CHAPTER 3
Anastasia
I stop at the end of the hallway and glance back, stunned out of my mind that the attractive man from the audience would rather spend time with me than Sofia.
When Oliver brought him to my workshop, I did a double take, completely caught by surprise.
It doesn’t help that he’s even hotter up close. I’ve never felt so tongue-tied and drawn to a man in all my life. My fingers still tingle from when I got to touch him.
And God, does he smell good.
I couldn’t inhale enough of his rich, woody scent layered with spice, rugged masculinity, and a hint of danger.
Placing my hand over my stomach that’s doing cartwheel after cartwheel, I suck in a deep breath.
Irene’s laughter rips me out of the stupor I’m caught in, and I hurry to where everyone is enjoying the party.
Spotting a serving plate that’s already empty, I pick it up and grab a few mini sausage rolls, cocktail sandwiches, and crackers with some Brie. I load quite a few pigs in blankets because they’re my favorite, and the next second Sofia says, “Perfect choice of food for you.”
Ignoring the barb, I help myself to Cornish pasties, chicken skewers, and roasted salted cashew nuts.
Stopping at the drinks table, I tilt my head, not sure what to get my… unexpected guest.
He looks wealthy.
Not beer. Right?
I set down the serving plate and decide to pour him a tumbler of whiskey and also get a couple of bottles of water and two Cokes. He’s bound to like one of the drinks.
Taking my haul, I spare some of the staff a smile, and walking back to my workshop, I try to ignore the spinning in my stomach that’s intensifying with every step I take.
“Anastasia,” Sofia calls out.
I don’t stop walking, but instead, just glance over my shoulder.
Near my door, she snidely says, “Remember that hot guy in the audience you were staring at earlier?”
Crap. She’s speaking loud enough for said man to hear.
Before my lips can part to reply, she saunters closer, a smug smile plastered on her face.
“He has agreed to meet me after the party.” She looks me up and down as if I’m nothing more than a piece of shit stuck under her shoe.
“It must be so lonely for you, only having food to keep you company, but that’s okay, you can live vicariously through me.
I’ll tell you –” Suddenly she makes a choking sound, and her eyes go wide as saucers as she stares past me.
My head snaps forward, and seeing one hell of a dark expression on my hot guest’s face, I grip the serving plate tighter.
Oh my God! He heard everything.
Please let the ground open beneath me right now.
“You were saying?” the man practically growls at Sofia, and his blue eyes, which were intense but soft when he was talking to me earlier, now feel like sharp shards of glass that can cut a person to shreds with a single look.
“Sorry,” Sofia whispers before rushing away from us.
When his eyes flick to me, I instantly bristle, and before I know what I’m doing, I step backward.
Reaching for the serving plate, he takes it from me while the darkness drains from his features.
He moves to the side and tips his head toward the doorway, indicating for me to enter the room first. As I walk past him, his hand settles on my lower back, making my eyebrows fly up once more and my lips part because it feels like he’s being protective of me.
I’ve never been treated like this by anyone, never mind a man, and I don’t know how to handle it.
The warmth of his hand leaves my lower back, and I nervously watch as he sets the serving plate down on the table before he shuts the door.
“My name is Rodian, by the way.”
I’ve never heard the name before and find it as unique as the man himself.
Not knowing what else to do, I gesture at the food and drinks. “I hope it’s okay.”
Rodian’s eyes drift over my face, and as I walk to the rail and grab the nearest costume, he says, “Do you have to get back to work right away?”
I pause, my arm hanging in the air as I glance at the ridiculously attractive man.
With the play done, there’s no rush to get through all the repairs. It’s just a habit, and I’d much rather work than attend the party.
Hesitating for a moment, I hang the costume back on the rail before moving closer to Rodian. “No, work can wait.” A nervous energy fills my body, and I ask the first thing that comes to mind. “Did you enjoy the play?”
“I did.” He walks to the sewing table, and picking up my chair, he brings it closer. “Sit with me.”
I can’t believe this man wants to spend time with me.
Feeling incredibly flattered, I can’t stop a smile from spreading over my face.
When he notices, his rugged features soften while he picks up the tumbler of whiskey. “Do you like working here at the theater, Anastasia?”
Dear God. The way he says my name makes it sound so… so intimate.
