Page 6 of Take Me Under

“Emotions don’t have to make sense, Serena. They just have to make themselves known,” he stated as if it were that obvious. “You’re a beautiful woman. You belong here as much as the next.”

I slowly blinked twice, looking back up to meet his gaze as I processed his words. He was clearly flirting with me, yet there was something else to it as well. I’d lived in Italy long enough to see through smooth-talking Italian men, but this came across different. The heat of his stare stirred deep-rooted emotions, making me feel astoundingly exposed. It was as if he could see beyond my borrowed designer dress and ruby necklace, and lay bare every secret I’d ever held dear.

I looked down again, then gave him a brief sideways glance. I wasn’t sure what game he was playing, but I wasn’t here for it. I had no time for meaningless flirtation—if that’s what this was. I needed to stay focused on what I set out to do tonight.

Reaching up, he placed his forefinger under my chin and tilted my head until all I could see were his endless onyx eyes.

“Do you know what a trustfall is?” he asked. His head tilted to the side as he carefully assessed me. His expression made me feel like a puzzle he was determined to solve.

My brow furrowed. I could deduce what it meant, but I wasn’t sure how it would apply here.

“I’m sorry?”

“A trustfall. It’s the ability to fall without questioning whether everything will be alright in the end. It means blindly jumping into uncomfortable situations and irrevocably trusting someone or something to catch you if you fall.”

“Are you saying that I should just go in there and trust everything will be fine?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Although we only just met, you don’t strike me as a delicate wallflower.” He took my hand again and grazed his fingers along my calloused palm. “Sometimes pure grit is the thing that helps you fall when you least expect it. Trust yourself.”

I pressed my lips together in a tight line. There may have been a time when I could do exactly as he suggested, but not now. Not anymore. Too much had changed, and too much was at stake.

“I don’t think I can do that—at least not with the confidence you’re suggesting.”

Something dark flashed across his face before it was quickly masked. He seemed upset—perhaps even slightly angry. But then he pressed his lips together and nodded, seeming to come to a decision.

“Do you trust me, Serena?”

It was such an odd request from someone I’d just met.

“I don’t know you, Anton,” I replied hesitantly.

“I think we should remedy that,” he stated. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, his eyes showing just a hint of mischief before darkening with words unspoken. “Trustfall, princess. Let go and trust me to be your escort tonight.”

I didn’t know how I could wholly trust someone I barely knew—yet, strangely, I found myself wanting to do exactly that. Still, something told me that I wasn’t just accepting his offer toescort me to the gala. He regarded me with curiosity and desire, a look that seemed to convey something deeper. It was as if he were demanding that I submit to unforeseen forces lingering just below the surface.

Trustfall.

The idea made me feel vulnerable and exposed, yet something in his unwavering gaze made me want to give in. The obsidian depths held a mesmerizing allure, and I found myself spellbound.

I wanted to do as he suggested even though my subconscious warned me to be cautious. I wanted to walk away from him and focus on what I came here to do, yet I also wanted to forget my obligations and give in to the feelings he provoked. He drew me in like a moth to a flame, making me both fascinated and wary. The internal tug of war was real. I was the epitome of opposites—a jumble of contradictions.

I took a deep breath, allowing my chest to expand as much as the tight bodice of my dress would allow, and tried to calm my hammering heart. Ignoring the warning voice in my head that said I couldn’t afford this distraction, I accepted his outstretched hand.

Anton’s eyes crashed into mine, and I allowed myself to give in—to trustfall.

“Okay, Anton. I’ll trust you.”

CHAPTER THREE

Serena

Anton smiled as if he’d just won a game a chess, and it made me wonder if this was a huge mistake.

“You should never do anything you don’t want to do, princess. If a red carpet walk makes you uncomfortable, find another way.”

“Once again, you make it sound so simple.”

“That’s because it is. Let me show you.”

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