She’d just turned off the water and stepped out of the shower when she heard something. It sounded like a door closing. Her front door.
Instinct kicked in. Even though she was in the bathroom with nothing but a robe she could throw on and no firearm, her mind was already coming up with self-defense ideas. There were scissors in the drawer of the vanity. Kalina pulled it open and clasped them in her hand. Reaching for her robe on the back of the door she hurriedly pushed her arms into the sleeves and belted it at her waist. She was reaching for the doorknob when she heard another thump. Whoever was bold enough to break into her apartment early on a Saturday afternoon had better be bold enough to face her. She needed to get into the living room, or her bedroom, because she had a gun in both spots. But for now, the scissors would have to do.
Kalina had been attempting to pull the door open slowly when it was suddenly pushed in. She stumbled backward but quickly righted herself, raising her arm with the scissors in hand ready to strike.
The movement was like a blur of black it was so fast. She didn’t see a face or register if it was man or woman; her wrist was caught in the tight grip of a hand as she was pushed up against the wall with a sickening thump that knocked most of the wind out of her.
She blinked, trying to inhale and exhale, her fingers still curled tightly around the handle of the scissors.
“What? Roman?” she said when she looked up into his dark eyes and furrowed brow.
He sighed, loosened his grip, then reached for the scissors. “Hello, Kalina.”
She yanked her arm back, keeping the scissors in hand. “Hello? Is that all you have to say after you bust through my bathroom door and manhandle me?”
“I didn’t manhandle you,” he said in a tone that astonished her.
He was talking as casually as if it were okay to be here right now. As if she’d invited him in.
“How did you get into my apartment?”
“I opened the door and came in.”
“With what key?”
“Why don’t you have a security system? A young woman living alone should protect herself better. You need an alarm system. Or a more secure building.”
He was walking out of the bathroom now, having the audacity to look pissed off. Well, pissed off and exceptionally handsome in his jeans and fitted black T-shirt. As angry as she was becoming at his intrusion, she hadn’t missed the chance to check him out one more time. The air sizzled with sexual dominance; when she gulped and swallowed, Kalina could taste it.
Rome exuded it. Just being in this room pressed up against his body for those brief moments had her center pulsating, her nipples hard.
Her wet feet slapped against the hardwood floors as she followed him out into the living room where he was toying with the door. “What are you doing?”
“This is a cheap-ass lock. I barely fiddled with it and it opened. You do realize you could be killed in your sleep for all the protection this provides?”
“I could also walk out the door and be gunned down or get on the subway and sit right next to a suicide bomber. Whatever is meant to happen will happen,” she snapped.
His head jerked and he looked at her, a muscle in his jaw twitching. “You will protect yourself. That’s not negotiable.”
“And just who the hell do you think you are?” The macho I’m-king-of-the-forest thing was way over the top, even for an arrogant rich lawyer such as Rome. “I could call the cops on you for breaking and entering.”
He stood and pushed the door until it clicked shut, the corner of his mouth lifting in a half smile. “Now, that would be ironic since I could make the same claim against you.”
Oh yeah, she’d almost forgotten about that.
“What are you doing here, Rome?” she asked, deciding it was best to stay away from threatening him with the authorities—even if she was the authority here.
“I came to check on you.”
“Do you check on all your employees like this over the weekend? Besides, I don’t need to be checked on.”
“All my employees don’t incite the attention of unsavory characters at a party.”
“You don’t know that,” she snipped and folded her arms over her chest. His gaze was roaming over her, touching the tips of her hair, coaxing a heated path down to her still-wet toes.
“Get dressed. I want to show you something.”
She stared at him.
“You’re not moving,” he said, tightly pulling his cell phone from the holster on his hip.
“You didn’t say ‘Simon Says.’” This back-and-forth was interesting, probably proving that she was as stubborn as he was. She wondered if that surprised him. If he’d thought it would be simple to break into her apartment and order her around, after he’d made her come. She couldn’t leave that part out.
“Kalina, I’m serious.”
“So am I. You cannot just come in here and order me around. You may rule the office with your brooding looks and serious tone, but this is my place. You’re on my territory now.”
“I don’t want to fight with you,” he said slowly. “I’m just trying to protect you.”
“Why?” she questioned. “Why are you so hell-bent on being in my life? I didn’t ask for your protection and I probably don’t even need it. But you’re still here. You’re always here.” She said the last quietly because it was true. Even when he wasn’t physically in her presence, he was still there, inside.
She hated that realization, felt it gave her a weakness, one she didn’t want to claim.
“I don’t know,” he answered, and she felt the honesty of that response ripple right through her. “I’ve always felt the need to protect. It’s just a part of who I am.”
Staring at him, she wondered, “And who exactly are you?” The question sounded strange but she really wanted an answer. “I know you’re a successful attorney and that you’ve very active on the social scene around town. But I’m curious as to the real Roman Reynolds, the man behind the facade.”
He rubbed a hand over his chin. “Don’t believe everything you read,” he replied.
“Then why don’t you tell me. Tell me about you, about who you are and what you want.”
“I want you,” he said instantly. “I want you safe and I want to be inside you. I can’t stop thinking of you, of touching you, tasting you. I want you.” He took a step closer. “How does it feel to hear me say that, Kalina? How does your body react to those words?”
It felt different, that was for damn sure. She’d been attracted to him in his office and again in the confines of the truck last night. But right here, standing in the middle of her living room, with her naked body air-drying beneath the thin material of her robe and his words rippling through the air, the feelings spiraling through her were different. It was definitely sexual, these new sensations, there was no doubt about that.
Her nipples had started to ache as they scraped against the silk material. Her skin felt sensitive, as if every particle of air touching her was bringing something alive inside.
“I’m not intimidated by your candor, if that’s what you were aiming for,” she said with only about half of that statement being true. “You’re on my territory now, Rome.”
“And what are the rules when I’m on your territory?” He folded one arm over his muscled chest, lifting the other to tap his cell phone on his chin. His legs were slightly spread and her gaze couldn’t help but fall on the bulge between them.
He was aroused, highly. And apparently he wasn’t ashamed. Hell, with the heated look he was giving her at this moment she half expected him to pull his dick out for her again. Her mouth watered at the thought.
“Rule number one, don’t tell me what to do. You can ask and wait for my answer,” she said in a voice that sounded strong, confident. Two things she’d always assumed she was.