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“I think that I need to go,” I say as I slide off of the bed.
Gathering my clothes, I dress quickly in silence. Once I’m completely covered, I grab my purse and hitch it over my shoulder as I look back at him. He hasn’t moved, he’s still frozen sitting on the side of the bed.
“I think that I won’t be back, Ruslan. I can’t keep doing this.”
Finally, I get a reaction from him. “Yeah?” he asks.
“Rostam has already found out about us. The other wives have tried to insinuate that I’m doing something wrong when I leave for hours at a time to see you. It’s only a matter of time before Azar finds out.”
“What happens when he does?” he asks.
I don’t know what this is about. I had hopes after Rostam met with me, hopes after he met with Ruslan and talked to him. Hopes when I walked in here that my life would somehow change, but judging by the way he’s acting, I don’t think that it will.
“Nothing good,” I whisper.
He hums but doesn’t respond. It’s time for me to go. Taking a step toward him, I close the distance between us, and I look into his eyes, lifting my hand to cup his cheek. Sliding my tongue along my bottom lip, I suck in a breath before I speak.
“I fell for you,” I admit, hating myself for actually saying it out loud. “I fell for you, and I hate myself, because I got a taste of what being truly desired feels like. I got a taste of what it could feel like to be with someone of my choosing. Someone I wanted. I got a taste of something that isn’t mine to sample.”
Ruslan doesn’t respond immediately, instead he stands and cups my cheeks. Then his mouth slams against mine and he kisses me hard. Owning. Consuming, but at the same time, it’s sad and not lasting.
My heart cracks.
RUSLAN
Isabel walksout of my home, and I can tell by the way she moves, the sadness in her eyes, that she thinks this is the last time she’s going to see me. Maybe it is. I can’t give her any promises, but after being with her today, after talking to her, even though it was only for a few moments, I want to give her promises. I want to make a concrete decision.
If the deal goes through, if terms can be agreed upon. I want to keep her. But at the same time, I am not willing to jump into this blind and headfirst. I need to get a little research done first.
I can’t call Osip and ask any details about her, about her father, because he’s been here just as long as I have. Instead, I decide to make another phone call, one to someone who will be a little more able to help me, hopefully.
Taking my phone off of the nightstand, I make the call. I should text, but I need to meet with him in person and a quick call will be easier than a text at this point.
“Ruslan, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Edmon asks.
I chuckle. “Would love to discuss a sensitive subject with you. Don’t know if you’ll have any information on it though,” I begin.
“Have anything to do with Isabel Garin?” he asks.
I blink, my lips parted in surprise, though I know he can’t see me, he probably assumes I’m just as shocked as I am because he starts to laugh.
“I had a meeting with Osip about an hour ago. He told me a bit, asked me some questions.”
“Did he now?” I ask.
He hums. “He did. Wanted to know if I had a problem working with Rostam in the future, then told me why when I pressed. Only then did he tell me a bit. I don’t have details.”
“Do you know anything about her father?” I ask.
There is a moment of silence. I almost think that he’s ended the call. Then he clears his throat. “Meet at the bar?” he asks.
“I’ll be there in ten.”
Ending the call, I pinch my eyes closed and wonder what the fuck is coming next. It will be life changing. I know that it will, whether it comes in the form of Isabel being my wife, being mine. Or if it means I never see her again. My life is going to change.
I was enjoying life with her, a sweet little treat in the afternoons when she felt like knocking on my door. I wanted to spend more time with her, but I’m still not sure that I want to keep her forever.
I’m sure that makes me a fucking asshole, but I’ve never claimed to be anything else. Making my way to the shower, I quickly get ready to meet with Edmon. I hope that he has some deciding information for me.
