The Promise (Darkest Lies Trilogy Book 2) by Bethany-Kris (fiction book recommendations .txt) 📕

“He cut his hand, or his hand was cut?”

Even her choice of words were habitual. How long had this woman been the one saving grace in Karine’s life—and why did she still feel like an unknown piece to the puzzle to him? Masha kept her head down, refusing to reply or correct her words.

Roman figured—her choice. None of this was her fault. “Why don’t you go down to reception, and see if you can find more towels, some fresh sheets, whatever you need. If someone approaches about a noise complaint, or to ask questions, tell them to call through to the room for me.”

Masha looked almost relieved when she met his eyes again. “You’ll be okay here?” she asked.

It took a nod of his head for her to hurry away.

Roman hadn’t bothered to ask where Katina was, but frankly, he didn’t really need to.

• • •

Outside the bathroom attached to the master bedroom of the suite, Roman listened to the gentle slosh of water against the marble bathtub inside. He had a mind to leave her be, if only because he could sense she was safe, but he had a feeling that wasn’t how to best work with Katina.

He did knock lightly before opening the door, his only warning to his entrance. Steam rolled through the open doorway the second he stepped inside only to blink furiously to get the misty sting out of his eyes. He moved towards the bathtub where he found a pleased Katina submerged right up to her shoulders in water hot enough to turn her skin pink.

And God.

She was a sight.

Her especially pale skin was colored only by that heated flush, but her cheeks held an extra pinch of pink. Silky dark hair had pasted to her face and chest, making her eyes look big and watery. She stared up at him with those plump lips of hers parted slightly, like she might be ready for him to lean in and take a kiss. She would make the perfect picture of a dangerous, mythical creature emerging from a misty lake, capable of seducing and devouring her victim before they even understood what had happened.

The fact he’d noticed how tempting her mouth was proved he wasn’t immune to her charm.

He knew it was Katina, not Karine. He knew it from the dip in her brows, the keenness of her gaze; how the edges of her lips curled softly in a maybe-smile. The chill that ran down his spine while she watched him wasn’t entirely cold, but it still tingled with a thread of fear. It was in her eyes that he found it—how those orbs swept him up, and then down.

Everybody was prey.

“Oh, good, you’re here,” she remarked, rolling her eyes.

Katina wasn’t at all bothered by her nakedness, or the fact she was entirely on display for him under the hot water.

Though he wouldn’t ask, he couldn’t help but wonder about last night—even that morning. He’d had Karine, felt the way she shivered with delight when he’d buried himself so deep for her to take his load, then fell asleep with her in his arms only to wake up beside her. This was not the same woman. Did Katina have those memories? Had she experienced it at all?

He couldn’t be more in over his head.

“I heard about what happened earlier,” he noted, raising his brow as if to offer it however she wanted to take it. “Thought you might need someone to check on you—make sure you’re okay.”

Katina cocked her head to one side, the little knot in her brows furrowed deeply. “Why shouldn’t I be okay? I’m great.”

That smile grew on her face.

Sensual, and wicked.

Roman stepped in her direction to get a bit closer, and only hesitated when he saw her pulling a paring knife out of the bath water. She didn’t do it in a threatening way, but just held it up over the water where he could see it.

Like she intended for him to know she still had it. Apparently, nobody had been able to take the knife away from her, yet.

Roman eyed the knife, then Katina again. He wasn’t afraid of the weapon, and she wasn’t exactly threatening him with it, so he was fine to act like it didn’t really matter.

She gripped it tightly while she made the blade dance along the surface of the water, the small pot lights overhead catching the glint of the metal, and the waves of the steaming water to dance along the tile.

“You know, none of this would have happened if you had just been here like you said you would be,” she told him, her tone almost careless though every word had its own impact for Roman. Now, she wasn’t looking at him, as the knife in her hand had gained all of her attention.

“No, it probably wouldn’t have,” he agreed. “The first mistake they made was letting you go downstairs.”

Katina’s smile deepened into a smirk, her enjoyment of dissecting the scene of her own violent-making clear when she replied, “Well, they couldn’t have stopped me even if they wanted to. I wanted to eat at the restaurant.”

She turned to him with bliss-hooded eyes, and he only urged her on.

“And what did you do next? Did you ask for a knife to cut your fruit with?”

She breathed in deeply, and he made a careful effort to keep his gaze from wandering to where her breasts rose and fell, just beneath the surface of the water.

“I do like my fruit, and I like it sliced just so,” Katina said with a nod and a teasing smile while Roman shook his head.

It was the sound of his disappointment falling out in a sigh that seemed to bother Katina the most when she scowled suddenly. He didn’t think she actually cared about what he thought until that moment.

“That man shouldn’t have touched me,” she snapped.

“Maybe not, but he was also trying to keep you safe.”

Katina hissed a breath past clenched teeth. “You’re the