“Don’ say that.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I mean it, Fyodor. Don’ you ever even think that. I’m not some plastic doll. I want to hear about your life. Yes, it’s hard to hear, but you lived it, so I want to know everythin’.” She stopped abruptly, one hand pressed to her mouth. She’d blurted out the truth. Told him too much. Told herself too much. She shouldn’t want to know a single thing about him.

His expression hadn’t changed in the least. She was a hot mess and he was—frozen. She was so tired she wanted to collapse into a little heap on the floor. What she didn’t want to do was fall into bed with him. She was far too exhausted and upset to fight him. She’d lose control and have wild sex, and then she’d be tied to him in a way she’d never be able to get out of.

“Put your nightclothes on, malyutka, and get in bed.”

She shook her head. “I’m not ready for this.” Her body said otherwise, but her mind was in complete chaos. She just couldn’t. She was already so lost, so conflicted about him, and giving in to her body’s demands would humiliate her. That loss of control. She wanted the decision to be hers. She had to make the decision. Not her leopard. Not Alonzo. Her.

He caught her chin between his finger and thumb. “Did I sound as if I were asking?”

She jerked away. Her entire body was trembling and she couldn’t make it stop. She hated feeling so vulnerable. “You’re such a jerk.”

“Because I want you in bed? You’re frightened and that, at least, is something I can help you with. Now please do as I ask so I am not forced to terrify you before I make it all better.”

He strode out of the room and she heard him moving around to the doors. She listened so hard she even heard when he turned the dead bolt. Locking them both in. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to come to terms with her emotions that were clearly all over the place. She stood for a long time contemplating whether or not to try to make an escape through a window—and she was fairly certain she wouldn’t really get away with it. Mostly she didn’t try that option because she was too darned tired.

He’d come back and take her clothes off. She knew enough of him now that she was certain he’d do that and he wouldn’t say anything to her while he was stripping her. But he’d look and she’d get hotter than she already was. It just wasn’t an option. Very slowly she stripped off her clothes and pulled on her boy shorts and tank.