Page 21 of Gilded in Blood

“I— uh—” My cheeks burn as I straighten up, painfully aware that I’m standing in front of him in nothing but a bikini, skin glistening with sweat, and I’ve just been caught eavesdropping.

“I was just… coming in to get a towel! I took a swim…”

The excuse sounds ridiculous even to my own ears.

His gaze drops slowly over my body, taking in every inch of exposed skin before returning to my face. The intensity in his stare makes heat pool low in my belly.

Before he can say anything or question me further, I spin around and practically flee back toward the rooftop, my bare feet slapping against the floor.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kirill

My little temptress was trying to eavesdrop on my conversation. The thought should’ve pissed me off, but instead, it makes me smile.

I was on the phone when I noticed her shadow under the door. What I didn’t expect when I stepped out was her dressed in nothing but a bikini.

I watch her run off, her hips moving with every step. Fuck. This girl is really trying to kill me.

I head back inside to finish my call, and when I’m done, I make my way up to the rooftop.

I tell myself it’s just to check on her, to make sure she’s not doing anything stupid. But the moment I step outside and see her by the pool, my body reacts like a fucking traitor.

Milana is standing at the edge of the water in that tiny black bikini, the fabric clinging to every curve. Sunlight gleams off her skin. Water droplets trail down her stomach, disappearing into the waistband of her thong. She looks like sin wrapped in innocence, and my cock hardens instantly, painfully.

The surge of raw lust pisses me off. I stalk toward her, letting the cold mask slide firmly into place.

She turns at the sound of my footsteps, eyes widening slightly.

“I need to leave the building for a while,” I say, voice deliberately sharp and cold.

She crosses her arms over her chest, which only pushes her breasts higher. “Okay…?”

“Because I caught you trying to leave earlier, I don’t trust you to behave while I’m gone.” I step closer, towering over her. “I’m locking the apartment until I return. You stay inside.”

Milana’s mouth falls open in outrage. “You’re going to lock me in? Like a prisoner? Are you serious right now?”

“Dead serious.”

“This is insane!” She gestures wildly. “I’m not a child, and I’m not your captive. You can’t just⁠—”

“I can and I will,” I cut her off, my tone ice-cold. “Your safety matters more than your tantrum. Those men who attacked us in Manchester are still out there. I’m not risking you doing something reckless while I’m handling business.”

Her cheeks flush with anger, eyes flashing with that fire I’m starting to crave. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Get used to it.” I turn toward the door, forcing myself not to look at her body again. “Don’t bother trying to leave. I’ll know.”

I walk away before she can argue more, before the sight of her in that thong makes me do something far more dangerous than locking her in.

This woman is testing every ounce of control I have. And I’m not sure how much longer I can keep pretending she doesn’t affect me.

Milana

After Ilya leaves, I stand on the rooftop for a long moment, gripping the edge of the pool railing so hard my knuckles turn white.

I’m furious. Livid. He locked me in like some misbehaving pet. But underneath the anger, heat simmers low in my belly, thick and insistent. The way he looked at me, he seemed cold, but those eyes were burning and it leaves me aching.

And then there’s the memory of him this morning. Nothing but a towel, water sliding over that powerful chest, the dark cross tattoo etched across his skin. It keeps flashing through my mind.