GUARDED FLAMES

CHAPTER SEVEN

EVANGELINE

he was avoidin me again. no surprise there.

but this time it was worse.

he was angry. jaw tight. shoulders tense. eyes cold.

and i knew it wasn’t about my dad or the job or even the rules. it was about me.

he wanted me, and it was killin him inside.

good. let it burn.

i sat on the kitchen counter in one of my tiny little silk sleep shorts and a tank top that barely counted as decent. if he walked in, he was gettin a show whether he liked it or not.

and luck was on my side.

he came in. middle of the night. lookin tired and pissed and way too damn sexy.

shirtless again. always shirtless. like he knew what he was doin.

his eyes landed on me, and they lingered. just a second too long.

“what are you doin up?” he asked, voice all gravel and thunder.

“couldn’t sleep,” i said, swingin my legs, tryin to sound casual. “you?”

he opened the fridge, grabbed a water bottle, and didn’t answer. classic Nikolai.

“you’ve been avoidin me,” i added.

he sighed. “you know why.”

“do i?” i tilted my head. “cuz the way you kissed me, doesn’t feel like you’re tryin real hard to stay away.”

he slammed the fridge shut.

i flinched.

but then he came closer.

real close.

hands on either side of my thighs, caging me in on the counter. his face just inches from mine. his breath hittin my lips.

“you don’t get it,” he said low. “i’m not a good man, angel. i’ve done things. ugly things. and your dad—he’d kill me for touchin you.”

i shrugged. “he doesn’t have to know.”

he laughed. but it was hollow. painful. “you think that makes this easier?”

“no,” i whispered. “but i still want you.”

his eyes locked on mine, like he was tryna read the truth in my soul. then his hands slid up my thighs, slow. careful.

i gasped.

he pressed his forehead to mine, shakin.

“you’re so fuckin beautiful,” he whispered. “you make me forget who i am.”

“then forget,” i breathed. “just for tonight.”

his lips brushed mine.

barely there.

then again.

then—

the sound of a door slamming upstairs broke the moment like glass.

he backed up fast, breath ragged.

“f**k,” he hissed. “we can’t. not now.”

i wanted to scream. cry. pull him back.

but i didn’t.

i just watched him walk away again.

and this time?

i wasn’t gonna let him run forever.