Living next door to Blossom Fairbrother was going to be interesting.
*****
Illya didn’t get much sleep. And when he did, Blossom kept invading his dreams. She made it very uncomfortable for him and his hand was cramping from overuse. It was very difficult to type anything at work.
Having eye-candy next door would normally be a good thing. Illya could appreciate a beautiful woman, and there had been a lot of them in Arlington who were more than happy to sunbathe topless in the gardens, well aware that people were watching them. So, it should have been easy enough to live beside a beautiful woman. But Blossom was something else. Illya had never reacted to a woman like that, not even to Nat and they had been together for three years.
It was going to be harder than he thought to live beside Blossom. He could take her to bed but then things might get awkward. Illya didn’t want to move again, not so soon.
He was still in a daze when he went into the office, only snapping out of it when he sat down at his computer. Maybe sorting out the payroll and doing the books would do him some good. A good distraction.
And it did work for a few hours. Illya managed to get the priority work sorted first and then went on to the more mundane work. But then his mind wandered back to Blossom. He wondered what she was doing. During their talk over dinner, she'd said she worked as a domestic violence worker in a women’s shelter in southern Baltimore. She didn’t work that far from him right then. Illya admired her working with abused women, it wasn’t an easy job to do at all.
Then again, he worked for the Russian mob. That wasn’t exactly an easy gig, either.
It wasn’t long before Illya was sitting facing the window, looking out into the park across the street. He liked the view but he wasn’t really paying it much attention. Not when a beautiful black woman was in the forefront of his mind. He wondered what she was doing right then. Just the mere thought of her had Illya’s cock stiffening again.
Illya was so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn’t hear the door opening and closing. He didn’t see someone walk around in front of him. It wasn’t until someone sat astride his lap that Illya snapped to attention and looked up into a smiling face, surrounded by thick, curly blonde hair tumbling about her shoulders and wearing a blouse that was open to show her black lace bra. The smile widened as the woman put her arms around his shoulders.
“Hey, handsome.”
Illya panicked. What the hell…? He practically shoved her off, not bothering to catch her as she tumbled into a heap on the floor. Illya jumped up, springing away from her in alarm.
“Nicoletta, what the hell? What are you doing?”
“I was getting your attention.” Nicoletta sat up and grinned. “I thought that would work.”
“It certainly did.”
Nicoletta Romanova had never been that brazen before. She'd made it clear that she wanted Illya and openly flirted with him, sometimes in front of her brother Anton, but Illya had also made it clear he wasn’t interested in her. Beautiful as she was, Nicoletta was one of those people Illya would never touch with a pole. Her brother being his boss was one of the many reasons.
Then Illya noticed something. Nicoletta stood up rather unashamedly and tugged her skirt down. For a brief moment, Illya thought he was seeing things, and then he realized what he'd just witnessed.
“Are you wearing panties?”
Nicoletta grinned and fished out a black thong from her pocket, holding it up with one finger.
“I thought it might give you easier access.”
Illya then looked down at his pants. His crotch had a damp patch right over his zipper. It looked like he'd had an accident. He felt sick. He swore in Russian.
“That’s disgusting!”
“What? Men would find a woman with no panties sitting on them a turn-on.”
“But I’m not most men, am I?”
Illya felt like he needed a shower. Nicoletta had never done that before. He thought she'd been told more than enough times that she should leave her brother’s people alone, that she was going to get herself into trouble. But Nicoletta didn’t seem to care and Illya wished she would just leave him alone.
Nicoletta’s smile faded when she saw Illya’s look of horror. She huffed.
“Look, I’ve been telling you for months that I want you but you keep pushing me away. Why?”
Illya growled. He felt as though his blood pressure was rising.
“Because I’m not a fool. Not only do I see you as a little sister—and an annoying one, at that—you’re my boss’ sister. That makes you off-limits, Nicoletta.”
Anton had made it very clear that nobody was to touch his sister. And Illya had a feeling that Anton wouldn’t approve of his accountant sleeping with his sister. Illya didn’t blame him, he would feel the same way.
He just wished Nicoletta wasn’t so thick-headed.
Nicoletta turned her smile back on and sauntered over to him. Illya darted around the desk. He felt like a coward running away from her but he wasn’t about to have her hands all over him.
“How about you forget that I’m Anton’s sister for once?” she purred, reaching for him. “Just once. I won’t bother you after that.”
Illya grabbed her wrists and pushed her away none-too-gently.
“Yes, you will. And I can’t forget it. Go away and let me get on with my work. What are you doing here, anyway?”
“Anton was signing a lease for me.” Nicoletta leaned against the desk, crossing her legs and making her skirt rise up her thighs. “I’m opening up a boutique.”
“Oh, really? And how many does that make it this year? Or this month?”
Nicoletta frowned.
“Don’t be mean.”
“You were putting your bare crotch on my lap! I think I’m entitled to.” Illya opened his door and stepped aside. “Now, get out of here.”
“Make me.”
The gleam in Nicoletta’s eyes said she was up for the challenge. Illya wasn’t about to put his hands on her unless it meant bodily throwing her out. But he didn’t have to. A shadow loomed in the hallway behind him. Illya didn’t have to turn around to see who it was. Nicoletta’s face said it all.
