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“Efrem.” Smiling tentatively, I search his face for any of the deadly anger I’d seen in his expression as I left him on the East River Greenway. A hint of discoloration marks his left cheek as though someone landed a punch there, but it’s subtle enough I can’t be sure. “What brings you here?”
“I came to check on you,” he says, his eyes probing as they scan my body up and down.
The way he inspects me, as if checking to see that I’m in one piece, sends a shiver down my spine.
“I wanted to make sure you are okay. I did not like letting you go with those men.”
My heart flutters at the sound of his concern uttered in a smooth, enticing Russian lilt. “I’m sorry. I would have texted you when I got home, but I don’t actually have your number.”
Efrem reaches for my hand, taking from my fingers the phone I’ve all but forgotten. Focusing on the screen, he types for several seconds before passing it back to me.
“There. Now you will always be able to contact me. Though I don’t intend to let you go with strange men into the night again.”
I can’t tell if he’s being playful or not. His blue eyes dance, but his tone holds a note of warning that makes me believe him.
Butterflies burst to life in my stomach. I laugh to ease the tension. “I don’t intend to leave with strange men either. I’m sorry I had to go. I didn’t want our night to end like that….” Hell, I didn’t want our night to end at all. But the memory of Efrem’s distraught expression as I looked over my shoulder at him still makes my gut twist.
“But you are okay?” he presses, taking a step closer so I have to tip my head up to look at his face.
“I’m fine,” I assure him quickly. “Ben was with me, so those other guys didn’t try anything. Honestly, I spent the whole walk home bickering with my brother.” I blush, thinking about how childish our arguments can sound. “I’m kind of glad you weren’t there to watch me stick my tongue out at him.”
Efrem releases a throaty chuckle, his body language relaxed as he hovers dangerously close.
The scent of his woodsy cologne makes my skin tingle with excitement. “I was planning on taking a drive this afternoon, heading out of the city to take advantage of the perfect weather. Are you free? Would you like to come?”
Efrem combs his rain-dampened hair out of his eyes and glances up at the sky. “This is perfect weather?” he asks, his lips curving into an amused smile.
A giggle bubbles up through my lips. “For photography. The cloud cover provides wonderful natural lighting.”
“Ah. Well, I did manage to get the afternoon off, so yes, I would like to accompany you for a drive.” Efrem’s blue eyes flash with a heat that turns my insides to mush.
“Great,” I say breathily and gesture in the direction of the student parking lot. “I brought my car today, hoping the rain would lighten up.”
Efrem keeps a respectful distance as we head down the paved walk to the parking lot. I catch multiple students casting glances his way—some furtive as they seem to cringe away from his intimidating figure, others appreciative as they skim over his impressive muscles and striking features.
A hint of jealousy darkens my mood at the number of double takes that turn my classmates’ heads. But Efrem seems all but oblivious to the desire behind them, and somehow, that makes me like him even more.
As we reach my sporty-red BMW, Efrem opens the door for me, and I slide behind the driver’s seat before he joins me on the passenger side.
“Where to?” he asks as I back out of my parking spot and put my car in drive.
“Harriman State Park?” I ask it like a question, suddenly wondering if I should pick something closer since I’m taking Efrem with me.
“Are you asking me, or are you telling me?” His lips twitch with amusement.
“Uh, telling you?”
He laughs, the sound filling the car and making my pulse quicken.
“So tell me, Dani, why do clouds make better lighting than sunshine?” Efrem asks.
“Oh, um, full light can cause glare and wash out the colors. The exposure can be tricky to manage. But clouds create a nice filter and soft lighting, making shadows easier to work with.” I shrug, feeling like I could go on and on about why clouds make photos so much better, but I’m sure he doesn’t need to hear my extensive list.
Efrem nods, and I can feel his gaze lingering on me as I pull onto the highway. He never seems to run out of questions about me, my art, my interests, and the fifty-minute drive flies by as we cross through New Jersey and back into New York before reaching the nature park.
Pulling my striped raincoat closed, I zip up to cut the brisk breeze as I step out of the car. Efrem seems completely unaffected in his sweater. Together, we make our way down the wooded trail. We walk in silence for a while as I search for a subject matter that interests me.
Efrem seems just as at ease out in the wilderness as he is in the city. His head, ever on a swivel, takes in our surroundings with silent appreciation, and I wonder when was the last time he took an afternoon to enjoy the outdoors like this.
