Page 49 of About Love and Revenge

“As I said before, we'll not exchange confessions in this regard, Elina.”

We eat dinner in silence, each seeming to be weighing our own decisions, until she asks, “You said this would be a business meeting, but so far we've only talked about personal matters. What kind of reception do you want, and how much time will I have to organize it?”

“A benefit masquerade ball. You have two months. One of my secretaries will be at your disposal for anything you need, but if you think an assistant is needed as well, let her know.”

“Which institution will you be helping?”

“Fire victims,” I reply vaguely.

“May I ask the reason? Don't get me wrong, it's just that people tend to sponsor causes like cancer or orphanages.”

“I throw half a dozen parties annually, so I reserve the right to choose whom I want to help.”

“Sure.” She drops her eyes, and I feel bad. This topic is a sensitive one for me, but she's not to blame for that.

“Burn recovery is a delicate and very painful process. I just try to bring them some relief.”

She looks back at me, and her face shows surprise. “Sounds like a noble cause. I wasn't criticizing it; it was just curiosity.”

I don't know what to say, so instead I take her hand across the table again. “Dessert?”

“Something with chocolate?” she says with such enthusiasm that I can't hold back a smile.

“Chocolate sounds great.”

Elina

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Invite me up.”

We're in his car. I spent most of the way thinking about our conversation. I know I was bold, but the time has come to live a little.

The way we react to each other won't just disappear. And coupled with the fact that I've decided it's time to discover myself as a woman, our arrangement seems perfect, at least in theory.

I don't want to fall in love and neither does Odin, so why don't we test this strong attraction between us?

One thing I've noticed since we've been together is that I need to fake very little when I’m with him. I don't have to be so attentive to what's expected of me, because Odin seems to accept me for who I am, and that makes me feel at ease.I’ve never experienced freedom like this, and the feeling is a little addictive. I'm afraid of forgetting that I can't be myself, of letting my guard down completely.

I look up at him.

Odin spent the entire ride holding my hand on top of his thigh, though we didn't talk.

“I'm not ready yet . . .”

He cups my chin, preventing me from looking away. “Nothingneeds to happen, but it's too early to say good night. I'm probably going away tomorrow, and I want a little more of your company first."

“Okay.”

“Are you sure? Do youwantme to come up?”

That's something I love about him. In spite of everything I've said, that I’ve agreed to a physical involvement with him, he always lets me decide, never forcing me or imposing himself on me.

“Yeah.”

We stop in front of my building, but before the driver comes over to open my door, Odin steps out and does so.

As I step outside, I see the men who followed us to and from the restaurant jump out of the car behind us.

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