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“Take good care of her,” Markus says, protective as ever. “She’s barely slept, and airports make her edgy.”
I lift my eyes to Markus, only now remembering why we’re here.To say goodbye.
My attention jumps back to Grigory as he reaches for a loose tendril of hair on my cheek and tucks it behind my ear. Vulnerability courses through my veins as I stare into the purposeful depths of his eyes and remember my messy ponytail.
“I will,” Grigory says without releasing me from his gaze.
It’s almost too much, all this intensity—all this power—before the sun has barely risen.He’s dressed to a tee. Starched white shirt, black suit jacket, slacks, and leather shoes so shiny they’d pass as a mirror. His face is clean-shaven, displaying the strong lines of his jaw, contrasting with the thick, bushy brows. Control and danger. Hard, unrelenting will.
The effect of Grigory Volkov remains the same. Even at five in the morning, the force of him doesn’t lessen.
“Has she had anything to eat?” he asks, finally releasing my eyes.
“I could barely get her out of bed.” Markus gives me a protective squeeze. “Food wasn’t really an option.”
“I’ll make sure she gets something.”
The feeling of Grigory’s eyes raking over me prickles like needles. I suddenly don’t feel so sure about the decision I made last night. Two weeks with this man—his constant attention hovering over me, watching my every move, and slithering into my private space—is more than I’m ready for.
I keep my eyes glued to the floor while the two men talk practicalities, only looking up when Markus takes my head between his hands.
He’s about to say something, but the moment our eyes lock, I blurt out the words hovering at the forefront of my mind. “I don’t think I can do this.”Just let me stay another few days or go home alone to think this over.
Markus’s forehead furrows as he glances back and forth between my eyes. “You’re in good hands, sweetie.” He moves his thumb in a reassuring stroke across my cheek. “I trust Grigory. You know that.”
I bite my lips, holding my breath for a moment before I let out the next words. “You’ve said that before, yet…” His words from last night jab through my head. He trusted Grigory not to cross my boundaries but always knew the emotional part of things was more uncertain. He risked me getting hurt to help Grigory rediscover his dominant side.Aren’t these two weeks just another experiment with my heart on the line?
“Sweetie, this is different,” he says, eyes focused and sincere as though he tries to force the truth of his words into me.
“I…” My words falter when a hand—Grigory’s hand—settles on my upper arm. It’s large and warm. Comforting and reassuring. My eyes fall down, my chest expanding as I drag in a long, shuddering breath.
That hand has brought me both pain and pleasure during the summer. But most of all, it has brought me peace. When I feel that hand, the world could crumble into pieces around me and I’d still feel safe. I know how quickly the comfort can vanish, leaving me doubting if it was ever there, but I need to find out if it will stick this time. I need to find out if Markus is right and things truly have changed.
Grigory must sense my building resolve because he takes a step back when I lift my gaze back up to Markus, letting us have this moment.
“Okay,” I say, pressing my hands to Markus’s chest. “I’ll do it.”
His lips tip up in a smile.“I think this will be good, Clara. For all three of us.” His smile morphs into an earnest expression. “It’s not as hard to leave you when I know you won’t be alone.”
I search his eyes for a moment. There’s no jealousy or conflict. Even the worry that usually furrows his brows when we say goodbye is gone. He truly believes this is for the best for all three of us.
“Thank you,” I finally say. Because as much as he’s doing this for Grigory and himself, he’s also doing it for me. I won’t have to be alone after this emotionally exhausting summer, and most of all, I’ll get to keep seeing Grigory.
“You’re welcome, sweetie.” He leans down to press a long kiss to my forehead and whispers against my skin, “I’m going to miss you.”
Three months together. Now they’re over. Knowing I won’t be alone doesn’t change that. My throat constricts as the realization works its way into my hazy brain.
“I’m gonna miss you too,” I croak, suddenly feeling choked up. “So much.”
Markus wraps me up in a tight hug, and I curl up against him, inhaling his scent and memorizing the feeling of his body. I’ve always hated these goodbyes, but this one is harder than most. My breath stutters into his shirt as I push my arms under his jacket to get closer.
“Three weeks will pass in the blink of an eye.” He strokes my hair soothingly and leans his cheek on my head.
Threeweeks.I can’t go that long without him. Not after having spent three months together. I know we did this once, being apart more than we were together, but the idea twists me up, making me shudder as tears well in my eyes.
“Grigory will take care of you meanwhile,” Markus reassures, squeezing me closer. “So it’s really onlyone week.”
Does it work that way? Will it feel shorter because I’m with Grigory for two out of three weeks? My stomach sours at the idea. I can’t replace one man with the other. No matter what I’m doing or who I’m with, it’s stillthreeweeks away from Markus.
