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“What makes you think I’d want to do anything to you, Aurora?” he asks softly.
“Oh, please! I know you are aware that I left the property,” I say, somehow managing to maintain my composure.
“Oh, that,” Lev says with a shrug as he walks toward me. “Another trip to see your…aunt, I imagine?” My eyes widen in surprise at the way he dismisses the incident.
“Are you not mad?” I huff out. He’s messing with my mind.
“Should I be?” he asks as he stops in front of me. He towers over my sitting position, making him even more intimidating.
“I don’t know. You aren’t someone who would just let it slide.” I tilt my head back to see his face.
“Am I? Should I assume you intentionally defy me so I can punish you?” he says in amusement. He’s loving this.
“What? No!” I quickly respond. Though maybe his words have an iota of truth. Maybe in a sick way, I defy Lev because I want to earn that punishment. I know how it mostly ends; besides, it seems to be the only way I get his sexual attention.
“Are you saying you hate your punishment?” He’s teasing me, though it scares me. This is not the first time with him when I can’t decide if I should be excited or terrified.
Where is this heading?
I decide it makes no difference. Whatever he wants to do with me, it’s not like I can change his mind. He simply does what he wants and he knows it.
“Don’t play dumb with me. It doesn’t suit you,” I snap irritably. Sincerely, I would prefer his anger to this nonchalant attitude. Then again, I’m probably treading on thin ice. Something flickers in his eyes and I know my instincts are accurate.
“Are you calling me dumb?” he asks softly.
“What? No, that’s not it,” I quickly say. “It is just…” I heave a sigh. “Look, I’m sorry for leaving without your permission, but I had no choice. I haven’t seen you in days. There was no way I could reach you. Your men won’t allow it. What was I supposed to do?” I wish I didn’t sound so needy; as if I’ve been sulking about not seeing him.
“Right. Is that all you want to say?” Lev says.
“What else?” I ask. He stares at me a bit longer than comfortable. I can’t help feeling like he’s hiding something. I try to think of what else could be on his mind that’s bugging him, but I know it’s hopeless. He keeps staring at me silently until it seems like he shakes some stray thought away.
“Never mind,” he says abruptly. “Time’s running out. You should freshen up while you can.” He turns to leave.
“Wait,” I call out. He stops, then turns to face me.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him again. I don’t know why I’m still apologizing. Maybe it is because of what Elena told me. Somehow, I feel guilty, as if I’ve added to the burden he already has to bear.
“You’ve got ten minutes,” he says, glancing at his watch. “Your bag’s been packed. I just need you out front,” he adds before he leaves the room.
I stare at his retreating form, trying to work out what to do about his strange behavior but I can’t seem to figure out what to make of it.
Stop overthinking this, Aurora.
He’s left me alone for days. Maybe he’s planning to make it up to me. Why would he be lying to me about the vacation? If he was going to punish me, he could have just done it without taking me anywhere. Perhaps I should be looking forward to this.
I rush to the bathroom and take a quick shower. I decide to wear a short sundress and a pair of sandals. Ten minutes later, I leave my room. Lev’s already in the living room waiting for me.
His eyes sweep my entire body before he returns them to my face.
“Have you eaten?” he asks. I think of the soup Leila gave me earlier and I nod in response.
“Alright,” Lev says as he holds out his hand for me. I stare down at it in surprise and then reach for it. It’s strong and warm around mine as he leads me out of the house.
There’s a line of cars waiting, and he leads me to the passenger door of a Rolls Royce, waiting for me to get in before he joins me inside.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“It’s a surprise,” he says, and I’m taken aback by his playful tone.
