Chapter Three
Katyuna Morozov.
He was both intrigued and alarmed at how a woman so young had ended up in the lifestyle she seemingly led.
Was she a prisoner of some sort? A modern slave?
What had brought her here and caused her to commit to a life of crime?
He had questions that needed answering that went further than having his things stolen.
He observed her as she hurried out of the club.
She was all sensual curves. Dirty blonde hair pulled into a tight ponytail and the greenest eyes he’d ever stared into with the darkest lashes ever.
There was something enticing about her and he honestly wasn’t surprised he’d ended up in her clutches the previous night.
No sane man would be able to say no to her.
However, now that he knew who she was, he had to find out more, he had to dig deeper and discover what lay beneath her flesh and why she was running off. Finding her had become more than personal. If she was in some kind of trouble, he had to help.
No better time than the present. She might have thought she was getting away, but there was no escaping him.
He stood and followed her from a distance.
She seemed confident as she didn’t turn or glance back once.
He frowned. Did she know he was after her?
Suddenly, she picked up her pace and turned a corner.
He hurried after. When he reached the alley, he cursed.
The place was lined with trash and broken crates.
A tangle of rusty fire escapes hugged the brick buildings.
The flickering streetlight in the corner where he’d turned barely illuminated the full alleyway, leaving most of it in somber darkness.
He glanced around. She couldn’t have gone far. The alley had no exit. Katya had to have gone into one of the buildings, but which one? He tried the first door, but it was locked. He went to the next one, where heavy padlocks hung from the dented metal.
“Fuck,” he cursed. He looked upward. Could she have jumped onto the stairs?
“An elephant in a china shop would be quieter than you.” Her voice came from above, but he couldn’t spot her.
“I thought you were running from me.” He spun in a circle, looking for her.
“I was, but I decided to face my enemy.” She appeared at the end of the street, next to the lamp.
The light shone on her as if it were a halo, casting abstract shadows on the pavement.
Her hair shimmered with every subtle movement of her head.
“I just didn’t want to cause a scene at the club. I like it there.”
“How kind of you.”
He took a step in her direction. She lifted her palm, warding him off.
“Stay away from me,” she said.
“Is that why you’ve brought me to this alley? To tell me to stay away?”
She nodded. “It’s quiet in this area.”
“Are you going to hurt me?” He chuckled.
“I won’t, but I know some powerful people.”
“Did you know I could arrest you for threatening a police officer?” He paused. “And stealing from him.”
Her eyes widened. She took a step into the shadows, away from the lamp.
“You can try,” she muttered.
“Are you in trouble?” he blurted. “Let me help you.” He took a few steps in her direction, grateful she didn’t make a move to run.
“Save it, I’ve heard it all before. That’s how I got into this mess in the first place.”
“What do you mean?”
She scowled.
“I’m not about to tell you.”
“Yet you were okay with kissing me and stealing my things the other night.” He took a few more steps in her direction.
She didn’t move and he hurriedly closed the space between them.
She glanced up at him, her gaze pleading with him to leave her and at the same time beckoning him closer.
His gaze dipped to her lips. Adam could almost taste her.
“You can’t help me,” she whispered, her tone sensual.
His cock twitched. Without thinking about what he was doing, he cupped her face.
Her green eyes widened, apprehension and craving clashing.
He brushed his thumb across her jaw, reveling in the softness of her flesh.
He didn’t give her a chance to question anything else.
Lowering his mouth to hers, he possessed it.
At forty-seven he finally understood when people said kissing someone brought fireworks to their mind.
He’d never felt anything remotely similar with his ex-wife.
This kiss was different. It was as if another world had opened up.
Katya offered colors, taste, and sensations he’d never felt.
She whimpered, pulling him closer and entwining her tongue with his as if she too couldn’t have enough. Suddenly, she pushed him.
“Stop,” she cried.
He backed off immediately.
“I’m sorry, Katya. I didn’t mean to. I truly want to help you. I—”
She shook her head.
“Save it.” She turned toward the darkness of the alley. “Don’t follow me.” Without another word, she sprinted away into the gloom. Adam staggered backward as a large tiger jumped onto the frail fire staircase with a clang and climbed upward, disappearing in seconds.
He stared in silence. Too stunned to move.