“You really think so?”

“Yes. It’s so sleek and snazzy. I love it.”

He couldn’t believe it. “Very good. I am glad.”

She walked to the wall of windows that made up one side of the living room. “And this view is just to die for.”

Now he was grinning. “It is good. Come. I’ll show you the room you can have.”

Still carrying the bags, he led her down one of the short halls on the other side of the living room. There were two reasons he wanted her in this room. First, it was the plushest and done with the most color, although only one—blue. But many shades of blue. And secondly, it was the closest to the master bedroom.

And he wanted her close.

He turned the lights on and stood back to let her go in.

“How pretty. This looks like a spa bedroom. If spas had bedrooms.” She sat on the bed, bouncing a little. “This is great.”

He set her bag down on the chaise in the reading nook and tipped his head to the left side of the bed. “The bathroom’s through that door, other side is the closet. If you need anything, just let me know.”

She stood and took a few steps toward him. “There is one thing I need.”

He rolled his shoulders. “Anything. Just name it. If I don’t have it, I’ll have Harlan get it in the morning. Or now. I can call him, or—”

She put her finger to his lips. “You have it.”

He raised his brows.

She nodded and took her finger away. “Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Time.”

“You want…time?”

She smiled and slipped her arms around him. “With you. I’m not ready to go to bed yet. I know I should. I know tomorrow begins a very stressful, busy stretch of time for both of us. But I’m just not ready for all of that yet.”

“Me either.” He leaned his head against hers. “What do you want to do?”

“We can sit on the couch and stare out at the lights, for all I care.”

“Okay.” He thought for a second. “It’s cold outside, but I have a fireplace on the balcony as well as inside. The view from out there is even better, though. You can see the city and the stars.”

“That sounds perfect. And I won’t be cold if you keep me warm.”

“I will not let you be cold.” He took her hand, and they walked out to the balcony, which was a huge space that held a large seating area, a dining table and chairs, and an outdoor kitchen. He started a fire with two taps of the remote control, then they settled onto the center of the biggest couch.

He held her wrapped in his arms and allowed his inner furnace to burn a little brighter. “Warm enough?”

She nodded and laid her head on his chest. “Perfect.”

They sat there in absolute, comfortable silence for a long time. He ran his hand over her hair, marveling at the silkiness of it.

She splayed her fingers on his chest. “I have to see my father tomorrow.”

“I know.” He let a few more quiet seconds tick by. “Do you want me to go with you?”

“Yes. But no.” She sighed. “I don’t want him to know that you and I have become close. He’ll use that against me.”

“Do you want him to think that I am here because of your power over me?”

She shook her head a little. “I’m not going to ask you to do that.”

“I will do anything that will help you earn your freedom.” He didn’t think he’d ever spoken truer words. “Would that be best for him to think?”

She didn’t answer right away, and when she did, there was resignation in her voice. “Yes.”

“Then I will do it. I remember what it felt like. I can imitate it again, if need be.”

She sat up to look at him. “You won’t have to do it much. You might not have to do it at all, really. Would you normally see him before a fight?”

“Yes. At weigh-in and for a few minutes in the dressing room.”

She stiffened a little. “Oh.”

“Don’t worry, zolotse, I can handle it.”

“I know you can.” She put her head back down, and they returned to companionable silence.

Until a new thought crept into his head. “Won’t he wonder why you are not staying at the Shamrock?”

“If it comes up, I’ll tell him I need to keep you in my sway. It’s happened before. He doesn’t monitor my every move. At least, I don’t think he does. In theory, he shouldn’t need to since I’m sort of tied to him anyway.” She took a few deep breaths. “Do you not want him to know where I’m really staying?”

“The only thing I want is for you to be safe. You can tell him you’re staying here if you want. He will not get farther than the lobby anyway.”

“Okay.” She yawned and sat up again, this time putting her arms around his shoulders and nuzzling his neck.

The soft caress of her breath on his skin sent shivers of desire through him. He tilted his head to give her more access.

Gentle, feathery kisses below his ear followed, and he moaned in pleasure.

She pulled back, smiling, eyes heavy-lidded. “I do love you, Ivan Tsvetkov. And no matter what happens in these next few days, I want you to know that I have had the time of my life with you. Thank you for everything.”

“You are welcome, beautiful Monalisa. Now we should go to bed. To our own beds,” he clarified. “Otherwise, your kisses may lead us down a very different path.”