Page 51 of Twisted Prince

“I didn’t mean it.” Why can’t I control my emotions around Mel? It’s like my mouth has taken on a life of its own, saying whatever comes to my head regardless of the consequences.

“Of course you did. I’m not stupid. You like to pretend you’re so different from all the other assholes who want to possess me. But when it comes down to it, you couldn’t wait to judge me for the life I’ve chosen. You say you want to save me, that you want to protect me. But in reality, you just want to own me like every other man I’ve ever known.”

Her words are like a knife to the heart, and I stop, my hand slipping from her wrist.

“You really want to put me in the same category as your father? Your uncle? Mikhail Sidorov?” If that’s how she feels, then I was wrong to have sought her out.

In the blink of an eye, our night together feels sullied, dark, and twisted. Was I just chasing my own pleasure?

I don’t think so. As fiery as Mel’s glare is now, I know her. I know how much she wants me. She wants me in the same undeniable way I want her. She said as much—even if she wants to deny it now.

Why does she keep pushing me away?

“I want you to leave me alone, Gleb,” she says, her voice trembling with emotion as she turns toward the door.

The blow hits hard, slowing my steps as I follow her. “Are you fucking kidding right now, Mel? After everything that just happened, you’re going to walk away?” I demand, grabbing the door from her hand as she swings it open.

Mel turns in the threshold, her face inches from mine as she peers up into my eyes. “Go home, Gleb. Just… go back to New York and leave me in peace,” she breathes.

Then, with a swirl of fabric and the scent of lemon-tinged vanilla, Mel’s gone.

21

MEL

I keep my eyes focused on the neon sign guiding me to the stairwell. I don’t trust myself to wait for the elevator because leaving Gleb is far harder than I imagined possible. My muscles vibrating with tension, I brace for him to follow. To grab my wrist and refuse to let me go.

But he doesn’t.

His door clicks softly closed behind me.

And I don’t dare look back.

Wrenching the door open, I race down the stairs, fighting back the tears that threaten to consume me. The loss that could overwhelm me if I let it. Because I feel a powerful draw to Gleb, and I’m dangerously close to losing myself to him again.

But I can’t trust him. I have a healthy distrust of men in general, and for a very good reason. So, regardless of my feelings, I need to follow my instincts. Because I don’t want to find out how painful the betrayal will be when it turns out he’s just as controlling and willing to use me as the rest of them.

Heart lodged thoroughly in my throat, I clutch my back to my chest as I step out into the crisp night air and turn toward home. Gabby’s waiting for me there. And I desperately need to hold her.

As I stride purposefully down the street, vivid memories of my heated encounter flash through my mind. Gleb’s searing green gaze, the warmth of his soft lips seeping into mine. The pain of having him fill me so completely that I might split in two. And the throbbing pleasure when he fucked me so tenderly after.

The residual of our time together slicks my inner thighs, reminding me of climactic euphoria, the mind-blowing bliss of feeling him come inside me. My spine tingles, knowing he craves me as fiercely as I do him. And at the same time, it terrifies me. Which is why I ran.

I didn’t bother putting on my bra or panties before I left. I was too frantic to get out of there. Because I knew if I stayed, he would press me for why I don’t want to leave Boston. And he’s so impossibly perceptive, I knew I couldn’t keep the truth from him for long.

But I couldn’t tell him about Gabby. I have no idea how he might react to me having his child, and I don’t want to risk telling him when Gleb can be so domineering. No doubt he would be furious that I’ve kept it from him all this time.

What if he chose to take Gabby from me because of it? Or, possibly worse, what if he stopped wanting me because of her? The thought that anyone might not want my daughter is more than I can bear. But children are a massive responsibility, and as my father proved to me, not everyone wants to be a parent.

I can’t risk it.

I can’t risk Gabby’s happiness.

And I refuse to give up my freedom—even for love.

Shaky hands fumbling with my keys, I unlock the front door of the women’s home and let myself inside as quietly as I can. Then I turn the bolt to lock the door behind me.

“I was starting to worry,” Kieri says softly from behind me, making me nearly jump out of my skin.

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