Chapter 15 Sera #2
“Everything okay?” he murmurs.
“Yeah, just a weird feeling.” I frown. “Probably nothing.”
“Instincts keep you alive.”
“Didn’t feel like fans or paparazzi. It felt… different.”
He studies my eyes for a moment, then turns to face the doors, posture shifting as his attention extends back into the lobby we’ve just left. He doesn’t dismiss me or try to tell me I’m being paranoid or jumpy because it’s my first job—the things my rational mind is chiming in with.
His faith in me matters more than he probably realizes. Probably more than it should.
Reaching the suite, Keke disappears into her room immediately to freshen up while Dani claims a section of the room in front of the large windows and starts setting up her makeup station with practiced efficiency.
Marco checks his phone and announces that the hairstylist will be here shortly before popping open a bottle of champagne and disappearing into the bedroom with a flute for Keke.
Liev crosses to the bar, grabs two bottles of water, and hands one to me.
“Thanks.”
“We need to come up with some way for you to signal me the next time you get a feeling. Something that won’t alert the others, but so I know to be watching, too. Two sets of eyes are better than one.”
“You didn’t see anything?” I hate that I’m doubting myself.
A warm hand closes over my fingers, and only then do I realize I’m picking at my cuticle again. “I didn’t, but you did. That’s enough.”
The words settle into me, solid and reassuring.
There’s a knock at the door, and when Liev goes to answer it, I catch Dani giving me a knowing smile.
Shit. She must have seen Liev holding my hand, which, while not exactly intimate, most likely isn’t standard professional behavior.
While Liev checks the hairdresser’s ID and does a quick look through her bags, I wander closer to the makeup artist wondering if I should do damage control.
I’m grateful Liev’s focused on what he’s doing when Dani glances at me. “I can show you some tricks if you like,” she says lightly, gesturing toward my neck.
My hand comes up instinctively, fingers brushing the faint ridges of my scars. I’d evened out the coloring with makeup early this morning, but I know it’s probably worn off by now. I feel heat creep up my neck, and I stiffen.
Seeing my reaction, Dani flushes and immediately backpedals, realizing her misstep. “I didn’t mean anything by it. They’re not even that bad. I just noticed you tried to cover them and—”
I take a slow breath, the way my therapist drilled into me.
“Take a beat before you react.”
“Thank you,” I say evenly. “Maybe when it’s not so busy.”
She nods, relief clear on her face. “Of course.”
Keke swans out of her room in a silk robe. “Marco, did my gown arrive yet?”
“Any minute,” he says.
She claps her hands. “Perfect. Are you ready for me?”
The hairstylist introduces herself to Keke and Dani as she sets her bags down next to the director’s chair Dani has set up. She pulls out her tools while she asks about the look for the night. Dani fills her in.
The plan is an intricate updo, designed to keep Keke’s hair off her neck and ears so nothing competes with the jewels.
The makeup will be intentionally simple, with minimal color to not distract from the rubies’ deep hue.
The dress arrives mid-conversation. Marco intercepts the delivery and carries it straight into the bedroom, muttering about all the wrinkles he needs to steam.
I watch all of it in fascination.
Liev surveys the room. “While you’re working, Ms. Worthington and I are going to confer in the bedroom about tonight’s logistics.”
“You can talk here. I was hoping we could get to know each other,” Keke coos with a flirtatious smile. She waves a hand toward the large sectional. “Hair and makeup are so boring.”
Dani and the stylist exchange a look over her head.
“We don’t want to bore you with technical talk,” Liev says smoothly.
Keke pouts. “How long is this going to take?”
Dani glances at the hairstylist, then back at her. “From this to you fully dressed? I’d say an hour and a half to two hours.”
“Great,” Liev says. “Ms. Worthington?”
He doesn’t wait for my reply, heading for the room Dani has claimed. I close the door until it’s just cracked behind me. It gives us some privacy, but we can still hear if we are needed in the outer room.
“I just needed a break from the chatter. Figured you might, too.”
I don’t argue. I cross the room and sink onto the edge of the bed, then let myself fall back until I’m staring at the ceiling. “I’m not used to being on my feet all day,” I admit. “I forgot how exhausting it is.”
“You get used to it,” he says, then the mattress dips as he lies down beside me.
He keeps his distance, our bodies not touching, our feet still on the floor, as we gaze up at the ceiling instead.
Maybe it should feel awkward, but it doesn’t, and my shoulders loosen a little as I let my weight sink into the luxury bedding.
For a few minutes we just lie there, listening to the sounds outside the door. Keke’s voice floats through clearly enough to make out her complaint about the champagne, followed by laughter. Dani comments on how nice the hotel is.
“Can you believe they even decorate the ceilings in this place?” I trace the carved details above us with my eyes.
Liev doesn’t answer, but I can feel his attention shift. He turns his head, and even without looking, I know his eyes are on me. My stomach tightens, sensing what he’s going to say and dreading it.
“What did Dani say to you?”
“What?” I say too quickly. “When?”
“You know when,” he says quietly. “You turned red.” He pokes me in my side playfully. “Usually, you only blush for me.”
“You wish,” I shoot back, hoping it will distract him.
It doesn’t.
The air thickens, subtly but undeniably.
“Tell me,” he demands.
