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He chuckles softly under his breath. “You can sleep on the ride over to the house, I promise.”
He lifts one of the tray covers to steal a piece of bacon.
“And where exactly is my new house?” I maneuver to perch on the edge of the couch arm.
“Forest Hills.”
“Where?”
“In Queens.”
I choke on a laugh.
“Of course, it is.”
My heartbeat is ringing in my ears, and my chest is so tight it hurts to take a full breath.
I swallow, my throat scratchy and raw, but I ignore it. Ignore all the feelings that are coursing through my body, all the needs that I’m neglecting. Especially the one that I so badly wanted Alexei to fulfill last night.
That cannot happen again. I can’t afford to let my guard down for one second around this man, no matter how many times he says he’s going to protect me at all costs.
I fall asleep in the backseat of Alexei’s Range Rover if only to stop myself from saying anything else I might regret.
He informs me that the drive will only take half an hour if we don’t hit any traffic.
Why the hell did he wake me so early, then?
But the short power nap does rejuvenate me a little so that by the time we’re pulling up outside his ridiculously huge mansion, which backs onto the Forest Hills park, I’m in a better mood to appreciate my new home.
“It’s just you that lives here?” I climb out of the car, choosing to ignore the fact that Alexei opened my door. I crane my neck as I take in the house.
The property is stunning, with windows that span over all three stories, thick pillars on either side of the double front door that must be almost twice Alexei’s height, as well as expansive grounds that surround the house.
“It’s my family’s main residence in New York, but my three brothers often choose to stay at our penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side. I’ve told them to stay away from here for a few days at least so as not to…overwhelm you.”
“Ah, yes, because meeting new brothers-in-law really can tip a girl over the edge.”
Alexei ignores my comment, and I frown as he guides me up the front steps to the house. He seems less playful than he did yesterday, or was that side of him merely a ruse to help ease me into the idea of marrying him?
I cross my arms over my chest, fighting the lump in my throat as I watch the man I was forced to marry open up the front door to our new home.
He stands to the side, holding the door for me as I cross the threshold, and his rich musky scent hits me as I brush past him.
My breath catches, but I quickly distract myself by taking in the expansive foyer of my new house.
“It’s… It’s…” I have no words as I glance around, taking in the rich mahogany detailing, the dark jewel tone colors of the walls.
I’m no stranger to wealth, my father isn’t exactly short of money, but the Koslovs are on a whole new level of wealth.
My mouth hangs ajar.
This is my new home.
“I have a more old-fashioned eye when it comes to interior design.” Alexei moves to my side.
I try to ignore the fact he’s standing so close, the rich sandalwood scent that hits my nose as I take a breath.
“The kitchen and bathrooms are fairly modern, but I prefer a more cozy feeling to the main living spaces.”
