Volkan dropped her off at her door, insisting on walking her up to her apartment where he pulled her into his arms and bent down to bury his face against her neck. The sensations were exquisite, and she melted into him, her breaths coming out in quick gasps.

“I’m leaving,” he said.

“Okay,” she whispered.

“Yasmin, I’ve leaving the city.” He pulled back enough to look down at her, cupping the side of her face with his hand, his thumb brushing the edge of her lips. “My business here is done.”

“Oh.” A shaft of hurt burrowed its way into her heart.

But what right did she have to feel hurt? Of course he was leaving. He was staying at the hotel because he didn’t live in Toronto. He might like her, but he couldn’t stay just to see where their budding romance might go.

“I have to leave,” he said, regret in his voice. “I have business in Turkey.”

“Yes, of course.” She tried to pull away, but he refused to relinquish his hold.

“I’ll be back, Yasmin.” The way his words caressed her name eased the hurt. “You must trust me.”

She nodded.

“Say it.”

“I trust you,” she whispered.

The moment felt surreal. Like a step out of time. They were locked into each other while the world revolved around them. Was this love? She’d never felt anything like it before. They barely knew each other, but the way she felt for him was stronger than a passing crush. His leaving felt like he was tearing her heart in two. She shouldn’t feel this way so soon, but she did.

He nodded and released her, turning away. Before he could reach the stairwell, her apartment door opened and Marshall and Judd spilled into the hallway.

“Hey, Yaz,” Marshall said cheerfully, then grinned as he looked her up and down. “Looking good, babe.”

Volkan turned abruptly and in two steps was back by Yasmin’s side, sliding his arm around her waist. “Pardon me?” he said in a low voice that sent a chill up her back. “Say that again.”

“Uh…” Marshall took a quick step back, bumping into Judd. His expression would have been funny except for the lethal tension thrumming in the air. She didn’t know Volkan well enough to know what he would do, but she could feel the barely leashed violence vibrating through his body as he touched her. He stared at her roommates like he was going to tear them apart with his bare hands.

“It’s okay,” Yasmin said quickly, placing her hand lightly on his chest. “These are my roommates, Marshall and Judd.”

He narrowed his eyes. “These men are your roommates? You live with them?”

Oh god. Instead of defusing the situation, she seemed to have made it worse.

“Yes,” she said. “I have four roommates.”

“All men?” he growled, clearly angry.

She frowned. “Why does it matter?”