CHAPTER 4 #2
Suddenly, an alarm sounds from my phone, which is tucked into my handbag, and I gasp. “Oh, my God. Is it six o’clock?”
I get up to silence the device as Rodian says, “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
He rises to his feet, and after I tuck my phone back into my bag, I turn to face him as he comes to stand in front of me. “I should probably let you get some sleep.”
Nodding, I pull the strap of my bag over my shoulder. “Good idea.”
“Can I give you a ride home?”
Not ready for him to know where I live, I shake my head. “I like walking.” I give him a questioning look. “Are we still on for tonight?”
“Definitely.” He moves closer until I’m able to catch a faint whiff of his cologne.
God, I love how much bigger than me he is.
His blue eyes drift over my face, then he whispers, “You’re beautiful, Anastasia.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “It’s going to take some getting used to how direct you are.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Should I rather lie?”
Chuckling, I shake my head, but then I begin to feel shy and clear my throat. “That was nice of you to say. Thank you.”
“I’m just telling you what I see.” His voice sounds deeper as he narrows his eyes.
More nervous energy pours into my stomach as I ask, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m just thinking.”
It feels as if something very intimate weaves around us. “About?”
“Whether leaving is a mistake.”
Totally focused on him, I whisper, “Why would you say that?”
“I get the feeling if I leave, I won’t see you again.”
After spending the entire night talking to Rodian, the thought of never seeing him again makes an unexpected heaviness creep into my chest. “I’ll be outside the theater at seven p.m. sharp.”
His expression softens, and he takes another step closer, his voice even lower than before. “I’ll be here. Nothing on this planet will be able to keep me away.”
Holy crap. Everything he does and says is attractive.
When he lifts his hand and brushes his knuckles over my cheek, the gentle touch steals the air from my lungs, and the way he looks at me makes anticipation pour through every inch of my body.
His hand slips around the back of my neck as he leans down, and I’m glued to the spot, barely breathing, until his mouth softly presses against mine.
Dear Lord.
So many things happen all at once that I’m completely overwhelmed.
I feel the scratch of his bristles against my skin and the firmness of his lips.
My abdomen clenches unbelievably hard, my stomach dips and soars, and my heart slams wildly against my ribs while my palms grow sweaty.
Rodian lifts his head barely an inch, and his eyes take mine captive. As I raise my hands to place them on his biceps, his expression tenses until he looks downright predatory. “I want to get to know everything about you, Anastasia.”
“We only have a week,” I whisper.
“Not if I can help it.” His arm wraps around my lower back, and as he tugs me against his chest, almost lifting me off my feet, his mouth crashes into mine.
Holy shit!
His tongue pushes past my lips, and because I’m stupidly inexperienced, all I can do is let him have his way while I enjoy every second.
Rodian kisses me with such passion it makes me feel lightheaded and completely under his control. His tongue sweeps urgently through my mouth as if he’s desperate to taste every inch.
My fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt, and when his lips knead mine hungrily, tingles crash through me and goose bumps form on my skin.
His arm tightens even more around me, making my feet leave the floor, and just as it registers that he’s incredibly strong, he groans, the sound stopping all my brain activity.
Time does not exist as Rodian gives me the first kiss I’ve ever had, and when he slows down and sensually nips at my mouth, I struggle to remember my name.
When he pulls back and sets me down on my feet, I sway into him while opening my eyes.
He stares at me for a moment, then suddenly moves toward the door, saying, “I better go before I forget my manners.”
My cheeks are warm as I follow him out of my workshop, and we’re quiet all the way to the front of the theater. I unlock the door, and after we step outside, Rodian waits for me to lock it again.
“Are you sure about walking home?” he asks as we near a white Mercedes that’s standing in the otherwise empty parking area.
“Yes,” I reply. “Maybe after dinner tonight, I’ll let you drop me off at my place.”
I might even invite him up for coffee so we can make out.
God, that would be amazing.
He takes a deep breath and glances at the car, the relaxed demeanor he had in my workshop gone. “I don’t like the idea of you walking alone, but I’ll respect your boundaries.” His eyes meet mine again, then he adds, “For today.”
A smile spreads over my face. “Only for today?”
He shrugs. “Tomorrow is negotiable. I might feel like corrupting you.”
Laughter bursts from me, and meaning every word, I say, “Thank you, Rodian. I really enjoyed our time together.”
