Chapter Six

SIX

Andrii debated whether to allow Azelie to get away with the change in subject. It wasn't in his best interest—or Azelie's—for Billows to find out they were dating. He didn't want more attention on Azelie from Billows. The man was a psychopath, and he was deeply involved in human trafficking. If the information Torpedo Ink had worked so hard to acquire was correct, Billows trained women and teens as sex slaves before they were put up for auction. He didn't like the thought of Azelie anywhere near the man.

Azelie was a gorgeous woman, whether she wanted to think so or not. She wore baggy clothes to hide her curves, but she had them. Any man who looked at her—and they would look—would be able to guess what was under her sweaters and hoodies. Her jeans clung to her body lovingly, and all that was without mentioning her face. She had beautiful skin that glowed and was rose-petal soft. Her eyes were large, vividly blue, and heavily lashed. Then she had all that wild hair.

Billows trafficked women. He would be able to assess Azelie's worth easily. The fact that she was a pleaser would go a long way to adding to her value. The man needed her for her skills in manipulating his books, but if he felt threatened, he would turn on her in an instant. In some ways, being with Andrii would be a protection for her. Men like Billows recognized immediately when there was a threat. At the same time, Billows might feel he was losing control of Azelie. Bookkeepers could be replaced.

"You aren't returning the dress and shoes to me, are you?" Azelie asked.

Her finger crept up to her bare ear. She didn't wear jewelry as a rule. She didn't even have studs in, although her ears were pierced. Andrii loved the little shells of her ears.

"Yes." He poured firmness into his voice, all the while keeping his tone low. He moved around her to pull the tie from the box and lift the lid. "I don't want you to give back any gift I give you, Zelie. It's a little hurtful, although I appreciate that you don't want to use me for my money."

She bit down on her lower lip as she took a step back. "Do you have money?"

"Yes."

"You said you were a contractor and that you played in a band," she protested. One hand went defensively to her throat, and she gave a little shake of her head. "And that you did security."

Andrii could see that the idea he had money really bothered her. She wasn't after him to see what she could get from him. That felt good. He'd known she wasn't all about money, but it was good to have it reaffirmed, to know his instincts were working.

"I am a contractor, and I do play in a band. I also work in security," he crooked his finger at her as he sank back down into the chair he'd occupied. "Come on, baby, there's nothing in here that's going to bite you."

She didn't move even though he'd used a compelling voice, the exact tone she was so susceptible to. Andrii was a little shocked at the genuine amusement welling up in him. As a rule, he didn't experience intense emotions. If he had them, they were usually negative rather than positive. He realized, almost from the moment he began studying Azelie's character to get close to her, he felt things much more deeply. He also found himself genuinely happy, as if by discovering a woman like her existed, there was hope for him after all.

"I don't want you to buy me gifts, Andrii." Azelie took another step back.

The room was tiny. The entire studio apartment could fit into the closet in the master bedroom of his house—and his house wasn't nearly as large as some of the other homes Torpedo Ink members had purchased. All he'd cared about was privacy and room for his piano and other musical instruments.

"If you keep backing up, you're going to hit the wall. Then I'm going to come to you, and you'll be scared all over again. What's the point?"

"You don't have to come to me."

Her voice was a little whisper, a thread of sound. Her eyes had gone wide and her face pale. She really needed to stop stroking her throat with trembling fingers or he was going to pick her up and carry her to the bed he'd been all too aware of. Or just take her right there against the wall. He didn't want to do either of those things.

Azelie deserved a courtship, getting to know him, becoming comfortable with his demands and way of life. She needed to believe that he would take care of her, do whatever it took to make her happy. To do that, to build the trust needed in their relationship, especially when she'd experienced trauma and betrayal at the hands of someone she loved, he had to take his time with her, not just jump into a demanding sexual relationship.

It was clear to him that she was very wary. He wasn't about to lose her through stupidity by going too fast. Pushing her too hard. He wanted a lasting relationship. He didn't know how any woman could have a relationship with him, but he was going to do his best to try to make it work.

"I would have to come to you. Haven't you figured out yet that I can't resist you?"

"I don't think you're seeing the real me, Andrii. I worry about that."

