“I have my own clothes,” I whispered.
“You’re shaking.” His voice was a low reprimand. “Put it on. It’s soft. It’ll help.”
I should’ve said no and told him to leave. But the fabric looked warm, and my teeth were starting to chatter from the adrenaline crash. Plus, I needed to get out of this dress and heels.
“Want me to turn around?” he said.
I blinked. “Why?”
“So you can change without me seeing something you’re not ready for.”
My cheeks heated. I didn’t trust him with my heart—but oddly, I trusted him with my body.
“Or you can leave.” I pushed.
“I could. But I’ll be back so we can talk.”
“Fine. Turn around.”
Dmitri snickered and turned so that he couldn’t see me. Slowly, I pulled off my dress with trembling hands. Then slipped his shirt over my head. The longer length made it fit like a comfortable dress. Not tight, but not super loose either. Of course it did. He was built like he’d fought wars and won them. His shirts had to go over broad shoulders, guns for arms, and that chest of his that kept inviting me in for another hug or worse–me lying on his chest.
“All done.”
When he turned back around, he was watching me with the kind of control that made my breath snag.
“Why are you so tense? Did you peek?” I asked, putting my hand on my hip.
“No, but I could see your shadow.” He hissed.
I looked forward and over to the right to see what he meant. Sure, he didn’t have all the details, but the outline of my body was obvious.
He approached the bed and lifted the covers with one hand. “Lie down.”
“I’m not a child.”
“Good,” he murmured, “because the way I’m looking at you isn’t child-safe.”
My breath caught. But he didn’t touch. Didn’t smirk. He simply waited. I climbed under the blankets, needing a barrier between us. He tucked the covers around my shoulders carefully—as if he was scared I might break.
“You’re safe,” he said quietly.
I didn’t respond.
He stepped back but didn’t leave.
“You going to stand there all night?” I asked, trying to sound annoyed.
“No, but if you want me to…”
I rolled my eyes, but the truth was him being there made the room feel less dark.
“Goodnight, Natasha.” His voice was more gentle than I’d ever heard it. “I’m right outside.”
He pulled the door close, leaving it cracked. I exhaled, needing space from him to clear my own thoughts. Today had been heavy, and I needed a break to gather myself to figure out how I was feeling. The accident happened suddenly.
The car that ran me off the road was a small black sports car. It sped up when I got a few miles on to the highway. First, they tried to cut me off, then they became aggressive. Pushing me from the other lane until they rammed the side. Over and over. When I hit the brakes, allowing them to speed by me, they cut me off, and waited for me to drive. Each time I tried to switch lanes, it was the same thing.
That’s when the black SUV showed up. As well as police sirens. It triggered the car in front of me to speed off, and I took the first available exit. I was shook, but more determined to get through the situation. The SUV wouldn’t go away, and that’s the reason that I called Cori. I didn’t want to lead them to my apartment.
