Chapter 16 #2
She rolled her eyes and brushed nonexistent hair from her face.
Another act of nervousness. Why was it that I enjoyed making her anxious?
“I found it interesting that the police didn’t bother entering the hotel.
Now, I had to wonder why they wouldn’t at least desire to have a basic conversation with the only other witness. Did you have anything to do with that?”
How was I supposed to answer that without her second guessing me? Although if I had to guess, I’d say she was intent on hating me, so what did I have to lose by telling the truth? “You’d been through enough and I was the one the assailants were after.”
For a few seconds, her tough demeanor defaulted, her eyes reflecting fear.
She leaned in towards me. “What about the pictures? Did you arrange for someone to photograph us together, to take advantage of my mistake in trusting you even for a little while? Perhaps a sexy little trophy you keep of all your conquests? I can just see a bulletin board now filled with pictures of all the women you’ve fucked.
Do you have any idea how difficult enjoying a few moments for myself has been in my life?
Do you know how difficult it is being a single mother and not being able to provide what your baby girl needs no matter how hard you work or how many hours you put in? ”
Goddamn it, I had no idea what to say to her. I could sit in front of a room full of wary investors and sell them a fucking volcano in the middle of the glaciers, yet I was dumbfounded too often around her.
“No, of course not,” she said, sighing as if she’d come to a final conclusion about her feelings for me.
“You’re a rich, sexy guy. You can say and do and have anyone you want.
But not me. Just leave me alone and I promise you that I have no intention of sharing with anyone what happened last night.
I’ve already gotten enough grief for being stupid enough to go on a date with you. So do me a favor, stay far away.”
“I would never take advantage of our time together, Halle. I don’t want or need trophies. I’m not who you think I am. Never would I ever sanction intimate photographs.”
She was exasperated, her chest heaving. “Then who the hell did?” Wincing, she bit her lower lip. “Then who did? And why?”
“That’s something I intend on finding out. I would never intentionally place you or your family in harm’s way.”
“But that’s happened. Right?”
Why did I have the feeling she wasn’t telling me something? “Were you threatened?”
A quick flash on her face indicated I was right. I obviously puffed up in defense given she smiled, placing her hand on my chest.
“Just a breather on the other end of the line. Back off, big boy. I can protect myself. However, it’s obvious you need a little help in the protection department.” She tossed an arrogant nod around me to the men sitting in the SUV parked behind my vehicle. She was an absolute firecracker.
“A requirement of my brother.”
“Your brother the Pakhan? The big powerful Russian running this city with an iron fist?” I’d heard the categorization of our family by one of the networks. As always, their reporting of my family and our accomplishments were a bit outlandish.
“Yes, he’s the Pakhan.”
“Which makes you what, a lieutenant or maybe… A thug.” Every laugh brought another wave of desire, this time strong enough I reached out intending to yank her against me, only finding control at the last second.
“Something like that.”
“Well, as I said, I can take care of myself. Now, go find another trophy.”
She tried to close the door in my face and maybe I should have been a nice guy for a change and honored her wishes.
But I didn’t.
I purposely put my foot beside hers in the doorway, pressing my hand against the door and inching closer.
Her breath hitched, the nervous tic on her mouth shifting to a heavy increase of her pulse as evidenced by the wild thumping in her neck.
Her scent had already driven me wild, although I also detected a slight hint of smoke.
She’d been involved in another fire.
The rather chauvinistic man my father had taught me to be rushed to the surface. I not only wanted to possess every inch of her, I wanted to protect her. To make her life better.
And nothing she could say or do would deter me from doing so.
“I’m not leaving, Halle. Not right away. I don’t want to destroy your life. Just the contrary, but there are some things you need to know.”
We were now so close I could lower my head and kiss her soft lips, taking her into my arms and forgetting about everything but the intense cravings furrowing deep inside.
When I dared slip my finger under Halle’s chin, lifting ever so slowly, I could tell by yet another flash in her eyes that there was a part of her, however small, that longed for the same thing.
The moment was captured with labored breathing and a quick dart of her tongue across her bottom lip.
My fucking God, I wanted this woman.
“Mommy. I’m hungry.”
Emily’s little voice immediately broke the spell.
While Halle’s expression hardened, the fact she reached out gripping my shirt was a good sign. And one I planned on taking full advantage of.
“Fine. You can stay, but you will be required to work.”
Her words were so unexpected I laughed. “What does that mean, Captain?”
“That means you interrupted girls’ pizza and movie night.”
“Would you like me to order a pizza?”
At least her laugh was different than before, no longer laced with utter sarcasm.
She finally took a step away, allowing me to walk into her home.
“You rich people are all alike. You can’t see the beauty in creating things for yourself.
Homemade pizza, Mr. Dmitriyev. The best pizza pie you’ll ever consume.
” She grabbed the bottles of wine from my hand and I could tell by her quick look she was surprised at my selection.
Or maybe pissed since it was evident she knew they were pricy.
Had I been trying to impress her?
Absolutely.
Even as she turned around, laughing at my suggestion, I wasn’t insulted in the least. As I closed and locked the door behind me, I realized that my feelings for her far surpassed just physical attraction into something much deeper.
Much stronger.
I enjoyed her company. I simply wanted to spend time around her. However possible. Including with her daughter. How strange. How… different.
“Ah, is he having dinner with us, Mommy?” Emily peered up at me with such imploring eyes, eyes that were entirely her mother.
“Is that okay with you?” I asked.
She scrunched up her little nose. “Do you like Dumbo?”
Halle placed her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.
It took me a couple of minutes to even figure out who the little girl was talking about. “I don’t think I’d like to meet him in person. Scary.”
I’d be damned if the little cherub didn’t roll her eyes at me just like her mother had done. Her sigh was heavy, her shoulders rising and falling dramatically. “Not in person, silly. Dumbo doesn’t exist. He’s in a movie. But don’t worry. If you’re scared, I’ll protect you.”
I adored my second cousin. Nina was a special little girl, but I’d never truly bonded with her.
Not like my brothers had done. Maybe I hadn’t considered myself worthy of her or possibly I’d felt like having a child in the mix was a burden.
But the way Emily reacted to me, her adorable smile and her ability to still see the world through innocent eyes threw me.
Another ache formed deep in my gut. Maybe I craved having a family of my own.
“Of course. And I’ll feel much safer with you protecting me.”
She stuck her little arm out for a handshake. “Then it’s a deal.” The moment I shook her hand I heard a slight gasp coming from Halle.
“A deal.”
“Mommy. He can stay.”
Halle couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Come on, big boy. Let’s get started. Drink your juice, baby girl. Dinner won’t take long.”
And just like that, another layer of ice had been broken.
There was something very special about being invited into their lives. If only for one night. If only because I’d forced my way in.
But I refused to take it for granted.
Yet in the back of my mind, I knew this was just the beginning. If for no other reason than that my gut told me she was in danger.