that apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Shaun glanced at the serving table, shrugged and decided to leave the decision of its placement to Dasha. Instead, she went back to Jozef’s apartment where she could have a few minutes alone, making a detour into the kitchen to grab a snack. Munching on a handful of nuts and raisins, she nodded at the man guarding Jozef’s door. He unlocked and opened it for her.
She wasn’t thrilled with the presence of security on the door, but she’d kept her discontent to herself. She wasn’t sure if security had been stationed there before her arrival or if it was special for her. She didn’t particularly care. She’d decided that escaping from the mansion directly would be impossible anyway. She’d have to wait until she was in the city and an opportunity presented itself.
She was surprised to find Jozef standing in their bedroom with his back to her as she entered. She stopped, feeling awkward. Though they slept in the same bed and made wild passionate love to each other, she couldn’t seem to look him in the eye in the light of day without blushing. When he turned to look at her, the awkwardness melted away. It was impossible not to feel wanted when his eyes glowed with sexual tension and possessiveness. His expression took her breath away.
Jozef lifted his hand and crooked a finger at her, telling her to come to him. Shaun hesitated, knowing she should resist the insane lure of their combined chemistry. She was helpless though. Jozef was everything she should despise. He was a criminal, a killer, a kidnapper, and the list could easily go on, but he was also everything she wanted. He was tough, sexy, and intelligent. His desire for her was an aphrodisiac she couldn’t ignore.
Before she could make up her mind, Jozef crossed the room to her, his gaze intent. She watched him, her eyes widening as he reached for her. He dragged her against his chest and kissed her. Not a kiss of greeting, but one of passion, one of possession. He was staking his claim.
It took only seconds before Shaun was lost to the pressure of his lips on hers, the aggressive thrust of his tongue and the sweep of his hands over her back, holding her and feeling her at the same time. She held him, pressing her body against his, inhaling his incredible masculine scent. It sent every thought fleeing from her brain until all she wanted to do was keep her lips pressed to his and spend the day smelling him.
Finally, Jozef broke the kiss, but continued to hold Shaun, pushing her back only far enough to lift his hands between them.
I want to take you out into the city, he signed. Will you come with me?
Was he asking? So far, asking her permission for anything hadn’t been a strong point in their budding relationship.
“Okay,” she said carefully.
He shook his head and grabbed hold of her wrists, holding them aloft and wiggling them. Shaun laughed and nodded her understanding. She signed, what are we going to do in the city?
His deep blue eyes held hers in thrall and she had to force herself to drop her gaze so she could concentrate on his hands. I want us to start over. I want you to get to know me…. He paused, as if thinking about what he wanted to say. Finally, he decided to go with blunt. I want you to forget the Luhansk hospital, forget what I did to you, forget the guns. Get to know me, I think you’ll learn to like me.
That’s what Shaun was afraid of, because it was happening already. The more she got to know Jozef, the more she liked him, and the more she was willing to compromise her values for just a few more hours and days with him. She knew deep down that eventually she would have to extricate herself, go home and pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Sadly, it wasn’t the trauma of her kidnapping and subsequent events that would occupy her thoughts for years to come, it was the loss of Jozef. An enigmatic man, determined to marry his witness, thus saving her life.
Yes, let’s go into the city, she signed. I could use a night away from party planning.
Jozef flashed her a look of simple pleasure. He was pleased that she agreed to his plan without a fight.
Do I need to change? she asked.
He looked