Chapter 2 Kateřina #2
“Let’s go into the last shop.” She pulls me to stand. I can feel my gaze wandering, searching for him in a foolish attempt to convince myself that I’m not crazy.
“Kate?ina? Are you okay?”
I don’t reply; I can barely hear her talking.
“Kate?ina!” she repeats, grabbing my wrist and shaking me back to reality.
“Yeah?”
“Is everything okay?”
My throat tightens; I’m sure I didn’t imagine it. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Do you want us to go home?” she asks, widening her dark, almond-shaped eyes.
I sigh and look down as though I’ve given up on finding him. “No, let’s go to the store.”
Something in me doesn’t let me relax and forget. I know he was there, but can he vanish in a blink of an eye?
As we step into the final store in the mall, Emily lets out an excited sigh. “I’m sure you will find something here!” She shoves me playfully.
A faint grin crosses my lips as my eyes rise to see the sight that took her breath away.
I can’t deny that she was right. The store’s right side is stocked with gowns, exquisite shoes, and sophisticated clothes for both formal and daily occasions.
The left half is designated for guys. It has everything a man could wear—gloves, hats, shirts, jeans, suits, and shoes of different kinds.
“This is heaven.” My eyes dart everywhere as my breath stutters.
“Let’s find the perfect dress for both of us!” Emily exclaims, jumping twice.
“I didn’t know you were searching for a dress too.” I cross my arms and raise my brow.
“You have a party to go to; I need to find a guy,” she quips, pulling me deeper into the store. “Come on!”
It’s impossible! How can I not find anything I like? Disappointment washes over me as the narrow fitting room seems to engulf me. What’s so wrong with me that nothing satisfies my needs? Why can’t I find anything that looks good?
After trying on nearly half the store, I do my best to ignore the persistent, judgmental glare of the saleswoman, pretending I don’t see it.
Emily starts getting upset and impatient; I can hear her heavy sighs behind the fitting room’s dusty pink curtain.
I take one last look in the mirror, examining the teal, girly dress that Emily and the saleswoman insisted would be a miracle for me.
I can’t understand how they thought it would ever suit me.
“This doesn’t look good.” I exhale, disappointed, instantly searching their eyes to confirm my doubts.
Without realizing it, I stumble upon someone and lose my balance, but he snatches me mid-air from my waist.
It’s him! Him again?! Where did he come from?
Breathless and terrified, I look into my savior’s eyes, and he looks back into mine. His eyes are a beautiful dark green, framed by long, dark brown lashes that make his gaze even more intense and captivating. For a few seconds, there’s absolute silence.
Emily and the saleswoman don’t speak; they gaze at the scenery without a sound. I can’t deny that I can’t stop looking into his eyes, studying his features. It’s like a scene from a fairy tale.
We’re close. So close that I can feel his gentle, shallow breaths brushing against my lips. He smells so good—like fresh wood, with a hint of spice and something warm. Maybe musk. Yes, yes, it must be musk—timeless, fresh, and elegant.
“Are you okay?” he asks. His voice sounds soft yet manly.
Without turning his eyes away from mine, he raises me effortlessly back to my feet as if I am a feather. Gosh, he is tall. He must be around 6’5”, and he seems strong but not too bulked. His chest is broad but toned to perfection.
“I’m fine.” I smile involuntarily, straightening my dress. He folds his hands behind his back, his eyes wandering across my face as if he’s studying me. A faint, mischievous smirk touches his medium-full lips, accentuating their natural curve.
Wow, he is even more handsome than I thought he was.
“I am Cain.” He extends his hand.
“Cain, huh? What an unusual name!” I smile like a fool, extending my own. He shakes it firmly.
“You think?”
“Yes, it’s beautiful.” I can feel my cheeks burning. Why am I blushing so much? His eyes fix on me as a sly smirk laces his lips once again. “Apologies! I’m Kate?ina.”
He brings the back of my hand to his lips.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Kate?ina,” he murmurs, his dark green eyes locking onto mine as his lips brush softly against my skin.
His eyes aren’t simply green; his right eye has a patch of gray.
His heterochromia creates the most captivating and unusual eyes I’ve ever seen.
“You’re such a gentleman,” I smile, curtsying playfully.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” he asks, brushing his perfectly trimmed brown stubble. It seems like his signature look, and damn, he knows exactly what makes him look good.
“No, I am from the Czech Republic.”
“Ah.” He raises his arched and bushy brows, returning his hands behind his back. “Je mi ctí tě poznat, Kate?ina.” He smiles, repeating what he told me a moment ago—that it’s an honor to meet me.
He knows Czech?!
“I am impressed!” I smile, widening my eyes, unable to hide my surprise and excitement. He chuckles, revealing his beautiful and bright smile. A touch of gray threads his temples, enough to suggest he is in his early thirties. Maybe.
Then, abruptly, his expression changes and becomes more solemn. His gaze sweeps over me, and his teeth sink into his lower lip. He takes one step, clutching my hand, and the space between us is reduced. What is he doing?
He leans in closer, causing my heart to race in excitement.
“One of those dresses over there would look breathtaking on a woman like you,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear.
His raspy voice feels like a spark on my skin.
“You radiate elegance, Kate?ina, and you should wear a dress that shows it.”
I am used to people telling me I’m beautiful or even praising me for my natural beauty. It’s something I’ve been blessed with, and I enjoy it. But his words hit differently.
Unable to tear my gaze away from his, he slowly moves back, his imposing gaze penetrating me and causing goosebumps all over my body.
And just like that, he walks away. All of us—me, Emily, and the saleswoman—watch him as he exits the store.
“What was that?” Emily shrieks in excitement, her dark brown eyes shining.
“Looks like she has a fan!” The saleswoman shoves Emily playfully.
A sudden rush washes over my cheeks, and I feel them blushing more than ever. What is it about this man?
“What do you say?” the saleswoman asks, approaching with a stunning black minidress in hand. It’s elegant, glistening under the store lights, with long, chic sleeves and a skintight fit that makes it sexy.
This is the dress Cain suggested for me.
“Will you try it on?”