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Kova grumbled in Russian. "I apologize." He held the towel open and looked away. Without a second thought, I gripped the hem of my sports bra and ripped it
up and over my head, then yanked down my shorts and stepped out, leaving them in a messy wet ball on the floor. Goose bumps trailed across my frigid flesh. I hugged myself and stepped into Kova's outstretched arms.
"Hold me tight, please," I whispered into the warmth of his neck.
Kova wrapped his strong arms around my back and pressed me to the length of his body as I rested my head on his chest. He moaned under his breath and I felt the vibration in his chest. I reveled in the warmth of his body. "I like when you need me like this," he whispered, low and warm, and I felt it. His arms tightened, fingers pressing into me as he stepped closer to close the distance. My teeth continued to chatter, my entire body wouldn’t stop shaking, and I nearly groaned in misery when the air conditioner flicked on above my head. Chilly air floated across my shoulders and I winced, hunching closer to him.
"Shhh…" he said against my head. "It will pass."
"The…air…" My voice was muffled. Kova glanced up and spotted the air vent.
"Let me get you out of here," he said, then scooped me up and cradled me to his chest. He was so broad and wide that if I curled my body tight enough I could fit from shoulder to shoulder. I eyed the pulsing vein in his neck that was glazed in a sheen of perspiration as he carried me out of the bathroom. I snuggled closer to his warmth and sighed in content.
Kova kept his focus straight ahead while he carried me to my room. He flipped the light switch, and in two steps, he was at the side of my bed. With one hand, he pulled back the comforter and carefully deposited me. He brought the comforter to my neck, all while looking at my headboard. Not me.
"Turn off the fan, please," I begged, already missing his body heat. Kova did as I asked then left the room without making any sort of eye contact with me. I frowned as I listened to the water trickling in the next room and realized he was wringing out my sopping wet clothes. I heard some more shuffling that sounded like he was in my living room. I wasn't sure what he was doing. All I knew was that I felt like he was avoiding me.
Note to self: Strip naked in front of Kova if you want him to ignore you.
I shook my head and curled up in a ball on my side. My only concern now was to get warm, not Kova's precious cracking resolve.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Popping my chin up on my hand, I listened for Kova, but it was oddly quiet. I shuddered under the covers and pulled them tighter to me. Maybe he left without telling me, which would be a blessing in disguise, but at the same time I hoped not. God, I was so indecisive. The way we were with each other, both too drawn to each other, it made us equally awkward and stupid.
Expelling a heavy breath, I climbed out of bed and gripped the towel to me. I tiptoed to the living room, questioning how people lived in places cooler than eighty-five degrees. I'd give anything to sit in a sauna right now.
I hated this.
Crouching down with my knees pressed to my chest, I shivered as I tried to unzip my duffle bag with shaking fingers. The towel loosened around me and draped low down my back. Cool air struck my bare skin.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kova’s raucous voice stopped me in my tracks. I didn't need to look over my shoulder to know he was on my couch. He must've been lying down because I hadn't seen him when I walked in. I clutched my cell phone in my shaky hand.
"I got it from here. Th-Thanks for everything, but I-I think you should leave now."
"Get back in bed."
I scowled. Of course he ignored my request.
"Kova, I appreciate everything you-you’ve done, I-I do, but please leave."
"I will not say it again… Get back in bed." The inflection in his tone caused my heart to skip. His deep, rough lilt sent a new wave of goose bumps over my arms. Releasing a quiet sigh of agitation, I told him my plans.
"I'm having Hayden come over. I need him to h-help me right now. You ca-ca-can’t be here when he gets here."
The loud cracking in Kova's knees told me he stood. I risked a glance over my shoulder just in time to catch him scowling at me.
"Like hell you are. Tell me what you need and I will get it. Hot tea? Coffee? Something to eat? Another blanket? What is it that you need?"
You. I needed body heat.
I shook my head and pouted. As if that was possible. I stood, the brisk air wafted across my uncovered flesh. A hard tremor shot down my exposed spine.
"None of those right now."
He threw his hands out in front of him, his brows shot up. "Then what?"
"Just go," I said, scrolling through my phone for Hayden's name. When I found it, I began texting him with jittery fingers. Kova stalked over and ripped my phone from my hands before I could press send.
