Free Submit (The Underground Book 4) by Becca Jameson Page A

around. Where was Nikolav? She’d put him out of his own room and had completely forgotten about anything but her job.
    Also not unusual for her, but she’d never worked so focused in someone else’s bedroom in the late hours of the night while they politely let her take over their space.
    She padded from the room, opening the door carefully, hoping to avoid disturbing everyone in the apartment if they were sleeping.
    Instead she found the living room still lit up, Nikolav and another man sitting on the couch drinking a beer and watching some sports news channel.
    Nikolav glanced over his shoulder as she stepped into the room. “Hey. Did you finish?”
    “Yes. Thank you. So sorry.” She glanced at her watch. It was after two. And it would take her awhile to unwind.
    The other man stood and held out a hand. “Sergei,” he said as reached over the back of the couch.
    “Belinda Gallo. Nice to meet you. Sorry I’m such a nuisance.”
    Sergei grinned. “No worries. You’re fine.” He waved a hand through the air and resumed his seat. He was taller than Nikolav and looked nothing like him. His strawberry-blond hair and blue eyes were in sharp contrast to Nikolav’s dark hair and eyes. And where Nikolav had pale skin that would easily burn in the sun, Sergei’s skin was surprisingly dark considering his red hair.
    Nikolav lifted the remote to mute the television. “You must be exhausted.” He rose from the couch and rounded it to reach her side. “We’ll find a way to get some of your belongings over here tomorrow, but in the meantime, Alena left you a few things in the guest bath.” He took her hand and nearly dragged her from the room.
    She cringed as he mentioned her things as if he fully intended for her to stay in this apartment for the long haul. Wasn’t going to happen. “Nice to meet you,” she called over her shoulder toward Sergei. It was late, but she didn’t feel the urgency he obviously felt. Then again, he probably had to get up early. Dale wasn’t expecting Belinda at all tomorrow. She could sleep as late as she wanted and would contact him when she got around to it.
    Nikolav pointed toward the bathroom, angling her in that direction while he turned toward his bedroom.
    She slipped inside, trying to be as quiet as possible. After all, Alena and Ivan had to be asleep down the hall even if the rest of the apartment wasn’t. She smiled as she found a new toothbrush, makeup remover, and a towel sitting in a little pile on the vanity.
    It didn’t take her long to use the bathroom, and then she was once again standing at the doorway to Nikolav’s room.
    He didn’t hear her approach, and she found him leaning against the window staring out between the blinds.
    Damn he was built.
    She didn’t move an inch, taking in the way his muscles bulged down his back, tapering to his waist. His biceps were huge. She wouldn’t be able to wrap both hands around them.
    She licked her lips.
    It felt like she’d known him much longer than two days, which was ludicrous considering she’d spent the first day sick and sleeping and the second day at work and running for her life.
    But, Lord, he had her attention every time they were in the same room. Her palms were sweating as she watched the ripples run down his back. If the situation were different… If she wasn’t the sort of person she was… If she could actually throw caution to the wind and be reckless… Oh yeah. She would sleep with this sexy vampire in a heartbeat. Not a doubt.
    As if suddenly sensing her presence, he released the blinds and turned around. “Hey, didn’t hear you,” he whispered.
    She stepped inside, shaking lustful thoughts from her head to find her brain. “I don’t want to kick you out of your bed.” It was true. She felt horrible about that. However, she also didn’t see a solution. It was hardly reasonable for her to go sleep with Sergei on the couch. Although, the sectional was huge. If she had one end and he had the