Page 23 of Twisted Prince

Gleb’s soft lips find mine, brushing gently over them as I ride the aftershocks of my release. Euphoria tingles in the tips of my fingers and toes, raising goosebumps on my arms, and my eyes flutter open as he pulls back just far enough to look at me.

“Are you okay?” he murmurs, his arm easing out from under me so he can brush the hair from my face.

I nod, a smile curling my lips as my mind lingers in heavenly bliss. “More than.”

That low, soft chuckle rumbles from his chest, waking butterflies in my stomach.

Slowly, Gleb eases out of me, leaving behind an aching emptiness.

“I should have used protection, but I didn’t exactly come prepared…” Guilt flickers in his eyes. “We can pick something up for you tomorrow, when we get back to the City.”

I nod. I hadn’t actually thought about that, and warmth radiates in my cheeks as I realize my level of sex education is probably strangely out of balance.

But my embarrassment doesn’t last long as Gleb invites me beneath his covers. Heart fluttering, I snuggle against his side and rest my cheek on his shoulder. Silence settles over us like a warm blanket. I’ve been dreaming of what it would be like to sleep with Gleb for longer than I care to admit, and now that I’m here, it feels like this is exactly where I belong. Like we’ve been sharing the same bed for years.

When I’m with Gleb, it’s so easy to forget about the real world. He makes me feel safe and strangely comfortable. So, when my eyelids sink closed, I fall into a deep, peaceful sleep that’s devoid of the ghosts that usually haunt my dreams.

* * *

“You have two options, Mel,” Gleb states, his tone calm and authoritative, though I detect a hint of frustration in his eyes. “Either stay put and accept the extra protection here, or move back in with Pyotr and Silvia. But you are not leaving one of those two locations until I’m confident Mikhail won’t target you again.”

Leaning against the mint-green cabinets of our outdated kitchen, I cross my arms as I stare Gleb down. The other girls seemed perfectly fine with his new plan. They’ve already wandered out of the kitchen to go do other things with their time, but I sure as hell am not just going to sit around this hole in the wall until I’m given permission to leave.

For some reason, I imagined life would go back to normal when we got home. That perhaps Gleb and I might start exploring the intimacy we experienced last night. Discovering I could enjoy sex despite my past left me feeling invigorated, empowered even.

I thought we might have a chance to establish a more meaningful relationship because Gleb was so attentive to my needs. So attuned to my desires. But after an early morning and a hectic plane ride home, I feel as though we’re on entirely different pages. Maybe even different planets.

“Gleb, I can’t just sit around the house all day. We have rent to pay!” I fling my hands in the air, letting them come down noisily as I slap my thighs.

“I’ll cover your rent until the situation is resolved,” he states flatly, his tone brooking no argument.

“What about my modeling gig? I can’t just blow that off. I might never get an opportunity like that again,” I insist.

“I can’t spare the men, Mel. We lost too many. I’m putting my best men with you to ensure nothing happens again. And I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to split them up so you can chase your dreams. Besides, think about the danger you’d be putting the girls in by broadcasting your image across magazines right now.”

His steady delivery doesn’t make the fact that they lost so many men any less painful to me. But the implication that my desire to pursue a career is selfishly endangering the girls I live with puts me immediately on the defensive.

“So, what? I’m just supposed to sit around and accept this new prison, where I wait for other men to tell me where I can go or what I can do? If I can ever even leave my house again? Dress it up all you want, Gleb, but that’s just a different kind of cage,” I snap.

I can see the tension in his stillness because I’ve spent so many hours watching him. Only his eyes show the true intensity of the hurt and anger my words trigger in him. “I’m sorry you feel that way. But this is not up for discussion.”

“Well, what if I don’t want your protection?” I press.

My stomach somersaults at the thought of striking out on my own, of opening myself up to that level of vulnerability. But the suffocating idea of being trapped inside this house for days or even weeks at a time gives me an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia.

Closing the distance between us, Gleb plants his palms on the counter on either side of me. The air catches in my lungs as his sudden proximity sends my heart into a frenzy. And though I’m furious right now, his intoxicating, masculine scent makes it nearly impossible to focus.

Why am I so insanely attracted to him?

I hate it because just the thought of him kissing me shakes my resolve.

But more than anything, I want to be free.

And I hate that the men in my life always seem so eager to take that away from me.

I thought Gleb was different, and it terrifies me to realize he might be the most dangerous of all. Because with him, I could almost hand over my liberty willingly. Almost.

“You don’t get a choice, Mel. Not this time,” he says flatly, his smooth, soft voice sending an icy shiver down my spine.

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