"You're rather adorable when you're stalling. Come over here and we'll talk about this, but I want to show you the things I chose for you. And no more protests. I enjoy choosing dresses and shoes for you. I know where I'm planning on taking you, and it was fun to envision what you would wear."

Andrii poured sincerity into his voice. He was telling her the truth. He had enjoyed shopping for her. Planning dates. Thanks to Code and three weeks of shadowing her, he was aware of her schedule. The only person who could throw a monkey wrench into his plans was Alan Billows scheduling unexpected meetings at the times Andrii had chosen to take her out.

"Come on, Solnyshkuh . Come here to me."

He kept his gaze steady on hers and saw that first moment of capitulation—that sweet surrender to his command, even though she was still wary. Still scared. She thought she wasn't brave, but it took tremendous courage to choose building a relationship after what she'd suffered.

She'd been knocked down hard and yet she was taking a chance with him. She was leery and trying to talk them both out of it, but even with her reluctance and probably every warning bell she had shrieking at her, she came to him. She chose him. She was getting to his heart, and they hadn't even started. The idea was terrifying yet exhilarating.

Azelie crossed the short distance and stood in front of him, her large blue eyes fixed on his as if at any moment he might bite her. He had a dark desire to do just that. Put his mark on her any way he could, brand his mark into her bones so she would know she belonged to him and never want to leave. He was shocked at the strength of his want—no, need.

Andrii wasn't a man to trust feelings, especially ones so intense, yet the longer he spent in her company, or watching her—even the surveillance films of her—the more it felt right and necessary to be with her. He knew it was crucial to gain her complete trust, and it had nothing to do with his assignment. She was his one chance at redemption—at happiness. He knew better than to trust her, but despite his knowledge of women, his mind was already made up.

"Don't look so leery, baby," he advised softly. "Come see if you like the clothing I chose for you. If you don't, I want you to tell me I got it wrong."

He lifted a pair of blue jeans out of the box. One pair appeared vintage, a faded blue. He knew they would fit her body like a glove and should be very comfortable because he'd made certain they weren't going to be skintight on her. They would show off her shape without making her uncomfortable. That was important to him. He put the denim aside.

"There are two pairs. One is black." He placed that pair of jeans on top of the other one and pulled out a soft blouse. The material stopped just short of being transparent. If she wore a black bra, which he'd included, beneath the light crimson, it would be sexy as hell. There was a black sweater to pair with either of the jeans, which went beautifully with the crimson blouse. There was also an equally soft off-the-shoulder sweater in a dark ash blue. It would also go with either pair of jeans. He could tell by her expression that she'd expected sexy cocktail dresses. That would be coming, but not yet.

"What do you think?"

She touched a sweater. "Beautiful." She breathed the word in a whisper. "Andrii, you have amazing taste. I love them. Thank you so much."

"We aren't quite done. I'm returning your silver dress and shoes, along with the jewelry. You may need those for another evening out. The jeans are for a couple of dates I have planned. I'll tell you when I'm surprising you, and you can choose what you'd like to wear. I might suggest one or the other, but that doesn't mean you have to wear what I suggest."

"Again, thank you, Andrii. I'm sorry I hurt you when I tried to give back the clothing. I'm uncomfortable with you giving me presents. I'm not with you to get anything."

"Which is why I choose to give you things. It makes me happy. Not only that, Zelie, but it was obvious to me that you had no idea I had money. It feels good to have a woman who wants to be with me for me. Not for what I can give to her."

He pulled out a royal-blue skirt that fell to the ankles in a series of long ruffles. The matching-colored top was a camisole that came to a V at the waist, hugged her breasts, but again was more sensual than showy. It was a classy outfit. He'd paired it with a soft pair of leather boots in a darker blue. A wave of ruffled leather crept up the back of each boot.

Andrii watched her face as he shook the skirt and camisole out to show her. Her eyes went wide and soft. Her lips parted, her expression showing absolute delight at the clothes. He was grateful he'd taken the time to search for the exact color and style he wanted for her. It had taken an extra day to get them to her, and Lana had helped him find the right boutiques to shop in, but that look was well worth his time.

When he pulled out the boots, she shook her head, covered her face and burst into tears. It wasn't exactly the reaction he was going for, but he'd take it. Setting the boots aside, he lifted her into his lap and pressed her face into his chest.

