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“Thank you.” I nod.
“Get to work,” Roman says. Aleksei leaves us at the same time Roman squeezes my hand.
When did I grab onto his hand?
“Malyshka, what was that? What was wrong?”
I let go of his hand and shake my head. “Nothing. I’m not sure.”
“No, you looked terrified. What was it?”
“Nothing. Probably just how big he was.” He looked as though he could rip the door from the hinges just as easily as replace a piece of glass.
“Aleksei is no bigger than me. No, that wasn’t it.”
“I don’t know, he just startled me. That’s all.”
He stares at me a long moment. He’s not believing me any more than I am.
“You don’t want to tell me.” He runs the back of his knuckles across my jaw. His nostrils flare with his harsh exhale. “You will soon, though.”
Relief floods me. “It’s nothing. I promise.” I wrap my hand around his wrist.
“I came by to tell you our plans for the evening.” He takes pity on me by changing the topic.
“Tell me? Don’t men ask women on dates back in Russia?”
“It’s not a date. We’re already engaged. I have a dinner tonight. You’ll go with me.”
I frown. “Do I have to?”
He nods. “You do. If you’re a good girl and don’t give me any trouble tonight, you’ll get a reward when we get home.”
“Oh, a reward? Like what? Chocolate? Ice cream?” I can’t help but enjoy this little game.
“Something much better, I’m sure, than chocolate. But if you’re good at dinner, you can have a chocolate dessert.”
I sigh. “Fine. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“I’ll be ready,” I promise with a nod. “Now, can I have my coffee back?” I put my hand out, sure he’ll give the box over to me. After all I haven’t given him any trouble about going out tonight.
“I’ll have lunch sent over for you, and once you prove you ate it, your coffee will be given back.” He winks, then kisses my cheek. “Be a good girl,malyshka. I promise it’s worth it.”
In the end, I’m left alone in my office with no coffee, and I forgot to ask him who we were having dinner with.
Billie
One strandof hair refuses to stay pinned in place. It dangles down the side of my face. I blow it away from my mouth and try once more to make it fit into the last bobby pin I have.
The buzzer sounds from the living room, and I check the time on my phone.
Seven o’clock, on the dot.
Of course he’d be exactly on time. Not a moment late. I’m somewhat surprised he wasn’t early.
I hit the button to unlock the door downstairs then hurry back to my room to get my shoes and a jacket. The cold has returned, but at least it’s not snowing.
