Page 42 of Born into Chaos

“I’ll be sure and repeat those same words to your dad if he decides to drive out here to check on us.”

I laugh, imagining the look on my dad’s face if Vitya ever told him that, and because I can’t resist teasing him, I say, “I do sleep naked, but I promise I’ll stay on my side of the bed.”

His eyes widen as he looks over at me. “Tell me you’re joking.”

I shrug and start hanging up clothes, making sure to keep the pajamas I packed hidden from view. “I get hot while I sleep.”

“Sveta, you can’t sleep naked.” The pleading tone to his voice has me smiling even bigger.

“Why not?”

“Are you seriously asking me that?”

“Yeah, I am.” I step out of the closet just enough to lean my hip against the doorway. “Tell me the truth, Vitya. Is your reaction because it’s your job to watch over me and you feel nothing else for me other than a responsibility, a duty, or is it because you don’t trust yourself to keep your hands off me?”

He shakes his head and starts to walk away. “We arenothaving this conversation.”

I let him leave, unable to hide the huge smile on my face. He didn’t answer the question. If he felt absolutely nothing for me, then he would’ve just said that and stormed out of the room, but he didn’t. He refused to answer and got his ass out of here. That has to mean something.

Grabbing my phone, I pull up the group chat I have with Natalya, Lara, and Yelena.

Me:

Kind of a long story, but I’m at the farmhouse with Vitya for a few days.

Natalya:

What? As in you two are alone?

Yelena:

When did this happen? Val didn’t say anything about a farmhouse trip.

Lara:

Have you 2 had sex yet?

I laugh at Lara’s comment as I type out a reply.

Me:

No, unfortunately. It was kind of a last minute decision. I promise I’ll explain it all later, but please no one come visit out here. I need time to work my magic. My surly bodyguard is still being surly, but I think he’s slowly falling for my massive amounts of charm. I basically just asked him if he felt anything for me, and he refused to answer and left the room. That’s a good sign, right?

Natalya:

Usually I’d say a guy running off is a bad sign, but in this case, he might as well have just declared his love for you.

Lara:

The man is smitten.

Yelena:

I hear the wedding bells already. I’ll try and keep your brother away, or at least give you a heads-up if he starts heading your way.

Natalya:

Go get ‘em, tiger, and then give us all the details!