"What is it, Solnyshkuh ? Talk to me. Let me make this right." He kept his voice low and soothing as he brushed kisses into the thick mass of wild hair.

She struggled to pull herself together. He liked the way her fists gripped his tee. He rubbed her back and massaged the nape of her neck, waiting patiently for her to stop crying. It didn't take long. Her lashes were wet and spiky surrounding her liquid-filled eyes, changing the color to a deeper blue.

"No one has ever done anything like this for me, Andrii. It's too much. Too overwhelming. I don't know why you're being so kind to me."

"Baby," he objected.

"No, you don't understand. I don't know what to do to thank you. Or to even things between us. I don't have a clue how to give you this amazing feeling you've given me."

He bent his head and rubbed the bristles of his short beard along her wet cheek. "I told you, Zelie, giving you gifts and watching your face to see if you like what I chose for you makes me happy. I'd know if I got it wrong. A large part of our relationship will be about trust, communication and my ability to read you."

Her long lashes fluttered and then he was looking directly into her eyes. "Why would it be necessary for you to read me?"

"I told you, babe, we're going to have a unique, intense relationship, and I'll need to know instantly when you're not happy with anything I ask of you."

Her eyes moved over his face, studying him carefully. She had a way of looking at him with a little bit of hero worship. There was no doubt that she was attracted to him. She didn't bother to try to hide it, although he knew it embarrassed her that she was so open with him. That was a good part of her personality that he loved.

"What kinds of things are you going to ask of me?"

"We're going to shelve that for a little while, just until you get to know me more. I've told you enough to intrigue you, but at the same time, you're freaking out just a little. I don't want you to get to the point where you're ready to run again."

Her chin went up and color crept up her neck into her face. Those blue eyes glittered like twin jewels. "I didn't run, Andrii. You did."

He couldn't help the grin that welled up out of nowhere. "There you go, calling me out on my shit. You're right. I acted like a child."

"I'm not trying to bring it up, Andrii. You apologized, and as far as I'm concerned, the incident is behind us, but it's important to me that when we discuss any issue, we get the facts correct. You implied I ran from you when it was the other way around," she reiterated. "I don't know what I did wrong other than try to give you back the clothes and jewelry."

"You scared the holy hell out of me, baby," he admitted. He was going to have to avoid many questions she would eventually ask, so he was determined that he would give her truth whenever possible, even if it made him look bad. "I have just as many trust issues as you do, and when you appeared to be so perfect for me, I struck out at you to drive you away. The moment I was in my ride and tearing down the freeway, I knew what a mistake I'd made."

The soft look on her face told him he had done the right thing in confessing. She really had forgiven him and put his entire idiotic reaction behind her. That only reinforced his belief that he'd found a woman he had a chance of being compatible with.

Using the pad of his thumb, he gently wiped at the wet trails on her face. "You have amazing skin, Solnyshkuh . It's even softer than it looks."

Her long lashes fluttered again. "You're going to have to stop giving me compliments. I don't know what to do when you say nice things about me."

Words mattered to her. She was a woman who dealt in words. The world might think she was all about numbers if they knew she did bookkeeping, but Azelie heard music in words. She wrote stories that played in her head. She saw the world differently because of her affinity for words. He loved that about her.

"Babe, you'll have to get used to me telling you the truth about yourself." He rubbed his jaw along the top of her head. Strands of her hair caught in his beard, binding them together. It was ridiculous how much he liked that. He was supposed to mesmerize her, keep her focused and centered on being with him, yet he was fast falling under her spell. It made no sense to him, and panic flooded his system for a brief moment before he could get it under control.

"You bought me three outfits." Her voice was soft, creating intimacy between them.

"I've planned three outings for us." He stroked caresses down the back of her head, deliberately tangling his fingers in the thick strands. Her wild hair was sexy to him, especially because she had such an innocent aura clinging to her. "I tried to find things I think you would enjoy. When is your next free day? It can be anytime during work hours, up until nine. The place I want to take you to closes at nine."

"I have my classes tomorrow. And I have to call Billows back and make an appointment with him."

Maestro could hear dread in her voice. It made him want to take her back to Caspar with him and stash her somewhere safe until his club had taken Billows down. Having her in the line of fire was becoming abhorrent to him, and they were just getting started.

