Page 20 of White Rabbit
“Maybe shelve them together as new arrivals,” I called, turning. “I—oh!”
I stumbled over my own feet as I turned only to find Valariy stood directly behind me. His hands shot out to catch me as I fell into his chest.
“Good afternoon,Moya kokhána,” he murmured, so close his minty breath brushed over my lips.
“Valariy…” My breaths heaved as I peered up into his blue eyes that seemed so dark while I stood this close to him.
“I was looking for you, and I thought I might find you here,” he said as he righted me. He didn’t let go of my arms, his fingers flexing for a moment as if to hold me tight again.
“Seems like I’m always right here in the afternoon.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“I… Why were you looking for me?”
He shook his head as if to knock away a trace. He chuckled. “You still my thoughts. I was looking for you to tell you we’re having family dinner tonight. I’ve finally managed an evening to wrangle all my siblings in one place for the night. You’ve meet Danik but I want the rest to meet you. Plus, it’s Thanksgiving.”
“Okay. Wow, I lost track of days. What time are we eating? I can’t wait to meet them, too.”
Actually,. it scared the tar out of me. Valariy seemed to like me but what if they didn’t?
“Six. It’s an occasion to dress for dinner. You’ll find a selection of dresses in your closet—”
“Along with the abundance of other clothes you’ve gotten me? Thank you for that, by the way.”
“You’re welcome, my Brecklyn. I want to give you everything you need.”
I needed him, but I didn’t dare say that. My eyes met his and I wondered if he could see my thoughts.
Perhaps. His hand lifted and he cupped my cheek, his thumb smoothing over it. “So perfect, so soft,” he murmured. “The sapphire blue. I think you should wear the sapphire. It will look beautiful on you.”
“Okay.”
“I must get back to work. I’ll get you from your room a few minutes before six, so I can escort you down.”
Leaning in, he kissed just beside my lips, so close I could almost taste him. My eyes closed but almost as fast as the featherlight touch, he was gone.
Chapter 13
Brecklyn
Valariy was right. The blue complimented my hair and pale skin. The heavy silk layers caressed my body and fit perfectly to my curves—except in the chest area where it was slightly loose. It seemed like everything was nowadays. I’d lost weight and muscle while in the coma, and my moderately sized breasts seemed to have taken the brunt of the hit.
I set it aside to put on at the last minute.
In the bathroom, I twisted my hair into an intricate updo then turned to my face. The drawers next to the sink held a plethora of cosmetics that were a girly girl’s dream. I’d tried out some over the past couple weeks, but tonight, I used all my makeup skills—one thing I’d learned from my older sisters.
Above all, I wanted to impress Valariy and not embarrass him in front of his family tonight. Jitters still wobbled in my middle and my hands shook a little. At this point, I couldn’t attribute it to weakness from my convalescence. It was all nerves.
But when I was finished, I looked good.
I’d just finished slipping on the dress when the knock came on the door at precisely five to six. Crap! He was punctual. I slipped on the black flats I was wearing with the dress for safety then rushed to answer.
When I opened to greet him, my breath caught. Valariy always looked perfect in suits, all of them made for him. But tonight in the black with his open-necked white shirt beneath, he looked like a model straight from Paris.
“Moya kokhána, you’re beautiful,” he said, leaning in and kissing me just below my ear. A shiver trembled through me.
“So are you,” I breathed before thinking better of it.
