Page 73 of Scarlet Secrets

The air rushes out of me. “I just… I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

“Follow me.”

But I can’t move as terror and hope swamp me in equal measures.

Demyan lets out an exasperated breath. “You’ll live another day, Erin. We’re going downstairs to have lunch. You, me, and Sasha.”

My legs almost give way and he catches my arm, electricity shooting through me at his touch.

My eyes blur with tears of happiness but I dash them with my hand as he lets me go. I’m not going to cry. Sasha won’t understand.

But the happiness swells and I stare at him. “Really?”

“Yes.”

I don’t think. I throw my arms around him and hug him tight, the warmth of his hard body seeping in and enveloping me like a psychic hug.

He doesn’t move and I hug him harder, the beat of his heart strong and slightly erratic.

Demyan mutters something in Russian as I press against him. He feels good, I won’t lie, but he feels even better because I’m getting to see Sasha.

“Thank you. Thank you.” And I sob a little, shoulders shaking, unable to stop myself.

For a moment he remains a solid wall of hot rock, and then his hands come up to grip my hips. Large, strong, my body bursts into life.

I remember that touch, how it burned and set off further fires inside. I rub my cheek against his chest and thread my fingers into his thick hair, breathing in that honeyed whiskey and lavender and leather of him.

“You smell like warm summer and flowers, not honey and lavender,” he says.

“That’s you.”

“Is it?”

A laugh bubbles up, followed by the slam of reality. He probably never read the scent profile of whatever he wears. I don’t even know if it’s just his products or an expensive perfume that’s so subtle a woman needs to be up close.

I go to pull free, but his fingers skim my side and tip my chin. Our gazes mesh and for a moment I’m lost in him.

“No tears, good,” he says.

Then I pull free, embarrassed by my reaction. I’m getting caught up in some sick fantasy about the man who’s kept me prisoner and away from my child and he’s checking I’m not a blubbering mess for Sasha to see.

I don’t know what the hell my reaction was. But I shove it away and straighten my dress.

“Come on, Erin.”

I follow him and as we near the landing on the ground floor, he says, “Just remember I’m watching.”

“What am I going to do? You’ve got guards everywhere.”

The scents from the kitchen reach me as we go down the hall and he suddenly grabs me, pushing me against the wall.

Heat radiates from where he touches. He leans right in, breath teasing my skin, and I’m in overdrive for reasons I can’t fathom. Maybe because I’m so pathetically grateful to be out, or maybe it’s because he’s the only human touch I’ve had in what seems forever. Or maybe?—

His face is calm, but his voice could cut bone. “Fucking me over right now would be a very bad, very dangerous move.”

“I wouldn’t?—”

“I’m talking, Erin, and you’ll do fucking well to listen. This is your one and only chance to prove you can be trusted. Do you understand?”

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