Page 14 of Cruel Longing

“Hi,” I answered. I had a few minutes to give Amara while she took care of her business call.

“Luka, where are you?” She sounded out of breath.

“I’m out. Everything okay? Is it the baby?”

“Yes. No. Not the baby at all. I need to talk to you. Are you at the office? Can I meet you there?” she asked.

“Slow down.” I sat on a velvet bench nearby. “I’m not at the office. Can you tell me now? I’m limited for time, Katya.”

“It’s not something I can tell you over the phone,” she pleaded. “I really need to talk to you about this.”

I rubbed the back of my head. “I’m at dinner. You’re going to have to wait until tomorrow.” I didn’t like to tell her no, but if there was no danger, she could wait.

“Are you with Amara?”

“Why would you ask that?” I was confused where the question came from.

“Never mind. Can we meet at the stables tomorrow? After breakfast?” she suggested.

I had a meeting with Viktor early in the morning, but there were no other scheduled meetings. “I’ll see you there. Are you okay until then? Are you sure?” I felt uneasy hanging up with her.

“Yes. Yes. I’m fine. I’ll meet you tomorrow. I can explain everything then. Enjoy your date.”

I scowled. “I didn’t say I was on a date, Katya.”

Katya hung up before I could say anything else. I tucked my phone back in my pocket. Amara sat at the table when I returned. She looked across the room.

God, I wanted to know what was running through that gorgeous head of hers. She had grown more beautiful in five years than I could have imagined. I wondered if she had chosen the necklace to fuck with me. I slid the door closed. She turned.

“Where’s the champagne?” She noticed I was empty-handed.

“I have a second surprise for you.”

Her emerald eyes widened. “And what’s that?”

“I sold my New Orleans apartment when I moved to Paris. I haven’t been back long enough to buy something new. I will soon.”

“Oh? I assumed you’d move into the compound.”

My jaw tightened. “With my mother? No thank you. She can keep the manse.” She wandered the halls after midnight, carrying empty wine glasses, shouting at the servants for refills. She was a drunken banshee.

“I guess she would be a challenging housemate,” Amara agreed.

I chuckled. “That’s putting it mildly. Anyway, our date is moving locations.”

“Now are we going to Marguerite’s?”

“No. Trust me. You’ll like this better.”

Amara rose from the table. “Should I keep guessing?”

“No, you should not.”

She stepped into my space. “Fine.”

Her lotion was the same citrus scent. It entered my nose, filling me with memories. Fuck. The compulsion to kiss her was strong. I gazed at her pink lips. I repressed the urge and offered her my arm.

“Let’s go.”

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