He needed her keys. Various Torpedo Ink members had looked through her studio apartment, which was very small, and yet they hadn't found them. The members of his club were very adept at finding objects hidden in people's homes, no matter how big or small the place was, yet they had been unsuccessful despite several attempts. She didn't appear to carry keys on her person.

Was it possible she didn't have the keys, and Billows admitted her to his underground office when she made an appointment with him?

As if Billows could hear his thinking, the intercom blared. Azelie leapt off his lap, a look of alarm on her face.

"It's him. Billows. I should have answered him." Her fingers went up to her throat, stroking nervously. "It would be better if he didn't see you, Andrii. He's not always rational."

The fact that she tried to protect him endeared her to him even more.

She went to the intercom. "Yes?"

"Let me the fuck in," Billows demanded.

"No. We had an arrangement, Alan. I agreed to continue working for you, but you weren't to come to my home or try to intimidate me."

Andrii could see that she was shaking, but her voice was very steady.

"I agreed to that nonsense when I thought you'd be reasonable." There was a distinct threat in his voice.

It was all Maestro could do not to go downstairs and lay down the law to Billows regarding his woman.

"What have I been unreasonable about?"

"I'm not standing outside arguing with you over this. Open the fucking door."

"I'll come down. We can talk in the lobby." She lifted her finger from the intercom and hastily rushed over to the tiny closet to pull out a puffy jacket. "I'm sorry, Andrii, this won't take long."

"He sounds angry."

"He almost always sounds angry," she agreed.

"Will he get violent with you?"

Azelie shook her head. "I've known him going on seven years. Believe me, he knows if he did, I'd quit."

Andrii didn't want her to quit. That might trigger Billows into kidnapping her and forcing her into his training program for the women and teens he trafficked.

"I'll just go downstairs with you and make sure he doesn't treat you with disrespect."

Azelie reacted exactly how he knew she would. "No, absolutely stay up here, Andrii. He won't be pleasant to you if he thinks you're dating me."

Every cell in his body went on alert. "Why would Billows be ugly if he found out you're dating me? Has he asked you out?"

Andrii was older than she was by a good ten years, but the age difference between her and Billows was double that or more.

"Not like that, not as in trying to take me to dinner. He just acts proprietorial over me. Not like a daughter or sister, just as if he owns me."

She covered her clothing with the puffy jacket. "This shouldn't take long, Andrii."

A part of him felt like laughing at the firmness in her voice. She was dictating to him, insistent that she would face Billows alone. He recognized she was protecting him. She knew his inclination was to go with her and she didn't want that. She knew Billows was a criminal. She might not know about the trafficking, but she knew his books were indicative of a very dangerous man. Andrii doubted if Billows would allow her to leave him. He'd traffic or kill her first. She knew too many of his secrets.

Azelie might be an introvert and a nurturer, but she was highly intelligent. She had to have realized she was in trouble with Billows. She made no attempt to quit despite his mood swings, mostly, Andrii was certain, biding her time, getting through school. She had to have an exit plan. He knew it wouldn't work. Billows would track her down. He couldn't afford for her to be out in the world, a possible informant to law enforcement.

Azelie took the lift down to the entrance. Andrii took the stairs. He was fit and he could move with both speed and stealth. He wasn't about to leave her alone and unprotected with Billows. He'd gone from playing her to protecting her in two meetings. Even if things didn't work out between them, he would see she was free of Billows.

Tonight, he wanted to see the interaction between the woman he considered his and her boss. The two had known each other for nearly seven years. If he was lucky, he would learn vital information, such as where the keys would be to the underground rooms and how to get inside them undetected. Code had gotten the blueprints for the three-story building, but Billows had managed to conceal rooms beneath the Adventure Club, which was beneath the Pleasure Train Club. Those rooms weren't on the blueprints. Torpedo Ink knew the rooms were there, just not how to get to them.

Azelie had opened the door to allow Billows into the foyer. There were a couple of chairs in an alcove across from the stairs. As if she was wholly confident, she turned her back on her employer to lead the way.

From his vantage point, Maestro studied the man his club knew to be a huge cog in the trafficking wheel. He looked to be about forty-five. His hair was thick and sandy colored. Although he was slim, his suit showed off his physique, a man with muscle hiding beneath the smooth lines of his jacket.

