As I cross the room back to the closet, he grabs my arm, pulling me to him. My body wants to soften. The smell of him, leather and spice with a hint of crispness from the chill outside reminds me of the safety he brought me in the cabin.
He spins me to face him, cupping my chin in his hand he makes me look up at him. Confusion and irritation mingle in his gaze. Like he’s not sure exactly what to do with me.
A feeling I’m all too familiar with.
“I left you alone too long,” he says.
“No.” I try to pull away, but he tightens his grip. His fingers dig into my cheeks. “Artem, it’s not that.”
“Then what?” He relaxes his hold.
I’m a child. A dramatic teenager at best. This man has gone to great lengths to keep me safe. But not hearing three little words from him has me ready to bolt.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly, gently pulling from his loosened grip. “The guys are all married now, so living with them feels weird. I’ve had my own place before, I just assumed…” I trail off, not wanting to lie but not able to tell him the truth, either.
“Do you want to live alone?” He drops his hands to his sides, searching my face. He reminds me of a lie detector when he looks at me like this. As though the truth will just pop right out of my eyeballs.
But with him, it probably does.
“I’m not sure what I want.” I skim the edge of the truth, testing to see if it holds.
He gives a calculating smile. “Then I’ll just have to help you decide.”
“Artem.” Kaz interrupts just when Artem looks like he’s going to devour me.
“Kaz,” I growl his name.
Artem laughs.
“What’s all this?” He ignores me and steps into the room, taking in the open suitcase on my bed. “What are you doing?”
“She’s packing a few things,” Artem answers, giving me a wink before turning to him. “How did the meeting go?”
A hard expression washes away the concern Kaz had over my suitcase.
“Not as well as we’d hoped. Corruption is expensive.”
“Are you becoming cheap in your old age?” I ask.
“I think she’s becoming more outspoken since you’ve been in charge of her.” Kaz raises his brow at Artem.
“In charge of me?” I add defiance to my tone, but I’m not at all unaware that’s exactly what’s been going on.
And I’m also acutely aware of how hot it makes me to think about how exactly Artem wields his authority. I’m going to need to change my panties if these thoughts keep circling my mind.
“No one is in charge of me.” Artem’s shoulders tighten, but I’m sure it’s from holding in a laugh and not out of irritation.
Kaz rolls his eyes at me. “Of course not.”
“What does that mean?” I take a step forward, ready to battle my brother, but Artem gently wraps his hand around mine and squeezes.
“Don’t kill him yet. He’s still useful,” Artem says playfully.
“I’m not sure I like this combination.” Kaz flicks his finger back and forth between us.
“Did you need something when you came up here?” I question, wanting to get back to being alone with Artem.
Spending those few weeks in the quiet of the woods quieted something inside of me. I crave the peacefulness that was there. Or maybe it’s being alone with Artem I need so much.