I exhale and stare harder at the ceiling. “She was offering to teach me how to cover up my scars better.” There’s no point in trying to dodge the question, but I hope by saying it so baldly he’ll let it go.
“I hope you told her no.”
The edge in his voice makes my jaw clench. “I’m working,” I say. “I’m not paying for a makeup artist.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
His fingers trace down my jaw, slow and deliberate, like he’s memorizing the shape of my face. “I hope you told her no,” he continues, “because you don’t need to cover them.” His thumb brushes my skin, almost reverently. “They show your strength. And I think they make you even more beautiful.”
My throat tightens. I shiver, eyes closing for just a second, wanting—needing—to believe him.
His lips press gently against the side of my jaw.
My body jackknifes upright.
“We’re working,” I say, breathless. “We can’t do this here.”
Liev sits up slowly, facing me now, his eyes dark and heated. “I know.”
He holds my gaze for a long moment, then lets the tension ease from his shoulders.
“I won’t push you,” he adds, voice steady. “However, don’t mistake my patience for hesitation or disinterest.” A corner of his mouth lifts. “This isn’t the moment. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be one… soon.”
Heat rolls over me in a wave, and I hope I don’t look as flushed as I feel. I have to get away from him before I do something stupid.
“Better get back,” I strangle out, and lunge for the door.
The door clicks shut behind me, and I take half a second to steady my breathing before I cross the living area. Dani is perched on a stool near the windows, and the hairstylist is standing behind Keke, fingers working through long blonde sections.
I drop onto the far end of the sectional and glance at my phone. The battery flashes 18% so I flip open my laptop and plug it in. I pretend to fiddle with it as a shield. I feel the second Keke’s attention slides to me.
“So.” She tilts her chin down as the stylist lifts another section of hair. “Are you two fucking?”
The question has the same effect as a dropped glass in the room. Everyone except Keke freezes and then looks around to figure out who she is talking to.
“You and the Russian god.” The hairstylist’s hand stops moving, and Keke breaks her stare down of me to look up irritated. “Why did you stop?”
“Sorry,” the woman mutters.
Dani doesn’t seem as shocked, but at this point I would imagine she’s used to Keke. I wonder if she told Keke what she saw.
My eyes return to the laptop, but I can still see her on the edges of my vision. “No.”
She studies me for a second, and then she smiles. “But you want to, right? It’s written all over you,” she continues. “That tight little thing you do with your jaw every time I talk to him.”
The other two women’s eyes flick to me now, curious.
You’re welcome for the entertainment.
Ugh, this not reacting thing is harder than I thought.
A malicious light enters Keke’s gaze, and I brace for whatever is coming next. In the short time I’ve known the woman, I can guarantee something offensive is about to come out of her mouth.
“Is he married?”
“You’ll have to ask him.”
“I will.” She waves her empty champagne flute in the air, and Marco rushes over to refill it. Keke takes a sip. “Not that I care much either way.” Her eyes narrow when I don’t give her a reaction.
A few blessed minutes of silence pass before she starts up again. “I don’t blame you, by the way. I want to fuck him, too.”
I inhale a deep breath through my nose and bite my tongue hard.
Keke shifts, crossing one leg over the other. The movement is slow and deliberate, causing her silk robe to slide apart and up her thigh. “I’ll fuck you, too. If you’re interested.”
I raise my face to look her in the eye, keeping a bored expression on my face. “No thanks.”
“Didn’t think so. You don’t look like you’re much fun.”
I glare at the closed door. What is Liev doing in there? Why am I having to suffer this bitch alone?
“You ladies get it,” the model says, including the other two women in the conversation. “The Russian’s got that big-dick daddy energy. Like he’d bend you over the nearest surface and fuck you into oblivion without even breathing hard.”
The hairstylist coughs. Dani bites her lip.
My heart is racing. I’m not sure if it’s anger at what Keke is saying, or the idea of Liev doing just that… with me.
Keke angles her head and looks at her reflection when the hairstylist holds up a hand mirror, before giving the woman a nod. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to distract Keke. “I think I will,” she muses. “Fuck him, I mean.”
I lift my gaze then and meet hers with a hard stare. “Unfortunately, that’s against company policy.”
“Only if someone finds out.” Her smile sharpens. “You wouldn’t tattle on us, would you?”
My stomach twists. “It’s my brother’s company,” I say flatly.
For a moment, something like calculation flickers across her face. Then she sighs and slumps back with theatrical disappointment. “You really are no fun.”
I don’t respond.
“Well,” she continues, brightening immediately, “I guess I’ll just have to torture him instead.”
I stiffen.
“I need something to keep me entertained.” She smiles sweetly at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “You’re not interested. But he is a man.” She glances toward the bedroom door. “And from what I’ve seen, very male. They’re always interested.”
The door opens behind her, and Liev steps out, jacket off now, sleeves rolled. He pauses just inside the room, eyes taking everything in. “Everything good out here?”
Did he hear everything she said? He had to have. The doors aren’t that thick, and Keke definitely wasn’t keeping her voice down.
And he left me to deal with it.
“Perfect. Do you have the room?” I give him a brittle smile. “I need to freshen up before we leave.”
Liev’s eyes hold mine for a beat, and he nods slowly. Without another word, I snap the laptop closed and get to my feet. But instead of grabbing my toiletry bag and heading for one of the bedrooms, I open the exterior door and let it slam behind me.