Lifting his hand, he tucks some of my hair behind my ear before suddenly hauling me into a tight hug. I feel completely engulfed by him, and the hoarse tone of his voice makes another wave of goose bumps erupt over my skin. “Please be here at seven.”
“I will.”
He holds me for a little longer, then presses a kiss to my temple. Letting go of me, he takes a long look before turning around and walking to his car.
I watch as he unlocks the door, and letting out a happy sigh, I head across a narrow patch of grass and walk away from the theater.
Hearing the car’s engine, I glance over my shoulder, hoping to steal another glance at Rodian.
The Mercedes stops beside me, and when he gets out again, happy laughter bursts from me.
A hot grin tugs at his lips as he stalks toward me, the sight making the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. As he leans down to kiss me right there on the sidewalk, I lift onto my tiptoes and can’t resist touching his jaw, trailing my fingers over the short bristles.
The kiss doesn’t last as long as I’d like, but before he breaks it, his teeth nip at my bottom lip, and I almost moan like a hussy.
Pulling away, he mutters, “I’m going to count down the seconds until I get to see you again.”
Still smiling, I say, “Bye, Rodian.”
He watches me walk away, and when I reach the corner and glance back, he’s still standing where I left him. I lift my arm and wave, and after he returns the gesture, I turn left into my street.
It feels as if I’m floating on cloud nine, and I replay the entire night in my mind, grinning from ear to ear.
Is it possible to fall in love so quickly?
I’m totally claiming it as a first date because I don’t think any other date will ever beat it.
Reaching the building where my place is, I notice three black SUVs, and as apprehension tenses my body, the doors open and men get out, followed by a woman I don’t recognize.
“Come, Anastasia,” she says, and only then do I realize who she is.
Mother.
No. It’s too soon!
Shocked, I say, “I was supposed to have another two weeks.”
“I’ve been waiting almost ten minutes for you. Give Kirill the keys to your apartment so the men can pack your clothes.”
A man with a scary blank expression on his face walks toward me and holds out his hand.
When I don’t do as I’m told, Mother gives me an impatient look. “Give him the keys and get in the car! We have a flight to catch.”
I glance over my shoulder, wishing I had Rodian’s phone number so I could let him know I won’t be able to make it tonight.
Dammit. I was really looking forward to having dinner with him.
“Anastasia!” Mother snaps angrily. “Get your fat ass in the fucking car right this instant. I don’t have time for this shit.”
My head snaps back to her, and gathering every ounce of courage I possess, I say, “No. I have two more weeks. I have to hand in my notice at the theater and–”
“Kirill,” she barks, and the next second the man grabs my arm in a brutal hold while ripping my handbag away from me. I gasp as he drags me toward the SUV where another man opens the back door, and I’m shoved so hard onto the seat that my shins slam into the bottom metal panels.
Stunned out of my mind from being manhandled, I barely have time to pull my feet into the SUV before the door is slammed shut.
Realizing this is it and my time in the UK has come to an abrupt end, my heart cracks right down the middle.
I try the handle, but the door doesn’t budge. Mother climbs in beside me, and when I look at her, her hand flies through the air and connects with my cheek, the slap rattling me even more.
While two men get into the front, she practically growls at me as she says, “You will obey me without any arguments. It’s time to return to Russia.
” Her eyes lower to my body, and the anger on her face intensifies.
“Your grandfather is going to be very displeased with how fat you are. I told you to lose weight!”
Even though my chest is filled with an array of chaotic emotions, anger triumphs them all. “Don’t ever raise your hand at me again, and my body is mine to do with what I want.” Courage pours into my chest, and I demand, “Unlock the doors! I am staying the full two weeks. I have obligations –”
A weird expression ripples over Mother’s face, then she tilts her head and hisses, “Danil. Seems we’ll have to go with plan B.”
The man in the passenger seat gets out of the SUV again, and when he opens my door and reaches for me, I begin to slap his hands and arms wildly. He manages to grab hold of me, and only when I feel a prick do I realize Mother has injected me with something.
“No!” I gasp, giving her a horrified look.
“You’re giving me a headache. I’ll deal with you in Moscow,” she says as she gets comfortable in the seat while my vision begins to blur.
I turn my head toward the door as Danil shuts it, then my mind feels horribly woozy, and everything wobbles before I pass out.