He half-smiled and brushed his mouth over hers. She felt it all the way to her toes, but he moved back too quickly for her to fully enjoy it.
“How does a glass of red wine sound? It might help you sleep since you won’t take your medicine.” His voice was slightly annoyed as he started scooping the food onto two plates.
The doctor who’d looked her over at the hospital had given her a prescription for pain meds, but she hadn’t taken anything except ibuprofen. “That sounds good.” It was weird seeing him acting so domestically, moving around the kitchen with such ease. “Did you cook this?”
He snorted and shot her an amused glance over his shoulder. “No. I have someone who comes in once or twice a week with casseroles and pre-makes things for me for the week.”
She laughed lightly. “Can I help with anything?”
He simply frowned and turned to the microwave as it dinged. “You are not to do anything for at least a week.”
“Pretty sure that’s not what the doctor said.”
“It’s what I say.” He pulled out the plate and tested it before bringing it over to her. “And you will follow orders.” There was no command in his voice, more concern than anything else.
“If you hadn’t just saved my life I might take issue with your bossiness,” she murmured, taking the glass of wine he offered her.
“And you’ll be staying here.” There was no room for argument in his tone. He leaned against the island next to her seat, determination in his blue eyes as he looked down at her.
“For the next week?”
“Yes.” There was something in his tone she couldn’t quite read.
“I’d like that…if you’re sure.” Things between them had happened so quickly, and while she knew her feelings for him were true, she also didn’t want him to get sick of her. He was such a hard man to read. Even though he’d made himself vulnerable with her a couple times, she still wasn’t sure if his feelings for her were as strong.
His eyebrows pulled together. Instead of responding he turned and put his own plate in the microwave. “I’ve got security stationed around the house but no one inside. And Abram and Lucy have gone back to his place.”
“I thought those two were together,” she murmured, blowing on her food. “Any new developments I should know about?”
He shook his head and leaned against the counter, watching her with that brooding stare she found she liked way too much. “Nothing new.”
“What’s wrong, then?” Because she was coming to learn his moods, and right now something was bothering him. A lot. “We’re not in danger, we’re alone, and we’ve got awesome food.”
He rounded the island and pushed right up into her personal space. She dropped her fork as he cupped her face in his hands, his hold so incredibly gentle it made her want to cry. “I keep seeing you tied up, him hitting you and…” He swallowed hard, the raw vulnerability on his face clawing at her.
Through everything that had happened, he’d been a rock. She’d been a complete sobbing mess once he’d gotten her out of that building. It was like the floodgates had opened and she just couldn’t stop crying. She’d been so damn grateful to lean on him. He’d been next to her through all the police questions, stoic and unshakeable.
She moved off the chair, pulling him into a tight embrace, resting her head against his chest. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here, safe, and nothing is going to happen to us again. I know I said it already but thank you for coming for me. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for being you. I…love you.” She pulled back as she said the words, so she could see his face as she admitted the truth. “I’m not saying it because of what happened. I’m saying it because it’s the truth. I love you, Viktor.”
He stared down at her, as if he couldn’t believe what she’d said. “I…” He cleared his throat. “You’re moving in with me.”
She blinked at his brusque tone as well as his words. “What?”
“I don’t want you here for just the week. I want you here always.” His big body was trembling under her hold and she realized this was how he was telling her that he loved her.
Or she really hoped that’s what he meant. Because what she felt for him was consuming. She would need to hear the words eventually but for now, happiness bloomed in her chest. “We’ll talk about it at the end of the week.”
He just gave her a sensual look before brushing his mouth over hers in a teasing, stroking kiss that once again was over way too quickly. “Eat your food.”
She did as he said, and once they were done he carried her to his bed where he tucked both of them in and wrapped his arm snug around her middle. She could feel the hard length of him pressed against her back but he made no move to do anything about it.
She was too exhausted anyway and she was grateful that he was simply holding her. She needed his strength.