Free Sweetest Surrender by Katie Reus Page A

to take you right on the counter. You deserve better than that—but I’m not sorry I kissed you and I don’t want to be just friends.”
    Her eyes widened and for a moment, her expression softened. Just as quickly a spark of anger replaced it. She wore her emotions right out in the open. She was definitely pissed. But she gave him a tight smile. “The kiss was nice, but…I only want friendship from you.”
    She was lying. He could see it in her eyes. But he wasn’t sure why. “Why are you lying?”
    Angel gasped at his question, taking an annoyed step forward. “I’m not lying.”
    “Bullshit. You want more than friendship. I can see it when you look at me.” Now that he could see the truth in her gaze, he was desperate for her to admit it.
    “Aren’t you just full of yourself?” she asked, her voice quivering. What she probably meant to be cutting didn’t come across that way. She seemed nervous and damn it, that flicker of hurt bled back into her eyes. What the hell?
    Before he could answer, her cell phone rang. After shooting him another glare she dug her cell out then turned away from him as she answered. “Hello?”
    He sat back against the stool, feeling like a dick because he knew what the call was about. But he didn’t regret what he was doing. He had to get her the hell out of that place.
    “What? Wait…are you kidding me? What about all my stuff…Oh.” There was a long pause, then she sniffled. “I can come by and get my stuff today. Are you sure you don’t have…” Another pause. “Okay. Okay. Yeah, thanks.” She slipped the phone back into her purse and turned to face him.
    Tears glittered in her hazel eyes, the sight like a physical blow to his senses. “Angel…”
    She blinked them away. “It’s nothing. I just…can you take me home?”
    He rounded the island, coming to stand in front of her, not giving her a chance to put any distance between them, physical or otherwise. “No. Not until you tell me what’s going on. Who just called you?”
    To his horror she burst into tears. It was as if she’d been holding them at bay and a dam just broke. Fuck him. He was the biggest douche on the planet. Not caring that she was angry at him, he pulled her into his arms and to his relief, she went willingly.
    Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her face against his chest. Stroking a hand down her back, he savored the feel of her delicate form pressed so tightly against him—even while he felt like a jerk for being the cause of her tears. Not that it changed his determination to get her out of that place. A few tears would be worth it to have her somewhere safe.
    Still remaining in his embrace, she turned her head to the side so that her cheek lay against him. “My apartment flooded. I don’t have much there, just clothes, but…Mr. Botkin has no idea how long it will take to fix everything. He says the pipes won’t take long but he’s going to have to rip up the floors and…” Shaking her head, she stepped back, swiping at the stray tears as she avoided his gaze. “He doesn’t have any extra places, but said he’d try to find me a new apartment at another complex. He’s also going to refund this month’s rent, but still.”
    “Stay with me.”
    Her head snapped up, her eyes wide. Was she really that surprised by his offer? That cut almost as deep as her tears.
    “I can’t do that.” Her voice was watery as she wiped away the last of her tears.
    “Why not? Charlie adores you and I have the space. We work at the same place so there’s no issue with transportation.” As if to reiterate Vadim’s point, Charlie nudged her hand, whining softly before she darted through the doggie door.
    “Vadim…” She trailed off, biting her bottom lip, and he could see the wheels turning in her head. “If you really don’t mind, it’ll be just for a week. Maximum. It probably won’t even take that long to fix.” But she didn’t sound too sure.
    He grunted. “You can stay as