He shrugs as more raindrops land on his forehead and slide down the hard angles of his face. “Let’s chalk it up to curiosity for now.”
I think that’s probably a good idea. “Fine. I have some elderly boarders, and I borrowed clothing from all of them. None of them are your size.”
He cocks his head. “Elderly boarders?”
“Yes.” I smile automatically as I think with fondness about the seven men. “They pay rent and keep the house I inherited in good condition.” Well, they try to keep it in good condition. Sometimes when they help, things get worse, but I choose not to share that with Alexei. Rain is soaking my hair and clothing, and I allow it, trying to feel what he does. How unimaginable to be kept cooped up inside a tiny cell, especially if you hadn’t done anything wrong.
He studies me as intently as he did the tree. “Why did you pick me up today?”
I shift my weight uneasily. “I didn’t want you to be alone your first minutes out.” His family doesn’t want him. It doesn’t seem like he has friends. The idea of him trying to hitch a ride into town all by himself kept me awake most of the night. Oh, I argued with myself whether I should pick him up or not. But in the end, I went with my heart.
“I’m not used to kindness,” he murmurs.
“I know.” I can’t even imagine what the last seven years in prison have been for a man like him, one who had all the wealth and freedom in the world, some that most of us can’t even imagine, and then to have it stripped away.
He moves toward me slowly—like the lazy panther across his neck. “Kindness is a danger to you, Rosalie.” He sounds as if he’s giving me a warning, and I heed it.
“I understand.”
He reaches out and smooths my wet hair away from my face to tuck behind my ear. I shiver, and it’s not from cold this time. His callused fingers are warm, and the deliberate movement enticing.
“You are beautiful.” His gaze drifts to my mouth.
I’m acutely aware of those hard muscles beneath those borrowed clothes, and for the briefest of moments, I’m tempted. Yes, I’m losing my mind. “You’re good-looking and have that dangerous vibe going on. Plus, you’ve been locked up, possibly unfairly, and you come from one of the most powerful families in the world.”
“Your point?”
Is he being dense on purpose?
“You will find plenty of women who will be happy to jump right into bed with you.” My mind flashes back to the video of him in the bar, throwing panties in the air to choose a woman to sleep with or at least kiss, depending on who waited in the wings for him. “I’m just the first woman you’ve seen in too long.”
His wide chest moves as he exhales. His gaze wanders down to my bare legs, up along my breasts, lingering long enough on my lips this time that they tingle. Then he meets my eyes, and his intense look is piercing. “You believe that, don’t you?”
That he can find willing partners? Even if he wasn’t a Sokolov, the hard angles of his face combine into something deadly alluring. Too dangerous to be handsome—his fierce features reveal the predator he doesn’t bother to hide. He not only promises a wild time, he naturally hints that it’d be worth every terrifying second. “Sure. You won’t be alone if you want company.”
“No. That there’s not something incredibly special about you.” He sounds curious.
“Um.” Where is he going with this?
The heat in his eyes has my knees weakening. “Not one inch of you is forgettable.”
“Thank you,” I breathe, feeling way too feminine. If I were a different woman, one who takes risk, I’d kiss him. Jump right into that temptation. But I need to win his case to rise to partner and gain some security, as well as money. “You’re compelling, Alexei. It’s that simple. I’m your lawyer, and we need to keep a professional relationship—especially if you want to stay out of prison. I’m sure the second you’re back on a stage with a guitar that you’ll have more, ah, interest than you want.”
A shield draws down over his eyes. “I’m done with the stage. Probably not music, but I’m not sharing that any longer.”
That’s his decision. “Have you written songs in prison?”
“No.” He steps away. “There’s no music in prison.”
While no emotion hints in his tone, a sadness wanders through me.
Thunder rolls deep and loud above us. We both automatically turn and get back inside the car. My hands not so steady, I pull away from the side of the road.
My phone buzzes.
Alexei looks beyond me to apparently read the navigation pane. “Who’s Merlin?”
Damn it. “A friend.”
