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Including the closed door.
Maybe I was crazy for selecting a dress, the low-cut bodice obviously drawing his attention immediately, but I’d wanted to feel feminine around him for the first time. He’d even been thoughtful enough to ask the person responsible for purchasing the rack of clothing to supply hair products and makeup. That had provided a perfect excuse for taking as much time as I felt acceptable being away from him.
Yet as soon as I gazed on his carved face and high cheekbones, I was drawn in just like I’d been before. This time, it felt more like I was experiencing a date, not an assault from a monstrous man.
When he stood, towering over me, I almost swooned. “You drink beer?”
My question caught him off guard, a real smile crossing his face. “I’m happy to see I could surprise you twice in one day. You look incredible.” He took a step back, allowing his heated gaze to fall.
“You picked it out.”
“No, a lovely girl named Eve did that for me. What can I get you to drink?” He took a puff of his cigar, blowing the smoke away from me. When I wrinkled my nose, he lifted his eyebrow again but immediately went and put it out in an ashtray.
“Surprise me.”
I was rewarded with a laugh, the sound sultry, throaty, and forcing my pulse to increase.
“Champagne. Perhaps I’ll join you.”
“What are we celebrating?” I asked, unable to take my eyes off him as he headed toward an expansive bar. Even the pool area was spectacular, the cabana equipped like a full kitchen. The man lived in the lap of luxury, likely worth billions. He’d become rich off handling the elimination of people no one else wanted to touch. I couldn’t imagine his fee.
“Champagne is not only for celebration,mi hermosa flor.”
“That means you don’t have anything to celebrate in your life.”
“I have you.” He offered a smirk as he opened a bottle. Even the act of him handling such a menial task seemed out of place, but at least allowed me to experience a part of him that didn’t include danger.
“You don’t have me, Kostya, unless you mean as in I’m your prisoner.” My words struck the wrong chord, but he passed them off, taking his time to head in my direction.
“I hope that someday you will think of the time we spent together differently.”
“Does that mean one day you’re going to let me go?”
“Perhaps,” he muttered then handed me a glass, the slightest touch of our fingers providing another sizzling moment.
Inhaling, I tried to look away but in his own quiet method, he kept my rapt attention just through his explosive expression of hunger. Then he captured my chin, requiring me to look into his eyes. As he lowered his head in order to kiss me, I did everything I could to turn my head, managing just before his lips captured mine. I knew where this would end up, hours spent in his bed, and I wasn’t going to allow the cub to die because of our disruptive passion.
I also needed to break free from the tight reins he’d placed around me.
“You wanted to talk,” I said quietly. His heated breath cascaded across my skin and instantly my heart began thumping rapidly.
“Hmm… It would seem you’re all business tonight. Have it your way. For now. Yes, I do. Come, sit with me by the pool.” He wrapped his hand around my arm, leading me toward the shallow end. When he reached for another chair, I shook my head, removing my sandals and sitting directly on the edge.
He seemed disappointed but returned to his chair.
I dipped my feet into the water, able to take several normal deep breaths. This could be absolute paradise.
“Why did you leave the surgical program?” he asked quietly after a full minute had passed.
“Why do you live alone on an island? Why do you kill people for a living?”
Exhaling, he rubbed his jaw then sat forward, crowding my space. “This isn’t a game, but I’ll answer some of your questions. I didn’t choose the life, Emily. I had no choice if I wanted to stay alive.”
“Why is that?”
“Because there are some very powerful men in the world who wouldn’t mind seeing me dead.”
“Who?”
