“I don’t follow your orders, Kazimir. I’m a woman now.”
He pulled to his full height, his eyes growing wide from seeing me in the dress. Very slowly, he shook his head. “Go.”
“I’m not going. I had to see you one last time.” I dropped the bag, closing the door behind me. “You didn’t leave. I wasn’t certain. I think you were hopeful you’d see me. Weren’t you?” I could tell he’d left the building. For the first time, he wasn’t covered in dirt and sweat. “You look different. So handsome.”
“I showered in the bathhouse. You shouldn’t be here.” He had a difficult time looking at me.
I was getting to him.
Laughing, I realized the sound indicated how nervous I’d become around him. He was wearing the clothes I’d gotten for him, black trousers and a shirt that would allow him to fit in. I’d even managed to steal a pair of shoes from my father’s closet that he’d never miss. “I know this doesn’t mean anything, but you’re not going to send me away.”
“You look… amazing,” he managed, every muscle still tense. The moment between us was different and I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off his rising and falling chest. Yet I knew the moment he noticed the bruises. “Who did that to you?”
In two long strides, he was standing inches away, his entire face pinched in rage. “I’m fine.”
“Tell me. Now.”
When I shook my head and tried to look away, he gripped my chin, but where Marco’s touch had been disgusting, his was gentle, more than I’d thought possible for such a ruthless man.
“Tell me, little angel. Please.”
“Marco. He… It’s really okay.” Yet I shuddered just thinking about the words Marco had said.
“Did he…”
Every breath he took was raspy. I placed my hand against his chest. “No, he didn’t touch me that way. He just…”
“I will kill him.”
A little thrill tore through me. “No. It’s okay.”
“No man touches what…” He sucked in his breath, purposely looking away. “You need to go.”
“Not yet. I’ll leave when I am ready.” I was more insistent than before. “You look so handsome. So handsome.” He didn’t want to let the ugliness go. His magnificent eyes were filled with liquid venom. “It’s my birthday party. Please. Just… be with me.”
His deep breath continued to be labored. “Happy birthday, Rafaela.”
“Thank you.”
“Every woman deserves to be told her birthday is special.”
He’d called me a woman. A little giddy inside, I dropped the bag, horrified I’d chicken out. No. I refused. I’m come here with a purpose in mind and nothing was going to stop me. Including myself. Pulling away, I concentrated on what I was doing.
Kazimir didn’t try to stop me while I yanked out some flameless candles I’d brought and barely flinched when I pulled out a blanket.
“What are you doing?” Every syllable, every sound he made was laced with a dark, predatory growl.
When everything was set up, including the split of champagne, I returned to a standing position, more nervous than I’d been in my entire life. Even before I walked closer, I began to untie the sash on my dress, keeping my eyes locked on his. “Giving myself a gift.”
“Rafaela.”
“Ssshhh…” I answered in return. With the sash free, I slipped my hand under the material to unbutton the single fastenerholding the wraparound dress closed. Once freed, I licked my lips, fighting anxiety, but not because of what I was about to do. Because I was nervous about what he’d think seeing me this way.
His chest continued to rise and fall, every muscle in his body tense. As he narrowed his eyes, I noticed his nostrils flaring. When I placed my fingers on my shoulders, pushing the material down my arms, his jaw clenched tightly.
With the dress kicked to the side, I removed my shoes, finding more courage given the wild look in his eyes.
“Ty chertovski prekrasna.”
