Page 58 of Shadows of Obsession

"You can do whatever you want in this house. Okay? If you need quiet, you can use my office."

The surprise is visible in her eyes. I really want her to understand that I trust her and that I need her to feel the same toward me.

She gives me a quick “okay” before heading to the door then turns back for a soft kiss on my cheek. Just a brief moment, but it tells me everything - no regrets about last night, about becoming mine.

Too bad she doesn't realize that regrets wouldn't matter - I'd never let her walk away.

While Luna's changing, I rush to get ready for work. I’m running so late I'll barely have time to gulp down coffee, let alone eat.

Downstairs, I find Luna at the kitchen counter with her laptop while Anuska makes coffee. I can’t help smiling at how perfectly she fits here, like she's always belonged. And Anuska - who usually keeps any woman I'm seeing at arm's length - seems different with her.

She once dealt with an ex who thought surprising me at home was a good idea - never mind that I'd never invited her here. 'Amusing' doesn't begin to describe watching Anuska call the guards to escort her out.

Luna glances up from her laptop, flashing that smile that never fails to knock the wind out of me.

“Anuska says she's fine with me working here during the morning meeting.”

One look at Anuska tells me everything I need to know.

She likes Luna.

“Trust me, you couldn't annoy her if you tried. Though she might drive you crazy,” I say, sliding behind her to wrap my arms around her waist.

I can't stop touching her. I know this thing between us is barely hours old, but all I want is to feel her skin against mine.

I kiss her head again, and when she turns to me, I take advantage of the opportunity to talk for a moment.

"I don't know when I'll get back home. Anton stayed at your apartment. He'll bring more clothes, and I'll talk to Anuska about moving them to my bedroom."

"We need to talk when you return, please," she tells me after studying me for a few seconds.

I nod and lean toward her mouth. I feel her holding her breath, and the moment our mouths touch, I forget we're in public and that these displays aren't in my nature. She tastes like coffee and something sweeter that makes me want to never break away from her, and that's not okay. This need to taste a bit of her at every opportunity is a vulnerability that will be discovered.

Her hands position themselves on my neck and she's the one who deepens the kiss, confirming that it's not just me feeling this need to somehow be closer even though physically we're millimeters apart.

"I have to go, love," I whisper while still dropping kisses on her mouth.

"I know."

And the look she gives me is enough to bring me to my knees. She feels vulnerable staying here, but Niko and I need to resolve the logistics of everything that happened last night.

"Victoria already left, Anuska?" I ask before leaving the kitchen.

"Yes, she had ballet at eight. I haven't told her anything."

I thank her before leaving.

As soon as I get in the car, I tell Sergey, one of my trusted men, to call Goran, who's always with Victoria, to request reinforcements. I want a minimum of three soldiers with her at all times, although I know this will lead to an argument with her. She's at the age where she seeks freedom, but I can't offer that when I've started a war with the Irish mafia.

In thirty minutes I'm at the office and Niko waits for me with coffee in hand, a sign that he didn't have an easy night either. Except unlike mine, his probably involved one or two women whose names he probably doesn't remember, just their bra sizes.

"You look...good?!" he tells me in a slightly shocked tone, and I burst out laughing.

"I slept."

Normally I function on three to four hours of sleep per night; six and a half hours is a new record, and I know it's because ofher.

"You should do that more often," he tells me while I sit down.

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