My eyelids snap open as a shrill, earsplitting sound fills the air.
The house alarm has been triggered, I realize.
Roman bursts through my bedroom door wearing only a pair of unbuttoned jeans and clutching a gun. He grabs me by the elbow with his free hand and hauls me out of bed.
He freezes when the sheet slides off of my body to reveal I’m not wearing pajamas, his fingers continuing to bite into my flesh. When I wince, he comes alive and drags me to the bathroom.
“Stay in here until I return,” he orders gruffly.
“What’s going on? Did someone break into the house?” My mind conjures up an image of Victor Dmitriyev, knife in hand, coming for me just like he promised. A sliver of fear scampers down my spine.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure as fuck going to find out. Don’t open the door for anyone.” His gaze turns stern. “You got it?”
I nod and move further into the bathroom. Even though his eyes never deviate from mine, I’m uncomfortably aware of my nudity.
“And find something to cover yourself up with,” he snaps, slamming the door in my face.
I went to bed in a tank top and underwear up until tonight. But I was restless and uncomfortable. Once Roman began staying in the guest room, I decided to sleep as I normally did—in the buff.
I’d considered calling my father to ask him to call off his guard dog after Roman stalked away from the dinner table because everything had been quiet for almost two weeks.
As far as I was concerned, Roman’s presence in my house—in my life—was unnecessary.
Thank goodness, I hadn’t done that. Or I would be here alone, facing whoever’s out there by myself.
Locking the bathroom door, I snatch my robe off the hook and wrap it around my body. It’s short and silky and doesn’t leave much to the imagination. But then again, it wasn’t designed to.
I sit on the closed toilet seat and fold my arms across my chest. Every little noise sends me into a full-fledged panic. Roman is the best there is, but I still expect Victor—or another man like him—to come crashing through the door. I shudder while recalling how he held the knife against my throat, the way he squeezed my breast, and how he licked the side of my face.
I jump off the toilet seat when the door handle rattles. My eyes dart to the small window, and I wonder if I can squeeze through it if necessary.
Doubtful.
There’s nowhere for me to go. I’m trapped.
“Open the door, Sofia,” Roman says.
Exhaling in relief, I lunge for the door and turn the handle with shaky fingers. Our eyes meet for a moment, but then mine drop to his bare chest. And then lower to the unfastened fly of his jeans, where I follow the trail of dark hair until it disappears under the denim. Roman clears his throat, and my eyes snap back to his.
“I didn’t find any signs that the windows or doors had been tampered with. I’m not sure what happened.” He shrugs. “Maybe it was a false alarm.”
I study his closed-off expression. “But you don’t think so?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
He arches an eyebrow. “Has your alarm ever gone off for no apparent reason?”
Point taken.
“No,” I admit.
This is a new alarm. It could be sensitive. But since nothing has been settled with Victor Dmitriyev, I doubt this is a coincidence. The most likely explanation is that the Russians’ impatience with the missing shipment is showing.
“I’ll take a closer look at the security footage in the morning and see if anything pops up. If someone was out there, they’re long gone by now. I checked the neighboring yards. They’ll be expecting reinforcements to show up. Nothing more is going to happen tonight.”
“Okay.” I tighten my robe around myself. “I guess it’s safe to go back to bed then.”
Roman doesn’t move from the doorway, so I slip past him, my body brushing against his half-naked one. Desire slides through me and pools at my core. Even though I’d been scared out of my mind moments ago, my body still responds to him.
“You might want to consider sleeping in pajamas from now on,” he grates out.
I glance over my shoulder. My mouth dries when our eyes lock, and I see the hunger in his gaze. I may have told myself that I was moving on, but I haven’t. For reasons I don’t understand, this is the man I want.
I nod. “Okay.”
Roman takes a cautious step toward me. “Do you always sleep in the nude?”
I shrug. “I like the feel of the sheets against my skin.” Ever since I bought my own house, I’ve foregone any clothing at night. It feels… freeing. And it’s my house, so I can do whatever I want.
He curses under his breath and shoves the gun into his waistband. Then he gives me a slow once-over.
The air between us electrifies as we stare at each other.
Not giving any thought to the repercussions, I release the edges of the fabric and allow the robe to part. The luxurious material clings to the tips of my breasts, giving Roman a full view of my body.
His jaw locks, the tightly held muscles ticking under his skin as his eyes drop to the valley between my breasts, the smooth skin of my belly, and then my thighs. His gaze lingers on the V between my legs, sending another wave of desire cascading over me.
Drawn to him, I close the distance between us.
He backs away toward the door leading to the hallway, eyeing me warily. “What are you doing?” he rasps.
I have no idea.
But it feels amazing.
His typical cold detachment is gone. Roman looks anything but indifferent. The way he watches me with rapt interest makes me want to push his buttons.
I take a deep breath and shrug out of the robe, letting the material puddle around my feet.
Roman’s dark eyes widen, the pupils dilating, and roam over my body. “Sofia…” he chokes out.
Standing naked in front of him feels freeing. Like I’m finally taking control of the situation. If he won’t give me the answers I seek, I’ll push until I figure them out for myself.
“I’m going to bed,” I say casually, fighting off the urge to smile. “It’s late, and I have to be up early for work in the morning.”
“Aren’t you going to put something on?” he asks, his voice sounding raw.
For the first time, I feel like I’ve managed to wrestle control away from him. I love it.
Meeting his gaze, I shrug. “Why should I?”
His teeth snap together at my blasé answer.
“You said nothing more would happen tonight.” Throwing his own words back at him makes me feel giddy and light. “If anyone was out there, they’re long gone, right?” I blink innocently. “But if you’re concerned, you could always join me in here.”
Fire burns in his eyes.
The proverbial devil sitting on my shoulder spurs me to add, “Think about how much safer I would be with you next to me in bed.”
“No!” Roman roars, his face beet red. He looks like he’s about to explode.
Which is… interesting.
And oh-so-very satisfying.
He glowers at me, his hands fisted at his sides.
I turn toward the bed, giving him a view of my naked backside. “All right then. Good night.”
Still, he doesn’t budge.
Excitement dances in the pit of my belly. And lower. Much lower. Unable to stop myself, I toss a sultry look over my shoulder…
And catch him staring at my ass.
He looks torn.
“Sure you don’t want to join me?” I ask huskily.
His startled gaze snaps to mine. He scowls and storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
I wince as the door rattles on its hinges and release a pent-up breath.
He stomps down the short hallway and bangs his bedroom door shut as well.
I’ve never seen Roman fly off the handle. Not like this. His restraint is one of the qualities that make him such an asset to my father and the organization. He’s unflappable.
But his control slipped tonight, which is confirmation that I really do affect him.
Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed him to his breaking point, but I’m glad I did. He doesn’t want to give me answers, and that’s fine.
I’ll get them a different way.