The thought has heat spreading up my neck, and I quickly reach for one of the Cokes. Before I can pull the tab back, Rodian takes it from me and opens the can. The way his strong hands move makes an intense sensation stir in my abdomen.
“I don’t want you breaking a nail,” he explains while handing the soda back to me.
“Thank you.” I drink a couple of sips, then helping myself to one of the cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon, I add, “I recommend these. They’re really good.”
Rodian picks up one, and while we eat, his eyes remain locked on my face.
Bloody hell, this man is very intense.
After he takes another sip of his whiskey, he leans back in the chair and tilts his head to the side while saying, “You never answered me.”
“What?” My mind races, but I can’t remember what he asked.
“Do you enjoy working at the theater?”
Ohhh. Right.
“Yes.” I glance around the room. “I love it.”
“Why do you love it?”
“I get to create costumes.”
Setting the Coke down, I get up and walk to a cupboard. I carefully pull out the dress I’ve been working on during my spare time.
I want to look my best when I meet my grandfather so I can hold my head high no matter what happens.
I lift the hanger high and brush my free hand over the lilac-colored silk. “This is what I’m working on right now.”
Rodian rises to his full height, and coming closer, he takes hold of my hand and moves the dress to hang in front of me. When his gaze burns up and down my body, I begin to feel self-conscious.
Hating it, I lift my chin and shove the negative emotion away, then Rodian’s eyes collide with mine, and his tone sounds rougher when he says, “You will look beautiful in the dress.” He’s still holding my hand, and his thumb brushes over my skin, sending a wave of tingles rushing up my arm.
“Spend tonight with me and give me the chance to get to know you.”
Say what now?
My brain misfires, and for a long moment I stare at him before my ability to string a coherent sentence together returns. As I tilt my head back, it once again registers how tall and muscular he is.
When I take too long to respond, he says, “Please, Anastasia. I promise to behave. I just want to spend time with you.”
There’s only one answer. Anything else would be madness on my part. “Okay.”
A pleased smirk tugs at his lips, then he pulls back and slowly walks around the room, looking at the fabrics and threads. “How long have you worked at the theater?”
“Just over two years. I was lucky to get a job right after graduating.”
Rodian’s eyes snap to my face. “How old are you?”
“I’m turning twenty-one in two weeks.”
When his right eyebrow raises slightly, I can’t tell if it’s a good or bad thing.
“Would you have a problem dating someone older?”
It takes me way too long to realize he’s referring to himself. “How much older are we talking?” I ask while I hang the dress back in the cupboard.
“My birthday is in three months, so give or take twelve years.”
I spin around and gape at him. “You’re thirty-two?”
Slowly, Rodian moves closer, looking like a lion that’s prowling. “Is that a problem?”
When he stops inches from me, I have to tilt my head back.
“No, not really.” I clear my throat and nervously tuck some hair behind my ear. “A person’s personality matters more to me.”
“What qualities do you find most attractive?”
The way he looks at me feels like his eyes are actually caressing my face and he’s waiting with bated breath to hear my answer.
Like whatever I say is important.
It makes me look deeper than his attractive appearance, noticing how he’s one hundred percent focused on me.
I exhale slowly before saying, “Someone who’s thoughtful, dependable, respectful, confident…
” I don’t look away as I finish with, “and even though the person is very strong and direct, they can be gentle.” My tongue darts out to wet my lips, and feeling overwhelmed by his mere presence, I dart around him and walk back to the table to take a seat.
My voice sounds a little squeaky as I ask, “What matters most to you?”
“I have no patience for games or anything fake.”
I wonder if that’s why he didn’t like Sofia. He probably saw right through her.
Rodian comes to sit down again, and as he helps himself to a mini sausage roll, he adds, “I prefer someone who makes everything feel peaceful.”
He takes a bite, and while he chews, I find the way his jaw moves incredibly hot.
After swallowing the bite, he continues, “I like a person who notices the little things.” Picking up the tumbler, he takes a sip, then a tender expression settles on his face.
“Whenever I’m home, my cousin always sets my favorite mug ready by the coffee machine.
It’s such a small gesture telling me he thought of me. ”
As I listen to Rodian, a crush starts to form, and I just know by the time he decides to leave, I’ll be head over heels for him.