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Sylvia moved and sat on the sofa next to her friend’s hip.
“You know that we’re both Russian, and that’s the problem. Our families used to be friends and something happened a long time ago that made my otets, father, spread hate for Yuri’s family throughout ours. I grew up knowing that hell would come down on me if I had anything to do with their family. He’d be so angry if he knew that I was working for Yuri, but my father’s reaction to anything else happening between Yuri and I is unthinkable.” Talya wiped at a loose tear running down her face.
That was the most she’d told Sylvia about her family, or even Yuri. It left Sylvia at a loss for words. Sylva had heard the words muttered in whispered conversation about Yuri and his family, but after she’d met him, she thought that’s all it had been—talk—but maybe not.
“I’m sorry, Talya. I had no idea.” Her words sounded so lame even to her own ears.
“I hadn’t told you so how could you have known? It’s okay really. Most days I manage, but recently, we’ve seen each other a lot more than normal and it’s getting to me.” She sighed. “I’ll be okay.”
“If it’s any consolation, I’m ninety-nine percent sure that Yuri feels the same for you.”
“I know he does. I might not feel as wretched if I thought he didn’t like me, but knowing that he cares about me as much as I do him hurts when we can’t be together.” Talya shook her head and pulled her legs up to her chin as she curved her arms around them. “Tell me about Eric, please.”
Sylvia knew her friend was ready for the subject to be changed so she allowed it. She wanted to talk to her more about her problems, but Sylvia could see just how much talk of Yuri had upset Talya. “I’m not sure what, if anything, is happening with Eric. I had an amazing night with him, but I don’t think he’s looking for anything permanent,” she admitted. “He did seem jealous and possessive when he questioned me about working at Poles.” With a heavy sigh, she snuggled down into the sofa, and told her friend, “I want to think that he’ll be back to see me, but I really have no idea. I’m not even sure that I want him to because he’ll only hurt me in the end.”
“But what if he doesn’t, Sylvia. I’ve only seen him the once, that night at Kenza. He sure as hell was hot for you, and it obviously hasn’t dimmed in the months since. I’d say to give him a chance if he shows up because you might live to regret it if you don’t.” Talya shuffled from the sofa into the kitchen with her Minion slippers on her feet.
Sylvia smiled as she watched her go, and sighed. She knew without a doubt, if Eric showed up, she’d go out with him again, or just back to his apartment for more hot sex.
* * * * *
Sylvia groaned as she walked out of the building to the bright sky outside. The weekend had flown by and the work week had quickly gotten underway. As predicted, she’d been slightly late for work and had to forgo her morning Starbucks. But after her grumpy mood all morning, Sebastian McKenzie had sent her out for a break, and he’d stipulated for her not to return until she had caffeine in her system.
Which was why she walked across the square to the Starbucks. The Lexington summer had been hot, but as they were getting toward the end of October, she found the temperatures to be more comfortable. It was still warm but the cool autumn mornings and evenings made her ready for pumpkins and hayrides. She could tell from the crispness in the air that they’d be getting snow soon, which she looked forward to. She loved the first snow of the season and being out in the fresh weather.
She smiled as she stared down at the fair skin on her arms…even in winter; she had to make a morning ritual of slathering on factor 50+ sunblock. That’s what happened when you are gifted with pal
e blonde hair, and fair skin. The freckles that she used to be teased about at school were always more prominent during the summer months, as well. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about that, even after all these years.
She pushed the thoughts away as she approached her favorite coffee house chain. The store had called her name all the way to her office on the fifteenth floor since she walked in the door.
Pushing through the door, she closed her eyes and inhaled. A sigh of pleasure escaped her lips. Home.
“That’s a pretty sigh.”
Her eyes snapped open.
“What are you doing here?” she stumbled over her words, surprised to see Eric standing just inside the door.
He was a handsome man, and he made her heart beat rapidly in her chest with a nervous kind of excitement. Dressed in navy blue slacks and pale blue shirt with his tie already pulled loose, and his sleeves rolled up, he looked extremely sexy. Knowing what he hid beneath his clothes made her mouth water.
“The same as you,” he replied as a frown marred his brow.
She stared blankly.
“To buy coffee,” he clarified, his lips twitched at the corners as he waved his large cup filled with coffee in front of her nose.
“Oh, um. Okay.” She avoided his searching gaze and knew that her embarrassment would be clear for him to see with the blush she felt creeping up her neck. “I’ll see you around.” She tried to pass but he stepped into her path.
“Trying to get rid of me?” He cocked a brow. “I’m going to start thinking you no longer like me, although I recall making you scream as you came.”
The blush darkened her skin even more at his blatant reference to their one night together. She decided to ignore him, and answered sharply, “I haven’t got all day.” She moved toward the line, and looked up at the menu board. Every day she would glance at the menu but then she would order a Latte or Frappuccino.
“Have you got five minutes to sit with me?” Eric whispered the question against her ear, causing goose bumps to break out along her arms as she jumped in surprise. His lips tickled against her neck before she turned to face him, and found him close. Their lips would meet if she drew in a breath.
“I don’t—” she started to refuse, still unsure as to what she wanted to do with Eric.
“Please, Sylvia. Five minutes.”
