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“Thank you,” I say, glancing at him from the corner of my eye.
“For what?” he asks, his blue gaze sending sparks of excitement down my spine.
“For intervening at the park.” I twist my fingers together, nervous that I might say something foolish. “I just… normally, people don’t step in on my behalf when it comes to the paparazzi. My family normally gets publicists to help us with that kind of thing, not… security details.”
He chuckles softly, the deep rumbling sound seeming to reverberate from his broad chest. “You are welcome.” Then his expression darkens slightly. “I hope I did not cause you… pain.”
“Pain?” He didn’t even touch me—I would know—so the word catches me by surprise.
“You said it is less painful to let the paparazzi do as they please.” The thought seems to trouble him deeply.
“Oh.” I release a nervous giggle. Does this guy have some kind of tape recorder in his brain? He seems to recall things I say even when I’ve forgotten I said them. “No, this one was going to be painful no matter what you did. I’m just glad he won’t have pictures to incriminate my father with.”That sounds terrible.“I mean—you know, to twist the truth and make my family look bad or whatever.” I don’t think I’m helping my case.
And by the slight frown that creases his strong brow, I wonder if I’ve offended him. He stops short, and for a moment, I think he might want to say something in his defense.
Then I realize we’ve reached the front steps of my house.
“Thanks for walking me home.” I turn to face Efrem, offering an apologetic smile that I hope he will take to mean I meant no offense.
“It was my pleasure, Miss Richelieu.” His perceptive gaze lingers on my face, no trace of the frown he wore just moments before telling me he’s upset. Instead, a flicker of warmth enters his blue eyes that makes my stomach quiver.
“Please, Efrem, call me Dani.” I hate that he feels the need to be formal with me. Though it’s been years since I spent much time around him, I still consider us familiar.
The hint of a smile touches his full, enticingly soft-looking lips. “Dani,” he agrees, as if testing how it feels on his tongue.
Hearing my nickname in his deep Russian accent makes my skin tingle. And before I can think better of it, I lightly grasp his muscular forearm, rise onto my tippy-toes, and press a kiss to his lightly stubbled cheek. Then I whirl and sprint up the stairs, dashing through my front door before he can see the deep blush coloring my cheeks.
4
EFREM
The security detail standing silently on the front porch of Dani’s home keeps his eyes trained on the middle distance as I watch her swiftly retreating figure. I study the black-suited professional for a moment, assessing whether Dani’s secret is safe with him. Because, from her quick departure, I assume she’s not entirely confident in her decision to kiss me.
The spot on my cheek where her lips touched feels as though she ignited the very nerves beneath my skin like the fuse attached to a stick of dynamite. I don’t often get caught off guard. But that kiss was the last thing I expected.
And now molten heat pounds through my veins.
I force myself to turn and make the solitary walk back toward the Veles home.
I shouldn’t feel so strongly about Dani. It’s wrong to be attracted to her for too many reasons. She’s so young it makes our nine-year age difference seem like an uncrossable ravine. She’s good friends with my boss’s wife and practically like a sister to mypakhan. Not to mention, her comment about the paparazzi’s pictures incriminating her family tells me we have far bigger hurdles obstructing any potential attraction.
No, Dani is beyond my reach. I can’t afford to pursue the feelings I have for her. And yet, I find it impossible to ignore her. She has grown into someone far more beautiful and interesting than I ever could have anticipated. And now that Pyotr and Silvia are back in town, it seems like Dani is becoming a far more constant fixture in my life.
Sighing heavily, I run my fingers through my hair, combing it back from my face. I need to focus. Now is not the time to start letting my eyes stray or my attention wander. Between the Zhivoder clan’s escalating behavior and the paparazzi that seem to have taken an interest in the Veles family, I need to be at my best.
I can’t allow myself to get distracted. No matter how long Dani’s legs are or how perfectly round her ass is.
Shoving the image of her daring, dimpled smile from my mind’s eye, I scale the steps of Pyotr’s brownstone mansion and head toward his office to see what I’ve missed.
“Good. You’re back,” Pyotr observes as soon as I step into the room.
Val remains stoically quiet by the doorframe.
“Silvi told me what happened at the park. Even if it wasn’t Mikhail Sidorov, I’m glad you were there. Thanks for walking Dani home.” Pyotr spares me a quick glance before turning his attention back to the paperwork in his hands.
“Not a problem,” I say, though I’m grateful he doesn’t focus on me too intently. I still feel branded by Dani’s lips, and I’ve only just managed to get my lingering excitement under control.
Scribbling his signature swiftly across the bottom of the paperwork, Pyotr rises from his seat a moment later. “I can read the rest later. We have a few more meetings to attend in the city.”