“Nicoletta,” Anton Romanov’s voice was barely above a growl, “out.”
Nicoletta’s smile snapped away. Pouting like a petulant child, she pushed off Illya’s desk and stalked towards the door. She glared at Illya and her brother before she left.
“And put your panties back on!” Anton shouted after her. “I’m not having you walk around with your ass naked.”
Chapter 3
Illya felt his face going red. Anton wouldn’t think he was up to something but it still looked awkward with Nicoletta in his office with half her clothes undone or not there at all. Anton turned to him and raised his eyebrows.
“Is she still trying to come on to you?”
Illya grimaced and glanced down at his trousers again.
“I’ll need to change my trousers.”
Anton shook his head. This was embarrassing. Then Anton nodded at his desk.
“Finish what you were doing and you can go. I think you’ve done enough for today.”
“I’ve only done about half of what I needed to do today,” Illya protested.
“But can you do it at home?”
Illya paused. Why was he arguing? Going home early was a rarity as Anton tended to work his people hard, including the man who made sure everything was in order and the IRS couldn’t sniff around anything suspicious. This was something he should grab with both hands.
“Yes.”
“Then you can go home. Email the work and do it there.” Anton gave him an amused look. “From the way you’ve been behaving the past hour, I think you haven’t got the right frame of mind for anything.”
Illya grimaced. He hadn’t realized he'd been that obvious. He'd had a meeting with Anton first thing and Anton hadn’t said a word.
“It was that obvious, was it?”
&nbs
p; “I’m afraid so.” Anton followed Illya into his office, folding his arms across his broad chest. Topping six-five, the sandy-haired man was an intimidating sight. “What’s going on in that brain of yours?”
“Just thinking.”
Illya began to gather his things. His boss preferred to keep business and pleasure separate. Illya had been very careful to do that. But evidently not today.
“Is it about a girl?”
Illya stopped. He stared at Anton.
“Why does it always have to be a girl?”
“Because we’re red-blooded males.”
“That might be you, but not me.”
Anton chuckled.
“I highly doubt it. So, is it a woman?”
“Since when have you become a gossip?”
“Stop stalling, Illya.”
Illya let out a heavy sigh. Anton wasn’t going to let it go. He sagged into his chair, rubbing at the bridge of his nose.
“My new neighbour. Blossom.”
“You’ve gotten acquainted with your neighbours already?”
“Just her. She helped Ivan and I move everything in. She’s a real hot lady. Classy, witty.” He found himself smiling. “And she can cook.”
“That’s always a plus.” Anton raised his eyebrows. “How come you haven’t bedded her yet?”
“I only met her yesterday.”
“That hasn’t stopped you before.”
Illya glowered.
“I think you’re getting me mixed up with Ivan.” He rested his head back against the chair. “She’s got an ex who keeps coming around and bothering her. He’s very possessive about her and Blossom's got enough to worry about without me adding to it.”
“It might take her mind off it.”
“What?”
Anton waggled his eyebrows. Illya groaned.
“Anton!”
“What? It works.”
Illya began to gather his papers into his backpack and took his flash drive out of the computer, switching it off.
“Fine, I’m going. I’ve done payroll already and the more important things are up to date.”
“Then go. Having my sister gyrating on your lap is probably enough to traumatise anyone.”
Illya exchanged a look with his boss. He wasn’t wrong about that.
*****
“So, he’s hotter than you anticipated?”
“He is.” Blossom sat back, twirling her pen in her fingers. “And he’s charming. Very charming.”
Jenny Benson giggled, tossing her braids over her shoulder.
“With a big cock to match, I’m sure.”
“Jenny!”
Blossom sat up, looking around them. They were in their office in the back, the door closed. Nobody could hear them, but Blossom was aware of where they were. Sex talk was not exactly the best topic of conversation in a women’s shelter. Even though it was just them, Blossom lowered her voice.
“Don’t say things like that in here.”
“What? Nobody can hear us.”
“And I don’t know about that.”
Jenny’s mouth dropped open.
“You didn’t take that chance to sleep with him?”
“No.” Blossom sat back again. “I wasn’t about to do that with someone I met hours before. That’s not me.”
Blossom had learned a lot from being in a relationship with Adrian. Not only would she take things slow, if there was anything to take slow, but she wouldn’t put herself out there. And after what had happened, she was very wary of anyone touching her. But when Illya touched her, she didn’t feel scared or dirty. She felt safe.
Was that a sign? Blossom had no idea. Her normal meter when it came to men was still being fixed.
Jenny pouted. Her best friend was a gossip when it came to Blossom’s life. But she was a loyal woman. Her loyalty had been there when Blossom ran to her for help. She had stuck with Blossom through everything. They still had interviews to go to but Jenny didn’t complain, she did whatever Blossom needed.
Blossom would be forever grateful. The six-foot beauty was worth her weight in gold and more.
“That’s such a shame.” Jenny stuck her bottom lip out. “I love those conversations.”
Blossom rolled her eyes.
