Page 20 of Bound By Longing

I sigh and rest my head against the glass. “The world is much more vast at night, isn’t it?”

He’s quiet for a moment before replying. “I guess it is. I’ve always liked the night, though. It’s easy to hide. Easy to be your true self.”

“What true self is that?”

“A dangerous one.”

I force myself to look at him. “How dangerous are you? Truly?”

“I’m not a danger to you if that’s what you’re wondering. But I’m not a good man, Mila. I’ve had to do a lot of things in life to get where I am. I’m not proud of everything.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

He shrugs, keeping his eyes on the road. For once, I wish he’d look at me. “You’re easy to talk to. Must be your innocence.” He flashes me a smile.

“How often do you talk to women like this?”

“I talk to women all the time. Most of the time, I do more than talk.”

“I mean like this.” I wave a hand between us. “Talking like this.”

“Not often,” he admits. “Guess that makes you special.”

I don’t feel special, though. I feel like I’m constantly used in dangerous men’s games when I just want to be left alone.

“You don’t want to get married?” I ask.

“To you? That’s sudden. We haven’t even been on a date yet.”

For just a moment, I smile. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know what you meant. And the answer is I plan on never getting married.”

“Why not?”

“It’s just not in the cards for me. I’m not exactly a commitment type of man.” He pulls up to an elegant apartment building. “I live at the top.”

I’m desperate for more answers. The more I talk to Damien, the more I want to know him.

I’m silent as I follow him inside to a fancy lobby and then up to the penthouse. It’s grand and classic in its style. I expected something more modern from him, but I like the coziness of the warm colors and smaller rooms.

He leads me to the living room, where he motions for me to sit down. Once I do, I stuff my hands under my legs to keep them from shaking. He takes the seat opposite me, which, on the one hand, means I don’t have to be so close to him, giving me a better chance to think, but on the other hand, I can’t escape his piercing gaze.

“You look nervous.” His words make me jump a little.

“I’m just not sure I should be here.”

“Worried you’ll get in trouble?” He grabs a lighter and a pack of cigarettes and lights one up.

Worried is an understatement. If Mikhail were to find out I went to Damien’s house willingly, he’d feel so betrayed, and I don’t want to risk hurting Sofiya’s marriage.

“Those will kill you, you know.” I nod at the cigarette in his hand.

“I know.”

“And you don’t care?”

“What’s life without a little risk?” He winks, which sends a wave of heat over my face again. I can’t seem to escape it. “Have you ever taken a risk before, Mila?” The way he says my name makes me shiver. It’s like a song. Melodic and low.

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