But instead of hitting something hard like I expect to, I land on something soft.

The thing that I land on huffs loudly as though I’ve knocked the wind out of him. Arms immediately wrap around me, and before I can figure out a way to escape my new predicament, he rolls me over so that I’m on my back, staring up at him, pinned beneath his muscular body.

“Get off me,” I squeal in horror.

He chuckles in amusement, and it makes me pause.

“What’s so funny?” I huff, looking into Andrei’s eyes.

The moment my eyes lock with his, my entire body responds.

My pulse quickens, my heart beating so fast I am convinced he can feel it pounding against his chest. My blood runs hotter, and my breath gets heavy.

Desire floods me.

His green eyes are bright and magnetic. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to make myself look away.

“Did you really think you could climb that wall?” he muses, his deep voice rumbling against me.

My lips part as the scent of him becomes all I can focus on.

He moves against me.

But then pain shoots through my legs, and I cry out.

Andrei quickly shifts off me, and his face darkens with worry.

“What happened?” he asks.

“My knees,” I complain, trying to stand up. There is blood seeping through my jeans. Not a lot, but enough to confirm that I’ve done damage.

Before I can get to my feet, Andrei scoops me into his arms and holds me cradled against him as he carries me inside.

“Put me down. I can walk,” I complain, my cheeks flushing pink.

I am so embarrassed about the effect he has on me. I hate the fact that he’s so gorgeous, and my body screams for his attention.

We walk past guards and housekeepers, and my cheeks get hotter and redder as they stare with curiosity.

“Put me down,” I squeal again as he climbs the stairs towards my bedroom.

“Will you be quiet? I’m trying to help you,” he snaps.

“No, I don’t want your help.”

Andrei puts me down when we reach my bathroom, setting me on the countertop.

I move to jump off, and he immediately grabs my waist and pushes me further back.

“Don’t you dare,” he growls darkly.

I freeze, taken aback by his dominance. For a moment, I can’t move or find my voice, so I sit like a reprimanded child while he leans down to look at my knees.

He lets out a low snarl.

“You hurt yourself badly, Tatiana,” he says angrily. “Why did you think you could climb that wall? Do you want to kill yourself?”

“No, I want to escape you. And Icanclimb that wall. The only reason I didn’t make it to the top is becauseyoucame along and gave me a fright.”