Page 50 of Savage Truce

“Okay.” He shuts my door softly, and I hear the men's voices rumble as they speak Russian.

Smoothing my skirt out, I nervously begin to fidget.

Even though I still claim our special night at the theater as our first date, this is technically the first time I’m going out with a man, and it only adds to my anxiety.

The other doors open, and while Rodian gets in beside me, Andrei takes the front passenger seat and Sergei slides in behind the steering wheel.

“Ready?” Rodian asks, covering both my hands with one of his.

Nodding, I swallow hard.

He gives me a reassuring squeeze, then orders, “Let’s go.”

Just breathe, Anastasia.

CHAPTER 16

Rodian

Feeling how Anastasia is trembling and the tension coming from her, I keep holding her hands, softly brushing my thumb over her skin.

The ride is quiet as we head to where the yacht is moored for our cruise down the river, which will lead through central Moscow.

Trusting my men to be on high alert, I let my eyes drift over the beautiful woman beside me.

With none of the bruises visible and her weight returning, she almost looks the same as she did when I saw her in the workshop at the theater.

Finally getting to take her to dinner, anticipation floods my chest.

I lean over, and near her ear, I whisper, “Thank you for going out with me tonight.”

She turns her face, her eyes only meeting mine for a split second before she focuses on my shirt. The corner of her mouth lifts in a shy smile, then she admits, “This will be my first date, so if I mess up, please turn a blind eye.”

My head jerks back with surprise, and a stupid grin forms on my face. “Haven’t you dated before?”

She shakes her head and glances past me to look out the window. “No.” Her cheeks turn a light shade of pink. “You were the first man to ask me out.”

Does that mean…?

“Was I your first kiss?”

When she nods, I want to beat my chest like a caveman. Possessiveness coats every word as I say, “You’re all mine. Every one of your firsts will belong to me.”

A nervous squeak escapes her, the sound fucking cute, then her gaze lands on my face for a second before she stares down at our hands. “I don’t know how to respond to that.”

“You don’t have to.” Lifting my arm, I cup the back of her head and pull her closer so I can press a kiss to her forehead. “But try to relax a little. I want you to enjoy your first date.” To distract her, I ask, “What did you do in your workshop after I left?”

“Oh.” She lifts her face, a sparkle entering her eyes. “I moved a couple of things around and couldn’t resist getting started. Remember the dress I wore when we met?”

“How could I forget? It was fucking sexy.”

The shy smile returns to her face, and I fucking eat it up.

“I know the pattern off my heart because I really love it,” she says. “I started making one today. I think the white silk with pink roses will look pretty.”

I don’t think she realizes that she’s relaxing while talking about her passion.

“Anything you make will be a masterpiece.” I pull my fingers through her soft blond strands, loving the feel as they slide over my skin. “Just let Miss Zoya know if you need anything else.”