Page 47 of Claim

“I can control enough. I have you here don’t I? I have a plan. I have an empire.”

I shouldn’t push his buttons, he appears to be in a sour mood. But I can’t help myself.

“Yet you’re still hiding from your father? What does one night off do to mess with your plans really? When’s the last time you turned that damn brain off of fight mode and just took a second to enjoy something… or someone?”

I lean back into my chair and face him, trying to gauge a reaction. It’s hard to decipher through that damn mask.

“It’s been a long time. I have too many people’s lives relying on me. Including yours, iskorka.”

I nod, leaning over to grab the vodka from in front of me. He catches my wrist before I can get it.

“Oh, am I not allowed?” I pin him with a stare.

When I yank my arm out of his grip, he sighs. What is up with him? I stand up and tuck my chair in, then go to the back exit and slide my sneakers on.

“Where are you going? It’s pouring rain and it isn’t safe.”

I turn and smile at him, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Just wanna go dance in the rain.” I shrug, pulling open the door.

Before I can step outside, his hand connects with my hip and he spins me to face him, pressing me into the wall.

“You’ll freeze to death.”

My heart races and I take a deep breath, him being this close… pressed up against me. I want him.

“I won’t. Don’t be dramatic, big man.”

As I go to move, he blocks me in, pinning his hand up against the wall next to my head.

“Don’t ignore me.” He almost growls, and holy hell that’s hot.

“What you going to do about it? Leave me here and not tell me where you’re going again? Or chase me through the woods?”

His eyes darken and he shakes his head. It’s almost like he’s sad. And I hate that.

“Come on, big man, dance in the rain with me.” I tap his chest.

He tips my chin up to him and studies me.

“Don’t make me beg. Let me show you the world won’t end if you’re happy for just a few minutes.”

He looks down at my lips and back to my eyes. God, I could get lost staring into his, the window to his soul.

“You think you know what would make me happy?”

“You think you’re so mysterious, don’t you? I see you, Mikhail. I can see straight through you. You might be used to people being scared of you. I’m not. Now dance with me.”

I wanna kick him out of whatever mood he’s in.

“Nobody really sees the real me. They see the person I choose to be for them.” His voice drops.

Interesting.

“That might work on everyone else. Trouble is, Miki... you can’t hide your soul from me. No matter how hard you try. See, I believe we were meant to find each other...”

I stroke my hand along his mask and for a split second he tilts his face into my touch.

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