"I'm not the enemy," I said.
"Could've fooled me." She moved to the window, putting distance between us. "You show up, tell me I'm a liability, announce that you're going to follow me everywhere like some kind of prison guard, and now you're surprised I'm pissed off?"
"I didn't call you a liability. Olek did. And I corrected him."
"Oh, great. So I should be grateful?" She spun to face me, eyes flashing. "Thank you so much for not treating me like a problem that needs solving."
"You are a problem," I said. "Just not the kind he thinks."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
I moved closer, slow and deliberate. "You're a problem because I can't stop thinking about you. Because every time you walk past me, I have to remind myself not to touch you. Because the thought of you going anywhere without me makes me want to break things."
Her breath caught. "Mikhail."
"I'm not doing this because Olek told me to," I continued, closing the distance between us. "I'm doing this because the alternative is watching you from a distance and slowly losing my mind. At least this way, I can keep you safe."
"I don't need you to keep me safe."
"Yes, you do." I was close enough now to see the pulse hammering at her throat and her breath hitch. "And whether you want to admit it or not, you know it."
For a long moment, we just stood there tense. Then Shanice lifted her chin, defiant as ever.
"Fine," she said. "You want to be my shadow? Go ahead. But don't expect me to make it easy on you."
I smiled. About damn time. "I wouldn't want you to."
Her eyes narrowed. "I'm serious, Mikhail. I'm going to live my life. If you can't keep up, that's your problem."
"I'll keep up."
"We'll see." She moved past me, reaching for the door. "Now get out. Your five minutes are up."
I left, but not before letting my fingers brush against her hip as I passed. Just a touch, barely there, but enough to make her suck in a breath. At that moment, I knew that Shanice was doomed. Because she wanted me too. And if just a brush of our hands was enough to set her aflame, I could only imagine what would happen if she submitted her entire body to me. She’d feel more than a startling spark. She’d become engulfed.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
Mikhail
Ipicked Shanice up at nine the next morning for the trip to her apartment.
She came down the stairs wearing jeans that hugged every curve and a pale pink leather jacket that made her look like she could handle herself in a fight. Her hair was down today, falling in soft waves past her shoulders, and I had to shove my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching out and tangling my fingers in it.
Why is she so damn irresistible?
"Ready?" I asked.
"As I'll ever be." Her voice was tight, and I could see the tension in her shoulders. Oh, the fight was with me.
Interesting.
Going back to that apartment was going to be hard for her. I knew that. But she needed her things, and putting it off wasn't going to make it easier. My guess was that she’d turned thatfrustration into something to hate Mikhail for. Noted. I accepted the assignment and
I led her out to the SUV, opening the passenger door. She slid in without comment, and I caught a hint of her scent mixed with freshness that only came from being just out of the shower. It made my hands flex on the door frame. The drive took twenty minutes. Shanice stared out the window the whole time, silent. I didn't push. Sometimes silence was better than empty words.
When we pulled up to her building, a modest complex on the east side, she went very still.
