I can't help but grin. "Maybe I'm more adventurous than I gave myself credit for. You taught me that. And, I suppose... knowing my brothers and father are gone now makes it easier to embrace the parts of myself I was afraid of."
He moves closer, his hand finding my waist. "You don't have to be afraid at all, krasavitsa. I'm right here. I'll take care of you."
"I know that, Sam. I do. But---" I blow out a breath, trying to decide how to say this. "I don't just want you to take care of me. I don't want to be another responsibility on your long to-do list. I want to feel like I'm included in your life. I want to make decisions."
He looks around, something between a grimace and a smile dancing on his lips. "And your first decision is to make me hike up ten flights of stairs every time I wan
