Whiskey Sharp: Jagged. Lauren Dane

today. She’s a hard taskmaster and has very high standards when it comes to what she considers a successful day’s take.”

      Rachel laughed. Mrs. Orlov was one of her favorite people. Though small in stature, she was a big presence. Especially within her family. A force to be reckoned with in her community.

      She only hoped to one day live as boldly as her own person as Irena did.

      As he made the food, she hopped down and began to slice thick pieces of bread to be toasted. Pretty much daily throughout the last several years, she’d eaten bread created in the Orlovs’ ovens. It had given her roots. A sense of place in her new life.

      And at least a few more pounds.

      “I brought fresh butter,” he told her, indicating a wax paper–wrapped square on the counter.

      Fresh bread and butter brought to her by a gorgeous man? She must have done something pretty awesome in a past life.

      “I also brought some of the tea I texted you about earlier today. Drink it an hour or so before you want to go to sleep.” He paused. “How are you feeling? Aside from the sleeplessness that is. I haven’t seen you in person since Sunday night.”

      Embarrassment flooded her. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe you had to see all that. We invite you over for a meal and then act like assholes.”

      He looked up, anger on his features a moment. “You don’t apologize for that. I told you Sunday. Everything that happened was from your father. Don’t insult me with apologies.” He made a sound. A distinctly Russian thing his whole family tended to do when they got annoyed or impatient. A bah! of a sound.

      It made her smile. She saluted him. “Okay then. I’m feeling tired. Worried, I suppose. But pissed off is the dominant emotion.”

      “Did you call Seth about a protection order?”

      “I called someone else. A friend of a friend. I used to be in law enforcement, remember? I have a meeting with an attorney tomorrow.” Though if Washington was like most other states, getting this order would be difficult because her father hadn’t physically threatened her.

      But if an official body like a court told her father to leave her alone, he would. It would be the underline of authority he’d need to truly back off.

      It hurt to know she was going to take an official step to keep her parents away from her. Hurt to know she had to.

      He’d gone to the stove, the omelet now in a skillet.

      They worked in the kitchen, stepping around one another to complete their tasks and she realized he didn’t evoke the need to step away. She didn’t think about how she’d take him down if he ever tried to hurt her. Not anymore anyway.

      They were alone in her house and he was half a foot taller and she trusted him not to use that against her.

      It made her feel just a little more human, a little more okay every time she was able to take a step back from that dark pit she’d been in for so long. She was more person than wounded animal in a trap.

      * * *

      THE WANT, THE need to put his mouth back on hers rode him hard. She was more than he’d thought even just an hour before.

      Now that he’d tasted her there was no going back. No unknowing. Part of her lived in him now and he liked it.

      He hadn’t planned to kiss her that morning. He’d wanted to wait until their date. But well, she’d been there and looked at him with that fucking gorgeous face. It had been better than he’d imagined it could be. The connection between them sparking to life.

      Sexy. So sexy his skin seemed to buzz just being near her.

      She placed a pitcher of juice on the table, nudging it his way.

      “You’re a good host,” he told her as they sat.

      “You did everything. All I had to provide was a table and some plates. I think I win.” She shook her head as she peppered her food. “And I also have to admit Alexsei is the one who grocery shops most often so I can’t even take credit for the juice.”

      This private Rachel was one he craved. She was open with those closest to her. He loved it when she teased him. Her dry sense of humor had been a delight to discover. And the sexy flirting, a new addition to their interplay, had been a really great surprise.

      “I bumped into Evie at the grocery store yesterday. She showed me pictures for a tattoo she wants,” she told him.

      He withheld—barely—an eye roll. His sister was trendy. She had the latest shoes and clothes and now wanted a tattoo. But she was so picky it had been at least a year since she came up with the idea of getting one and hadn’t pulled the trigger on it because she couldn’t choose.

      “It’s nice that you’re so close with her,” she said.

      “She’s a pain in my ass with shit taste in men.” He shook his head. “But no one makes a cinnamon roll like her so I suppose we’re stuck with each other.” His little sister was the heart of their family. Especially since Danil had died.

      “Little sisters are the best. Don’t tell Maybe I said so. I like to keep her guessing.”

      Vic snorted. “I’m fairly sure your sister already knows you have a soft spot for her.”

      “Someone needs to,” Rachel muttered.

      Vic reached across the table and squeezed her hand, surprising them both. But she smiled, squeezed back and then pulled away.

      “So. Our second date. What should we do? Dinner? Movie? Drinks? All three?” he asked.

      She looked at him awhile. Not speaking. He looked back, wanting her to see he was serious.

      “I’m weird.”

      “Huh.” He cocked his head a moment. “I was not expecting that. Like at all.”

      She laughed. “I’m told I can be unpredictable.”

      He leaned closer, pleased at the way her pupils grew larger as he did. “I like unpredictable.” He took a bite, thinking over what else to say. “Are you trying to warn me off? List your supposed negative attributes so I’ll see you’re not worth my time? Because after those kisses I should warn you it’ll take more than you telling me you’re weird. In case you hadn’t noticed, my whole family is weird.”

      She paused and he watched what had to be a dozen thoughts flit over her features. So expressive when she decided to share that part of herself with him.

      He challenged her.

      It made her feel like he knew she was strong enough to own her shit. So he called her on it because she was worth the energy.

      “I’m just saying I come with a lot of baggage.” She shrugged. He was an excellent cook. The eggs were buttery soft, the saltiness of the ham a perfect addition.

      He eased back, eating once again, but keeping his focus on her. “You’re attracted to me. We have some major chemistry. Are you saying I’m imagining it?”

      She was a lot of things but she wasn’t a liar. Not even to herself.

      “No. You’re not imagining it. Zing.” She waved a hand between them, indicating their attraction. “We’ve got it big time.”

      His smile sent a shock of desire through her. “All right, that’s established. So why hesitate about coming out with me?”

      “To be clear, I’m not hesitating about going out with you. I just wanted to be clear up front that I’m damaged goods.”

      He sat back to take her in, all feline and powerful. He moved like music, caught her up in him like magic.

      “You’re not damaged, Rachel. You’ve had life happen to you. And some of it was a nightmare.”