- Alina - 

I tossed and turned. Every fucking thing smelt like him. 

Probably a bad idea to be wearing his loose dress shirt. But clearly, I didn't have anything else to wear other than the damp bathrobe.  

Besides, he placed his shirt on my bed when I was in the shower and I didn't want to ask him if he had anything else.  

We needed distance. 

I couldn't, for the life of me get together with someone that would bring danger to me. I couldn't save my mother but I did protect my father. 

Eventually, it was health that took him and not the abrupt attack of the mafia. 

Only, I had nothing else to protect. 

Wilson was a gangster before he became my butler, then he took up training to become my family's bodyguard. He could take care of his own pretty well. 

What did that leave me? 

Kieran? 

I'm sure he can defend his own honour. 

I'm not sure I can defend my own. 

His eyes alone could disarm me and his scent made me restless. 

I sighed and got up, this wouldn't do. 

I hope Kieran kept a good bottle of wine somewhere. 

I crept out of my room and into the open-planned kitchen. I found the wine cooler next to the fridge. 

I chose a bottle and searched the cabinets for a wine glass. It was on the very top shelf. I reached up on my tiptoes to retrieve it. 

"Can't sleep?" 

I jumped from fright and knocked a glass over, feeling his body behind me. He stood over me, his hand reaching up to stop the collapse of his precarious glass collection. 

He pulled out two glasses swiftly and closed the cabinet, pulling the cork of the wine bottle open. 

"For a moment I thought I had a burglar in the apartment. But then a burglar wouldn't make half as much noise as you," he joked monotonously and handed me a glass of his wine. 

After staring at it for a good few seconds, I took it from him, "Did I wake you?" 

He smirked, his dimple making a short appearance, "Nah, I couldn't sleep knowing that a woman is in my house, in my clothes, in my guest room and not in my bed." 

Somehow, I managed to smile, "Charming." 

I took a good swig of the wine, enjoying the flavours. He stood two feet away, watching me like I was an exhibit at a fine art museum. 

"I'm not sleeping with you Kieran," the words flew out of my mouth. I wasn't sure if it was for whose benefit at the moment. 

I probably needed to hear it out loud. 

He chuckled lowly and nodded, his dimples deepening, "I know darling." 

My heart melted a little more, "You accompanied me home after the funeral." 

"I did." 

"Wilson asked if you were staying." 

"I couldn't." 

"I know that now." 

He raised a brow, "Why did you think I didn't stay?" 

He took a step closer and my heart pounded fast. I took a sip of the wine, "I'm not good company." 

He tilted his head cutely, "What do you mean?" 

My breath got caught in my throat, "I'm sad and depressed most of the time, no one wants to be around someone like that." 

He reached out and brushed my hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear, "I wanted to be there for you and I was for a short while. I told your father I would try, but after finding out about your mother, I couldn't bring myself to stay with you." 

I nodded and for once tonight, I enjoyed his warmth.  

"How did you know where I was earlier?"  

He shrugged, "Scott was tracking Connor. When he saw you there, he called me immediately." 

His fingers left a scorching trail across my skin, his body heat was enough to make a bowl of chocolate melt. 

Then he pulled away and finished the rest of his wine, "Goodnight Alina." 

He turned to leave but my arm instinctively reached out for him. I caught his arm and he spun back around to meet my gaze. 

If looks could kill, I'll let him. 

He took my hand from his bicep and brought it to his lips, kissing each knuckle tenderly. 

My knees wobbled and he took the wine glass out of my hand to place it on the table. He gazed down at me, his body pressing me against the granite countertop, my hand to his lips. 

My mind battled with my heart, it was coming to a stalemate and my body seemed to want to take over. 

His finger brushed across my cheek, my lips, "I'm a dangerous man Alina. The people I mix with even more so. I won't risk your life just so I can be with you." 

I stared up at him, wondering why he was explaining himself to me.  

"Why?" 

His lips made contact with my forehead and my body tingled in response, "I don't love people darling, but after Scott's deduction, I think I have a tiny bit of it still lingering somewhere in here." 

He placed my hand over his heart and I took in a much needed breath, his masculine scent invading my lungs. 

Love? 

We couldn't. I couldn't. 

My heart burned, wanting to be loved by this man and knowing the love I had for him was reciprocated. 

Could we do it? Could I? 

"I-" 

He sealed my worries with his lips, gentle yet powerful. His hands held me firmly to him, his lips were both soft yet hard as he kissed me tenderly. 

Nothing rushed, nothing forced, just the feel of his lips on mine and the sweet taste of his love. 

The metal bands around my chest ached and the burning behind my eyes ignited. 

The intimacy of his kiss literally brought tears to my eyes. 

He slid a hand up to my neck and held me gently, rendering me motionless. It was ridiculous, how he said he only had a tiny bit of love when I felt it in waves. 

He pulled away slightly and gazed into my eyes, “I’m here for you Alina.” 

Like a valve that got switched on, tears spilt out of me. The walls I’d built up for myself to be strong instantly came crumbling down. 

The loss of my father and the hurt Connor caused me rushed forward like a tidal wave and I sobbed relentlessly. Kieran held me against him, letting me drain and pour myself out all the while being strong for me. 

It was my moment of weakness and vulnerability but he took it in his stride, being my pillar of support. 

How could I not love him? 

I twirled her hair between my fingers, the sunlight reflecting off her dark gold strands. She slept silently in my embrace, her arms holding me tightly to her. 

