I ended the call and used my walker to maneuver out of the chair and into the adjoining bath to take a shower.
Ten minutes later, I emerged, freshly showered, again using my walker to move into the bedroom and get dressed in clean jeans and a red sweater. I towel-dried my hair, combed through the tangles, then settled into my wheelchair and wheeled in front of my dresser to look into the mirror as I braided my hair into two long ropes. I had the typical Popov blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes, though I wasn’t stunning and fashionable like my female cousins. Instead, I was kind of a plain Jane. I’d never been comfortable in heels or fancy dresses, feeling like a fraud every time I was forced to dress up. I rarely wore makeup. I often pulled my hair back into a ponytail or weaved it into braids to get it off my neck. I’d been toying with the idea lately to have it all chopped off into a boyish style that was easier to manage. Someday I might even do that.
I finished the last braid, dropping my hands and making a face in the mirror at the nerdy concert pianist who hadn’t dated or had sex in years. Like—I paused to count—threeyears now.Pathetic.I’d been twenty-four when I’d last dated anyone. Ben had been a nice guy, a software developer, but once he’d found out who my family was, he’d run like the wind. I couldn’t really blame him, though. Not many men were comfortable dating a Bratva princess. I hadn’t dated anyone since. Going out and meeting people was too much bother.
Adrik was the first man I’d been attracted to since Ben had fled.
The very thought of my elusive protector sent heat pumping through my veins. Of all the men to be attracted to, why did my body choose the one who wouldn’t even let me see his face?
Snorting, I wheeled away from the dresser. I would just have to wear him down somehow, get him to open up to me and let me see him.
I opened the door, wheeling out into the hallway, not expecting to see the subject of my thoughts leaning against the wall right outside of my room.
My pulse pounded and my skin prickled as he straightened away from the wall.
I sucked in a breath. Dear God, did this man realize how he affected me?
I willed him to turn toward me, to let meseehim, but he kept his head turned away, the hoodie pulled close to hide his features.
“What are you doing out here?”
He cleared his throat. “Just doing my job, making sure you’re safe.”
I gave a small shake of my head. “Why aren’t you napping? Aren’t you exhausted?”
“Someone’s got to guard you.”
I huffed. “I’m perfectly safe inside this property and you know it. You can take a nap, Adrik. Go ahead.”
“Tim and I plan to trade off. He’s napping now. I’ll sleep later.”
I shrugged.Fine. Whatever.
“I’ll be in the piano room.” I wheeled past Adrik without waiting for his response. I needed something to help me relax. Something to get my mind off the crazy stalker who may or may not be my attacker from Chicago. I needed my piano.
Reaching the intercepting hallway that led to the other side of the house, I wheeled forward, pausing as I came to the “great room” where my Fazioli grand piano sat gracefully in the center of the room in all its sleek glory.
My baby.
I wheeled up to the piano and halted as I reached it. I had a piano here and another one in L.A. Though I hadn’t been to the lake house since before the “incident”, not a single speck of dust could be found on the piano. Nora was an impeccable housekeeper, and I appreciated that she took such great care of my baby while I was away.
Adrik trailed into the room after me, keeping his face averted.
My loyal guard who wouldn’t let me see him.
Since I’d left my walker in my bedroom, I carefully rose from the chair on my good leg to try to situate myself onto the piano bench.
Adrik rushed forward. “Do you need help?”
I hesitated as I hovered on my good leg. The closer I let Adrik get, the more he would let down his guard, the more he would trust me, and the more he would tell me about myself.
Or so I hoped.
Was that manipulation? Probably. But I didn’t have any evil intentions. I was just being a woman, curious and wanting to know more about him.
Hiding a smile, I murmured, “Yes, please.”
His touch gentle, Adrik picked me up and set me onto the bench. I breathed him in, his clean masculine scent mixed with a faint hint of soap and the more prominent smell of aftershave tickling my nostrils. He must have recently showered too. Awareness pulsed through my veins. I pulled my gaze to his face, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man underneath the hoodie, but of course he kept his head turned away, which only ignited my frustration. Adrik was contradiction upon contradiction. His mannerisms were polite and respectful, even sweet at times. Yet, he also had a wild-animal-like wariness about him that suggested he was a hard man to get close to. I hoped to remedy that. In fact, all of a sudden, winning him over was my top priority.