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“Well, I love your style.”
“Thanks. I like to think I have good taste.” I look her up and down meaningfully and am rewarded by a humble blush.
Selecting a red wine from the wire rack, I collect the corkscrew from its drawer and open the bottle before taking two stemmed glasses from a crystal-windowed cabinet. Bringing it all back to the island, I settle onto a stool beside Heidi before pouring us each a generous portion of Zinfandel.
“Thanks,” Heidi murmurs and lightly taps her glass against my proffered one before she takes a sip.
“Now that you’ve agreed to spending time with me, I think it’s best we discuss our deal,” I state, falling into my more businesslike tone so she knows I’m serious.
“Okay?” Setting her drink on the black granite countertop, Heidi gives me her undivided, curious attention.
“I have a room for you, a nice one where I will expect you to spend the night for as long as we’re sleeping together. And I’ll assign a security detail that will be by your side whenever you wish to leave. You’ll be free to come and go as you please. It’s just a precaution to ensure your safety for as long as we continue this agreement.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, big spender,” Heidi says, her expression shifting to unsettled as she leans back, her hands flying up in defense. “That is way more of a commitment than I was anticipating.”
I frown, confused by what could possibly be so serious about it when she’s already confirmed she’s unattached and willing to sleep with me. If she likes my apartment as much as she indicated, I would think it might even be a fun change of scenery.
“Look, late-night booty calls I can work with. But I’mnotmoving into your penthouse, and I’m definitely not taking a couple of bodyguards everywhere I go. I’m an interior designer, Maks. Hauling a bunch of muscle in and out of my clients’ homes would beterriblefor business...” Her lips part as if she’s about to pile on to her list of objections, but then her mouth snaps closed as if she feels she’s said too much.
Well, that explains why she was admiring my penthouse furnishings.
And I can see her point about not wanting bodyguards. But these are the parameters I’ve put in place to protect any of the women I sleep with. As long as this war continues with Aleksandr Volkov, I can’t just let Heidi run around San Francisco unchecked without thinking she might face serious consequences for being connected to me. Aleksandr has proven more than capable of violence against the women who matter to me and my brothers.
Frustration tightens my chest at her sudden hard-headedness. First, she won’t accept my money. Now, she won’t accept my protection. “It’s starting to seem like you’re unwilling to do any part of the agreement I’ve offered, though this is for your own good.”
“That’s not true. I’m perfectly fine with having sex without attachment. But if you don’t want to be flexible and work with me, then I’m sure I’ll manage on my own. I’ve gone this long without sex. I imagine I can go back to the way it was before you walked into my life again.”
The most infuriating part about her statement is that she sounds like she means it. And the less she’s willing to bend to my rules, the more desperately I want her. Releasing an exasperated sigh, I set my wine glass roughly on the counter to comb my fingers through my hair.
Then I work on a new plan that might keep her safe even if she won’t stay here.
Heidi sips her wine silently, seeming perfectly at ease to let me war internally while she waits. The hint of a smile twitches at one corner of her mouth, and I’m tempted to steal her amusement with a kiss.
Instead, I force myself to focus on the resources I could use to find the compromise she’s demanding.
“Alright,” I grumble after several moments of intense quiet. “What if I send a driver and men to pick you up and drop you off at your house? You’ll have to be discreet so people don’t see you coming and going from my place. That means late nights and careful transport. But if my enemies can’t connect you to me, you’ll likely be safe enough.”
Heidi eyes me as if considering my new offer, and I tense as she seems on the verge of shooting this one down as well. It’s risky enough, and I refuse to be more lenient. I won’t let her risk her life needlessly.
“I can’t guarantee your protection if you won’t work with me, Heidi.”
She hesitates a moment longer, trapping her full lower lip between her teeth. The suspense is agonizing, and I know my need to be with her has already reached an unhealthy level. I need to keep myself in better check if I’m going to remain unattached.
Maybe it’s because she’s someone from back when Symphony’s death was so raw and new, or maybe my attraction to her is just different, stronger than normal, but Heidi’s hold on me is unlike anything I’ve felt since before my fiancée died.
“Okay,” she finally agrees. “We can try it.”
15
HEIDI
“Do I need to sign some paperwork, maybe give my fingerprint in blood or something, to make our agreement official?” I tease, poking fun at Maks for getting so frustrated with me about not following his rules.
But in truth, his original offer had me on the verge of panic, mostly because of Sarah. I couldn’t possibly leave her for weeks at a time, and I’m unwilling to bring her into the equation when this is temporary, meaningless sex. So I’m grateful that he would be willing to find another solution.
My playful jab seems to have served its purpose to cover my momentary nerves, however, as Maks’s gaze turns fiery, making my stomach tremble.
“I think we can make the amendment binding with another kiss,” he jokes back, though the way he combs his fingers into my hair is anything but funny.