The clock on the bedside table read eleven in the morning but I didn’t want to wake her. After she dozed off last night, I called Wilson to explain what happened at the pool and according to him, she hasn’t been sleeping well. 

She sleep talks about her father all the time and wakes every so often with nightmares. She doesn’t remember her episodes in the morning, but he was always there to coax her back to sleep. 

Now though, with her here in my arms, she slept quietly, peacefully. Like an angel. 

Where do we go from here? 

How can the two of us exist together when we were separated by our values? 

Who knew love would be the least of our problems? 

She stirred and I watched as her puffy eyes fluttered open. 

Good Lord she is beautiful. 

My heart stretched as it filled up with a little more love for her, “Good morning darling.” 

“Morning,” she sighed contently and I smiled. 

Gone was last night's emotional Alina, the happy her was back. 

I kissed her temple and she shivered, making me recall the way Connor kissed her last night. 

I gritted my teeth and she looked up at me, as if sensing the sudden tension. I'll check with Scott on what he did with Connor. 

I got up, "Had a good sleep?" 

She nodded, "You?"  

I slipped out of bed, it was almost too overwhelming to be in the same bed and not make love to her. It was fine when she slept, I could get through the night. But now with her wide awake, it was hard to keep Kieran junior down. 

"I slept fine. Do you want me to order breakfast or would you like to have it at the cafe downstairs?" I distanced myself and she gave me a look. 

A darn sexy look. 

I took in her whole just-woke-up vibe. My shirt wrapped her gorgeous body with the top few buttons undone, giving me a sneak preview of her luscious breasts. 

Her hair was in a natural wavy mess past her shoulders and her silver gaze scrutinised me like I was her next prey. 

Kieran junior was getting uncomfortable being restrained in the pair of joggers I was wearing.  

Alina giggled lightly and shooed me out of the room, "We'll have breakfast downstairs after your cold shower honey." 

She shut the door behind me and I stared blankly at the expanse of my corridor, her words sinking into my mind slowly like the Titanic. 

She fucking knew how affected I was by her. 

I chuckled at the mere ridiculousness of the situation. 

Oh man, she's going to regret playing this game with me. 

He's up to something. 

I'm not sure what but I don't like it at all. 

A navy blue dress with a gold belt was laid out neatly on my bed when I came out of the shower. 

Kieran on the other hand, wore a nicely fitted black dress shirt with a pair of black slacks. You could almost see the ridges of muscle through the fabric. 

It made me all hot and bothered. I was desperate to run my hands over his chest. 

“Ready to go?” He smiled his jaw-dropping smile and opened the front door of his apartment for me to walk ahead. 

It took a moment for me to collect myself, my knees literally went weak at the sight of him. I cleared my throat and strode out the door towards the elevators, feeling the heat of his gaze searing into my back. 

Good Lord I’m melting in his presence. 

We entered the elevator, with Kieran keeping a good distance away from me. It frustrated me to no end. 

I could almost feel the sparks in the air from the sexual tension. Light a match and we’ll combust into flames. 

What game was he playing here? 

He led me to the café in the lobby of his apartment, this time walking so close behind me but not touching. I breathed in an annoyed breath, inhaling the scent of his aftershave. A mix of sandalwood, lavender and witch hazel. 

It should be a crime to smell this good. 

He got us a small table, it was romantic enough that we could hold hands and whisper in one another’s ears but he kept his distance. Shifting his knee away from mine under the table, leaning on the table but not as close as I would like and giving more attention to his food than to me. 

I squeezed my hands together, resisting the urge to run my fingers through his hair.  

I ate a mouthful of scrambled eggs and Kieran chuckled, reaching over to wipe the side of my mouth. 

My skin burned. 

I should have melted into my seat at this point. 

"Are you okay Alina?" 

I realised I was staring and he gave me a cheeky smirk. 

What was his deal? 

We finished our meal and Kieran drove me home like he promised Wilson he would. 

The silence of the car was piercing other than the low rumble of the engine. 

I glanced over at him, admiring the way his pants wrapped his thighs and muscles so nicely. 

I gulped. 

He pulled up in front of my mansion and got out of the car, coming over to my side to help me out like the torturous gentleman that he was. 

He closed my door and caged me against the body of my car with his arms on either side of me. 

Before I had the chance to react, his lips were on mine, full of passion and love. My fingers ran through his hair while his hands trailed up my back and held me against him, my skin tingling at his touch. 

I was pretty sure I was out of breath, but it didn't stop me from tasting and relishing him. 

Someone cleared his throat and Kieran stopped his insane kisses, pulling away slightly to see Wilson standing close by. 

The fucker chuckled, "Good afternoon Wilson." 

My butler gave him a slight nod before turning to me, "Did you have a good rest Miss Simmons? I heard about what happened last night." 

I breathed deeply, trying to get my wits about me. I released my grip on Kieran's hair and smoothed my clothes down, "I rested well, I'm fine really. Kieran was with me." 

Wilson looked at Kieran for a second before turning back to me, "Do you need anything? I can get the maids to set your bath." 

I smiled, "That'll be nice, thank you." 

Wilson gave Kieran a nod and strode back into the house. 

The purr of another car made Kieran step back from me. Richard, Kieran's chauffeur, drove in Kieran's signature black Mercedes Benz. 

Kieran gave me his playful smirk and leaned in to kiss my cheek, but not before whispering, "That breakfast was for the cold shower this morning." 

He winked at me and hopped into his car, Richard speeding off. 

I stared blankly for a moment and then it sank in. 

"The bastard."