She liked that—and she didn’t. She knew he meant what he said. She was his woman, beloved at that. She didn’t question that. He was different with her than he was with any other, but she wasn’t a woman to rely on someone else. She was independent. She liked making her own decisions. Truthfully, she wasn’t certain how their relationship could work because clearly he was exactly what he was trying to get across to her: the man, a throwback to days gone by.

“I feel like we’re in negotiations.”

He shook his head. “Not that. We’re a done deal. We’re together.”

“We still have to find our way together. If you mean what you say, and I’m that important to you, then who I am has to be important. I’m that girl from the swamp without a family, without a parent, or anyone at all. I made my own rules. I can’t be anyone else, not even for you.”

He dragged a chair close to hers and sank into it, reaching for her hand. “I’m going to drive you crazy, but I’ll listen to what’s important to you and we’ll find a way to make it work. Timur and Gorya head the security team, and I won’t mind you making them a little crazy.”

She leaned back, liking the feel of his fingers curled around hers. “I won’t mind makin’ them crazy either, especially Timur. He’s not entirely sold on the idea of you keepin’ me.”

“He is now. You proved yourself when you leapt over that counter. He’s always suspicious of everything and everyone so it took a little while for him to warm up to the idea of having a sister-in-law.”

“I love my bakery.” She made it a statement.

He brought her fingers to his mouth and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “I know you do. We already have security set up. Timur has one or two ideas to tighten security. We have a cleaning crew to make it easier for you, and I would like you to hire a couple of people to help you. We can talk about that, but one or two would make your life easier. Business is picking up and you can afford it.”

She had thought to keep her business small because she wasn’t certain what kind of boss she’d make. She was very picky about how her bakery was run. Still, if she hired someone to help her, she could get more baking done and customers wouldn’t have to wait. He was nibbling on the tips of her fingers, his teeth scraping over the pads with exquisite gentleness, a sensual experience that sent heat curling through her veins and had her very core tightening with anticipation.