Maestro had met him a couple of times, going to the Adventure Club, spending enough money and acting the dominant enough to be noticed. That had been the point. The owner came out to meet with the "big spender." Maestro played up his Russian accent even though he rarely spoke with an accent. Billows had introduced himself and appeared friendly at the first meeting. In the second meeting he'd been more reserved and abrupt. At the third and last, Maestro had felt an immediate threat, as if two predators vying for top position had crossed trails and only one could survive.

"I'm not certain why you couldn't have waited until I got out of class, Alan," Azelie ventured, seating herself across from her boss.

"I told you it's an emergency. I need you to fix the problem tonight. All you had to do to prevent my coming here was answer your damn phone."

Maestro didn't like his tone. The man sounded threatening, ugly even. It didn't seem to faze Azelie. She looked at her boss calmly, not even blinking at the building tension between them. Maestro would have to always remember that his woman would hold her ground under any circumstances if she believed she was in the right.

"I told you that I have school tomorrow. I study before I go to class, particularly if there is going to be a test. I don't always have my phone on me. I don't during class, and I don't when I'm studying. I watch children sometimes, and I rarely have my phone on during those times."

"That's bullshit, Azelie. You're to be available whenever I need you."

Azelie lifted one eyebrow. "We had a deal, Alan. In fact, I have it in writing, signed by you. School is important to me, and there wasn't to be any interference with my classes or studies. I get your books done. I've never once failed you. I don't understand the sudden emergency. If you somehow found out you're going to get a surprise audit, you should have told me this afternoon. At night I study. You know that."

"I know you get paid a hell of a lot of money to push numbers around."

"Actually, I don't. We talked about that too."

He leaned forward. "What does that mean? I know how much you get paid."

"I don't get paid what a regular bookkeeper gets paid. If you had someone else doing for you what I do, you'd be paying them thousands."

He opened his mouth, closed it, sat back, folded his arms across his chest and pressed his lips together, glaring at her. Maestro studied his expression. Billows didn't like what Azelie had just revealed to him. He had to have known the going rate for a bookkeeper like Azelie. Basically, she cooked their books. She tracked down lost money for them. She laundered it into legitimate businesses. According to Code, she barely scraped by.

What the hell? It was impossible for Billows not to know what she got paid, but Maestro was a master at reading people—it was what kept him alive. Billows believed Azelie made far more money than she did. Did he have another bookkeeper? Was he setting Azelie up so it appeared she was skimming cash from the books?

"Let's start over, Azelie," Billows finally said. His tone wasn't exactly conciliatory, but he clearly wanted her to be on the same page with him.

Azelie smiled at her boss and inclined her head—princess to riffraff. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, but it illuminated the beauty in her face. Maestro didn't like the satisfaction gleam creeping into Billows' expression. A man training trafficking victims for the sexual assault that would end up being their lives should have been able to read the falseness of her expression. Either Billows was so arrogant he believed she was into him and wanted to please him, or he didn't care enough to learn to read others. That made him stupid and even more dangerous, in Maestro's opinion.

"I'll see to it that you receive the proper amount of money for the work you do." Billows sat back in the chair and regarded her with shrewd eyes.

To Maestro, the man looked cunning. There was a cruel edge to his mouth, and far too much interest in his gaze when he looked at Azelie.

"I don't know why you aren't receiving what you should be, but I'll fix that immediately."

"I appreciate that, Alan, but my not going tonight isn't about the money. School is extremely important to me. When my classes are over tomorrow, I'll come straight to the club. You know I've never once let you down. I need these classes and I can't reschedule them."

Billows scowled at her, openly showing his displeasure. Maestro paid attention to Azelie's reaction. Had Andrii been the one upset with her, there was no doubt in his mind that she would be uncomfortable and would try to find a compromise. Instead, she appeared serene but implacable.

"How late will you be tomorrow?"

"My last class gets out at four. So basically, all day. I don't even have time for lunch. On my break between classes, I'll study for the tests I'll be taking. So, after four, I'll grab something to eat and come straight to the club."

Maestro noted that she wouldn't have time for lunch. He would find out where she was going to be and bring her something to eat. Someone needed to look after her, and he wanted to be that someone.

Billows' scowl deepened. "Azelie, I've told you it isn't a good idea for any of our customers to see you. We might not be open, but staff arrives and sometimes others come with them. If they like to play in the Adventure Club and you're spotted without a protector, things could go wrong for you. Someone might stalk you."

