well, yeah. You said a few days.”
His jaw tightens again, and I swear I could come just staring at that muscle flex in his cheek. But he doesn’t argue. Just turns and walks out.
Sofia hops off the couch and grabs my hand. “Come on! You’re going to love Uncle Misha’s house. It’s so big and fancy. And he has the best kitchen!”
“Really? Does he cook?”
“Yep! He makes the best pancakes. And he lets me put as much syrup as I want.”
“Really?”
I glance at Mikhail’s broad back as we follow him out. Muscles rolling under the thin cotton fabric of his shirt. Who would have thought that big, scary Russian mobster is a sweetie with his little niece?
Sofia nods enthusiastically. “Uh-huh. He’s really good at cooking. And he gives the best hugs. And he lets me watch TV for as long as I want. He’s the best,” she concludes with a warm smile, showing off a couple of missing teeth.
Warmth spreads through my chest. Sofia clearly adores her uncle. And watching her hold his hand, chatting away while he listens in silence… is doing something to me. Something I wasn’t prepared for. It’s no longer just my panties that are in danger of self-combusting around this man…
We take the short walk next door, and Mikhail unlocks the gate to his property.
Oh, when I say property, I mean freaking mansion! Just like Mitya and Ana’s place, his house is fucking massive too. Modern, all clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s the kind of luxury houses you see in magazines. Another home I definitely don’t belong in.
Sofia tugs me forward. “Come on! I’ll show you my room!”
Mikhail’s hand lands on the small of my back. It’s just a brief touch, but it sends electricity running through my body. The heat of his palm, how large it is… Deep breaths, Maya.