“He’s my new neighbour. I can’t exactly give him a bad ride and then he hates living next door to me.”
“You call yourself a bad ride?” Jenny scoffed. “Blossom, don’t be hard on yourself.”
“You’ve never had sex with me. How would you know?”
“You know what I mean.” Jenny tapped the side of her head. “Adrian has screwed you up with regards to sex. He made you believe you were terrible in bed and that was one bad experience. You’re not going to traumatize your neighbour.”
“I should hope not,” Blossom grunted.
However, the thought of taking her neighbour to bed was enough to make her imagination go into overdrive. Blossom could feel her body tingling with heat, her pussy throbbing against the cushion of her chair. She coughed and shifted, crossing her legs. But that only made the throbbing worse.
“Anyway, the restraining order has been violated. I’ve called the police and they’re out looking for him now.”
“Good,” Jenny nodded approvingly. “You need some good things in your life. And a brief fuck with the neighbour might be a good thing.”
Blossom considered this. It wasn’t exactly best conduct to seduce your new neighbour into your bed. Blossom wasn’t even sure she knew how to do that anymore. But the idea of having sex with Illya Chekov, even knowing who he was, would be a nice distraction. However, Blossom wasn’t one to use a person for sex, there had to be something more to it. Illya might not see it the same way.
Being friends with the man might work. A sexual relationship might be off the table if that was all it was. Blossom was one of those people who couldn’t have a sexual relationship without feelings being involved. She had to be emotionally invested. Jenny might be able to do it that way but Blossom couldn’t.
She was startled out of her thoughts by shouting coming from the main lobby. Blossom stiffened, the hair on the back of her neck prickling. She recognized that voice. From Jenny’s groan, so did she.
“Oh, dear. You’ve got company.”
Blossom wasn’t looking forward to this. Why couldn’t those two get it into their heads that a restraining order was meant to keep them away and if they violated it they would be arrested? Neither Adrian nor his mother seemed to realize that trying to get Blossom to change her mind and drop the charges against Adrian was pointless. Louisa Rollins thought her son was the best thing since sliced bread and didn’t see that Blossom was the one with the bruises, with all the injuries. She'd even tried to turn it around onto Blossom and say it was her fault, only to be lambasted in court. Blossom had been lucky to add her to the restraining order.
She knew not to come here. And with the nervous women and children who frequented the place, this was not the place for a confrontation. Blossom stood and grabbed the taser all workers at the shelter were equipped with.
“Call the cops. Tell them about the RO.”
Jenny was already dialing as Blossom left the office. Two of her co-workers were in the lobby trying to get a tall, dark-haired woman to leave. She was shouting back at them. Blossom couldn’t quite understand what she was shouting but she got the gist. Then she spied a mother and two small children cowering at the far end of the lobby. They looked new.
Blossom felt the anger building. This was not the place. She hurried over and tapped one of her co-workers on the shoulder, pointing to the newcomers. Both of them exchanged looks and moved away. Louisa turned, her eyes lighting up when she saw Blossom.
“Blossom, dear! I was looking for you.”
“I noticed.” Blossom folded her arms, making sure Louisa could see the taser. She was not afraid to use it and her former mother-in-law knew that. “Get out of here, Louisa. You’re not meant to be here.”
“Please, Blossom,” Louisa pleaded, clutching onto the strap of her bag. “We need to talk.”
“No, we don’t. You know you’re not supposed to be here. You’re frightening the people who really need our help,” she added, pointedly looking at the newcomers who were being led away.
Louisa barely glanced at them. She was too focused on Blossom.
“But how am I supposed to speak to you?” she asked, stepping towards her. Blossom took a step back.
“You’re not supposed to speak to me at all. A restraining order means no contact.” Blossom’s hand tightened on the taser. “My co-worker is on the phone with the cops. Get out of here or it’ll be even worse.”
Louisa’s jaw tightened. She was making it clear that she wasn’t going to go so easily.
“This is all ridiculous. Can’t we just put the past behind us?”
Blossom was amazed her jaw didn’t hit the floor. Put the past behind them?
“Adrian raped me, Louisa. He put me in the hospital. Why would I want to go back to him after that? I’m not an idiot.”
“It was a misunderstanding.”
Blossom snorted.
“There was no misunderstanding when I said ‘no’ God knows how many times. And there will be no other misunderstandings.”
Blossom unfolded her arms, glancing over at the shelter's burly security guard. He often hung around in the shadows, not stepping in unless he was really needed. Such as when irate husbands who wanted their punching bags back came around. Or mother-in-laws who wouldn’t listen to reason.
“Get out of here.”
It was then that Louisa’s face changed. It was like a switch had been flipped. Blossom hadn’t seen it until someone threatened her darling son. And she'd seen it in the emergency room while she'd been looked at after the incident. Louisa had managed to find her and threaten her before finally getting carted out.
She didn’t want to see it again. Or the woman.
Louisa advanced on her.
“You never understood the value of family, did you, Blossom?” she sneered. “What with cutting all of them off.”
That was a sore point for Blossom. She had a toxic family and her mental health was better now that they were out of her life. Louisa knew this.
In Too Deep_BWWM Romance Page 3