Maestro found it interesting that Billows appeared to be somewhat protective of her, yet he hadn't visited her in the hospital when she'd been shot. She'd nearly died and was hospitalized and then in rehab for several weeks. If Billows did visit her, Code hadn't found evidence of it, and Azelie had indicated that her boss hadn't come to see her. There had been no protection from press or police.

He also thought it strange, if Billows was concerned for her, that he didn't volunteer to bring her lunch or say he'd have something waiting at the club for her. He didn't want her seen by customers. Was that for her protection? Or was the reason sinister? No one would recognize her if she disappeared.

"I can use the private entrance on the ground floor and come down to the offices. I'll wear my hoodie and keep my face shielded," Azelie offered. "Hopefully, no one will see me."

Billows rubbed his jaw and then shook his head. "I'll come get you around six. It's much darker then."

Maestro's heart did a slow stutter. He didn't want Azelie alone in the car with her boss. The man could take her anywhere. Make her disappear.

Azelie appeared to think it over, and then she was the one shaking her head. "Everyone knows you, Alan. They know your car. If you showed up at the club with a woman in a hoodie, even if they couldn't see my face, you know everyone would be talking. Speculating. You can't go anywhere without celebrity press taking photographs. I think that would bring too much attention to you—and me. I'm used to taking the bus, even in the evening."

She sounded sincerely concerned about bringing undue attention to Billows. Maestro was a little in awe of Azelie's acting skills. He would have to always watch her carefully. He never wanted to miss a single cue, which would clue him in on what she was thinking or how she was feeling.

He knew he was born with instincts, and he'd honed them into a superb skill set. That had been done for survival. When one needed to understand and read the enemy, or any potential enemy, it made a great incentive to work hard. He also had done psychological studies at an early age to better understand and manipulate his enemies. When he was a child, he hadn't been able to spot those willing to betray him, but he sure as hell could now.

Her boss looked pleased. He should have been worried about Azelie going out at night, but instead, he focused on her statement, taking it to mean she was looking out for him. Maestro knew better. His very intelligent woman didn't want any part of getting in a vehicle alone with Billows. Again, Maestro had to wonder how Billows didn't pick up on that.

"I have tons of studying to do tonight, Alan, before I can go to bed." Azelie stood and instantly Billows followed suit, allowing her to lead the way to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow evening," she added as she opened the door for him, stepping back to give him room to exit.

Billows nodded, looking pleased with the outcome. He sauntered down the walkway to his car. Azelie closed the door, which automatically locked, but she stood watching Billows until he entered his vehicle. Believing her safe, Maestro swiftly raced up the stairs and let himself back into her apartment. He quickly arranged the clothes and shoes by outfit. He hadn't shown her the sexy underwear, but he placed the lingerie on the chair as well. The little boxes of jewelry were set beside the lingerie. He hoped she wouldn't notice until he was gone.

When Azelie entered, he was seated, but he stood up. "How did it go?"

She shrugged. "I'm going to meet him after my classes. I get out at four or four-thirty and should have enough time to get home, eat something and change before I have to be there."

"That makes for a long day. When is your lunch break at school?"

"One-thirty, but I don't have time to pick anything up. I'll take some crackers with me. I usually sit outside. The campus has quite a few trees and I enjoy feeling I'm surrounded by nature. I have a semiprivate spot I like to claim where I can just sit and relax before my next class."

"How will you get to the club?"

"I use the bus system all the time."

Deliberately, he raised an eyebrow. "I'll come by and pick you up."

Looking alarmed, Azelie shook her head, an unconscious movement. "I don't think that's a good idea, Andrii. Alan was acting weirder than usual. I never know what mood he's going to be in."

"Do you think I'm afraid of this man?"

"No. But you don't really know him. I screwed up and admitted to you that I started working for him when I was barely sixteen. I even told you what I do for him. Clearly, he's into criminal activities. I know he's all over the celebrity sites and is considered an eligible bachelor, but he isn't a good man."

"Neither am I." Maestro wanted her to keep that in mind. "Still, if you don't want to be seen with me, I'll just hang back and make sure you're safe."

