I'm glancing to my right when an intense presence makes the tiny hairs rise on the back of my neck. My heart sets off at a wild pace, my breath catching in my throat.
He's here.
"Business taken care of?" I hear Viktor ask.
"Yes." The single word is clipped, carrying the danger of a flying bullet aimed directly at my heart.
Sweet Jesus. Calm down, Mariya.
For the sake of my pride, I feign indifference as I turn my attention to Luca, whose eyes are resting cooly on me.
My stomach dips and spins with nerves. The effect this
man has on me is downright scary at times. "Mariya," he murmurs, and taking hold of my arm, he leans into me. Tingles explode over my skin from his touch,
and I'm unable to stop my eyes from drifting shut as the
distance between our faces shrinks.
Breathe.
Every inch of my body is overly aware of Luca, my insides practically vibrating from the attraction I feel whenever I'm near him.
His lips brush my left cheek, then my right as his woodsy aftershave wraps around me, along with the intensity of a thousand suns.
This man is the only one with the power to make me feel small and worthless. This has to stop.
With our faces only an inch apart. I feel the warmth of his breath, the confidence rolling off him in waves, and the