Page 93 of The Daredevil
“It’s okay,” he said, tucking all the contents back in. “I’m Viktor. I just moved into the adjacent building.” He jerked a chin to the apartment building next to mine.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Michelle.” I didn’t realize my voice was shaky.
He looked at me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I just thought someone was following me.”
“Where?” He looked around, his eyes scanning the area.
I didn’t see the car anymore. “It’s gone. I think I’m just scaring myself.” Changing the topic, I pointed to his groceries. “What are you making for dinner?”
“Ah, I’m not making anything. I’m bringing my friend some groceries. She’s always cooking for me.”
“A friend who cooks for you is a keeper,” I said, assuming it was his girlfriend. “You have a good evening.”
“You too.” He offered a warm smile.
Feeling better, I rushed into my building with my chicken pot pie, showered, and couldn’t wait to tell Royce about the charity auction.
CHAPTERFORTY-EIGHT
ROYCE
After surveyingthe area around Michelle’s apartment, I walked into the lobby and turned to the mailbox, where a camera on the wall aimed right at me. I liked that she had security inside and outside the building. With the incidents in Iceland and Brittany still unaccounted for, I had to ensure Michelle was safe. I wondered if Dominic would turn to Michelle to get to me.
Wanting to surprise her with my early arrival, I spotted Michelle’s name on the wall, pressed the buzzer, looked up at the camera, and gave her my biggest grin.
“Royce!” Her cheerful voice boomed from the speaker, followed by a buzz at the door, allowing me to enter.
As I got off the elevator to her door, she ran down the hallway and leaped into my arms. I buried my face in her hair, inhaling her scent as though it were all the oxygen my body needed.
“Why didn’t you tell me you’d be home early? I could have picked you up from the airport.”
I looked down at her eyes. “Because I wanted to surprise you.”
She kissed me for a long moment and then led me into her quaint one-bedroom apartment with a good-sized kitchen and many windows adorned with solid-colored curtains. Photographs of tranquil, scenic views splashed on lilac-colored walls. The living room had a comfortable couch, an armchair that she could sink into, and a round coffee table filled with magazines and books. A soft rug sat over the hardwood floors.
“Are you hungry? I have leftover chicken pot pie.”
“I’d love some.”
“Any updates on Brittany?”
So much had happened since she left Iceland, but I didn’t want my first night home to be discussing other people. I didn’t want any pleasantries filling her apartment tonight. Tonight was about her. I missed her so damn much, my chest hurt.
I leaned against her kitchen wall and watched her prepare my meal. “We can talk about that tomorrow. I want happy and sexy thoughts of you tonight.”
She tossed a seductive glance over her shoulder as she removed the plate from the microwave. “I made something for you, but you need to place a bid if you want them.”
The gleam in her eyes made me smile. “Them?”
“Yes.” She smirked, and my cock hardened.
“If you made them for me, then they belong to me.” I walked over, placing a hand on either side of her, caged her in, and brushed my lips over hers. “Why should I bid on something that already belongs to me?”
She shivered from my touch. “Because it’s for a good cause.”
I whispered in her ear, moving my lips down her throat, “I’ve got a noble cause right now.”