Page 37 of Daniil
Personally, anything that reminds me of the gynecologist or giving birth is the opposite of a turn-on.Or maybe I’m not as into watching other people getting it on as I thought I was.Probably because it’s been so long since I’ve had any attention.Daniil being around all day doesn’t help.
I can think of many negative qualities about the man—but looks isn’t one of them.Tall and lean, with muscular arms and shoulders.And unless something has changed in the last year, he had that damn abdominal “V” the last time I saw him without a shirt.
“Not your thing, hmm?”The voice whispering in my ear makes me jump and whirl, hand on my chest.
“Jesus!”I snap, glaring at Daniil.“Why did you sneak up on me like that?”
“Sorry.”He takes a step back.“I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I thought you were babysitting?”I demand, a little snippier than I intended.
“Grim and the baby are both asleep.I got bored, so I thought I’d come see what you were doing.”
“Working,” I say gruffly.
“I know.”His eyes darken slightly.“It’s a shame.”
“Well, if you’re going to indulge in club activities, let me know where you plan to be—so I can cover a different area.”
His eyes widen slightly, one corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk.“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.”
I stare into those mesmerizing blue eyes and somehow manage to wrinkle my nose.He’s too gorgeous for his own good—or mine.
I absolutely cannot fall under his spell again.
“In your dreams,” I say haughtily.
Then I turn on my heel and head toward the stairs, sending up a silent prayer that Emilie is done in the restroom.
Chapter15
Daniil
Days turn into a week.Then two.I love spending time with my son, but Courtney keeps me at a physical and emotional distance.She truly wants nothing to do with me, and no amount of titillating conversation, strenuous workouts, or charming her neighbors has done much to endear me to her.At this point, I’m going to have to make a decision.Leaving my son behind feels like the worst option, but I sense that’s what she wants.
Bringing the two of them to Limaj, even for a few weeks, would make my life so much easier but she wants no part of it.
Pretending he isn’t mine isn’t going to work for me, no matter which way we go, but beyond that, it gets…complicated.
I just don’t know how to get past the issues—not with her and not on my own.Mentally, I’m fine.I grew up with these kinds of events and the day my parents were killed was far more traumatic for me.But not for her.I also can’t help but feel some of what she experienced in the Middle East as a marine tainted her view as well.
Limaj is not a Middle Eastern country, despite the contingent of Muslims who live there.We’re Eastern European, a distinction she doesn’t seem to make.To her, all developing countries are the same.I’m oversimplifying her feelings, but that’s how it comes across.That somehow none of us are worthy.
“We’re drowning in work, Dan,” Joe says when we talk on the phone early on a Monday morning after I’ve been gone over three weeks.“Are you coming back at some point?”
“Of course I’m coming back!”I say.“I’m just… there’s a lot going on, Joe.”
“We all understand.It’s the only reason Erik hasn’t jumped on a plane and dragged you back by your ear.However, there’s a lot going on here too, and it’s not just you who’s missing—you’ve got Marcus with you.”
The Royal Protectors are spread thin, even with the addition of Ace, Dax, and Cooper.Axel’s wife Solange is training to take on the cyber security aspect of the job, so Jonas can have more time for actual bodyguard and protection duties, but she’s still in college and currently pregnant with their second child.
I don’t know how this is going to work, but I can’t stay here much longer, especially when Courtney is showing no signs of softening toward me.I’ve tried most of my tricks—the charm, the gifts, the attention.She appreciates it all but keeps me at arms’ length.The only time she shows even a modicum of softness is with the baby.Any other time, she’s tough as nails.Especially with me.
“I’m trying,” I tell Joe.“It’s hard to explain.”
“You found out you have a kid and missed the first five months of his life.You don’t have to explain.You do have to decide what you’re going to do, though, because you have responsibilities.”
Like I don’t know that.