"There isn't any reason. You can't get into the offices. It's a labyrinth down there and there are security measures everywhere, including guards. As it is, I think he would kill me for talking to you about this."

"That's why you haven't left the job."

Again, she shrugged. "I just want you safe. I'm going to be fine, but you need to be safe. That's important to me."

Maestro heard the sincerity in her voice and read the determination on her face. He couldn't help feeling a little overwhelmed by her concern. His brothers and sisters in the club looked out for him, but the way she was anxious to stand in front of him felt huge. Important. Better than good.

"All right, baby, have it your way. Save the day after tomorrow for us. I have somewhere special I want to take you. I'll text you with details."

He wasn't leaving without the taste of her in his mouth. That was most likely a huge mistake, but it didn't matter. He needed the taste of her almost as much as he needed his next breath. Shaping his palm around the nape of her neck, he gently pulled her closer, sliding his thumb along her soft skin, tracing her cheekbone.

" Bog , but you're beautiful," he said. He meant it. She was a beautiful woman, but he didn't mean the outside of her. There were a lot of gorgeous women in the world, but he'd rarely met one with her character.

Her long lashes fluttered and then lifted, and he was looking into wild blue. Shy. So endearing. He could see desire in all that blue. He wanted that look to always be there for him. That meant he had to earn it. He had to step up. She was worth it.

He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. "You remember who you belong with, Solnyshkuh . I was born to be your man."

That meant something to her. Faint color crept under her skin, and her eyes took on a glow. He didn't wait a moment longer, his palm tightening around her neck when he leaned down to brush his lips over hers.

The earth moved under him. The room spun away. There was nothing but the two of them. He had kissed women. Hundreds. Maybe more. A requirement of his training. Since he'd been a free man, kissing was off-limits. Kissing was too intimate, and he didn't enjoy it—or want it. Now it was a need. An addiction. An obsession. She was his obsession.

She tasted as sweet and innocent as she looked. Strawberries and champagne. Strawberries and cream. Strawberries and fire. The longer he kissed her, the hotter the flames burned through his veins. She melted into him, her body pressed tight against his so he felt every feminine curve. So he was aware of the exact way they fit together, as if she'd been created just for him. There was no hesitation on her part. She might not be experienced—and she wasn't—but she was the best he'd ever had. Would ever have.

Her arms slid around his neck, and she surrendered to him wholly. Gave him everything. Offered him the world, and he didn't care what kind of dick he was—he was taking what she was offering, and he would treasure her, do his best to keep her happy. And he would protect her with his life.

He poured possession into his kiss. Gave her fire for fire. Held her as close as possible without breaking her with his strength. She felt perfect to him.

Maestro lifted his head just enough to rest his forehead against hers. "I've never had perfection. I didn't know it even existed."

"I'm not perfect."

"You are for me." He pressed his lips against her forehead and then each temple. "I had no idea I had it in me to feel this way about anyone. When I think of some of the idiotic advice I gave my brothers or said to their women, I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself. I'm sure when you meet them, they'll tell you all about it and I'll look like a dick."

"You aren't a dick."

"I am, baby. I just hope that side of me stays hidden until you're sure of us and you can trust me to make up for my foul temper, controlling ways and idiocy when it comes to a relationship." He forced himself to do the right thing. "I've got to go before it's too late."

Her arms tightened around him, and she looked up at him with the most amazing expression—one of near adoration. He didn't deserve it, but he was going to take it.

"What if I don't want you to go?"

The blush of her skin was like a rose blooming to him. She was so beautiful he ached inside. She was embarrassed to ask him to stay, but she still gave him that.

"I don't want to go either, Solnyshkuh , but you aren't ready. The kind of relationship I want with you is based on trust, not sex. Although we're going to fuck a hell of a lot. When you trust me enough to live with my flaws, I'll take care of you, baby."

A little shiver had gone through her body at his crude declaration, but she didn't pull away. If anything, she moved closer, clung tighter, held on. "Perfection," he murmured and didn't dare risk kissing her again. He had always been a man with control, but she seemed able to rob him of that iron discipline he'd learned in the school from hell. "I'm leaving now, Zelie, but I'll see you tomorrow."

He turned abruptly and walked out before she could remind him she had classes all day and an appointment with Billows. Before he could lose his resolve and stay to fuck her all night. To hold her close and let her in further.