Page 53 of Heritage of Blood

“Would you be interested in shooting some rounds?” I ask, needing a distraction.

“Really? You’d have to teach me, but I’d love to.” She’s smiling wide now, and I’m undone.

“Here, I have my personal weapon on me. You can fire this.” I stride over to one of the shooting lanes and set the target at ten feet to start. I unload my weapon and show her proper handling and a good stance. When she is ready, she picks up the pistol and fires three rounds. The first two miss the target completely, but the third hits. I step up behind her, pull down her shooting muffs and lean my mouth to her ear.

“Again.”

Chapter32

Kate

Luka’s words tingle down my spine when his mouth grazes my ear. I lift the pistol and aim, firing four consecutive shots. This time I only miss the first one. I remove my ear protection and gasp as Luka presses a soft kiss to the spot behind my ear. My eyes unconsciously close and the adrenaline from firing his weapon turns to flutters in my belly. His hands travel up my arms on either side and Luka’s body steps closer, his chest steadying me.

“Seeing you in that skirt, firing my weapon—it makes me want things,malyshka.”

My heart pounds at his words. Another soft kiss grazes my neck, sending shivers down my spine.His hands come to my waist and circle around my middle, curling me into him. This feels right—being here with him.

I lean my head back against his shoulder, savoring being close to him. I want to open myself to him. I search my mind for the right word.

Vulnerable.

That’s what I feel with Luka.

Not in the fearful for my life way, but in the way I could never be with Derek—or anyone, for that matter. I could have had a worse childhood, but I’d be lying if I said dealing with my mom all those years didn’t eat away at me. I toe the line between wanting to be there for her and being bitter that Ihaveto be there for her. Most people would look down their noses at me for that, but Luka wouldn’t.

I want to turn around. I want to kiss him, to have his mouth over mine, but I’m afraid when I gaze into his eyes, I’ll lose my nerve.

“Do you know how much I think about you, Kate?”

My breath hitches, and he hums his approval in my ear. Those words—his words—coming out strained and needful.

I bring a hand up to grip behind his head. I’m going to pull his mouth to mine. He traces small circles on the back of my hand as I hold my hand over his. The sensation of Luka’s hands in mine is electric; every touch—

A chime sounds, and the whoosh of the automatic door opens. I jump and straighten Luka’s hands before pulling away. I smooth my hands down the front of my skirt before glancing up to see Nik grinning at us. I must not even be registering what is being said because I tune in during the middle of Luka’s tongue-lashing.

“—are you doing here?”

“Igor says the paperwork for these shipments is ready,” Nik says.

Luka is glaring at Nik now, but nods and turns back to me. My flushed face gets hotter.

“I have to go over some paperwork. I’ll have Nik take you to the small kitchen. Help yourself to whatever you’d like.”

I tilt my head in a small nod and watch Luka walk out of the room. My eyes lift to Nik, and he motions for me to follow him. Limping toward the door, he throws his gaze over his shoulder.

“Know what you’re doing?”

No, I do not. Not at all.

* * *

After Nik droppedme off at the small kitchen, it took me all of fifteen minutes and a short phone call with my mom before curiosity had me opening cabinets and snooping around. There wasn’t much here—a few basic kitchen items and a fridge full of water bottles. I grab one and sit down at one of the small round tables, my mind wandering back to the training room.

The way I feel with Luka, I’ve never felt before with anyone. I’ve always been attracted to him; I was the night I saw him across the gas station parking lot. But—getting to know him, seeing how he leads, the way he protects—my stomach flutters for the man that Luka is, not what he does.

My eyes close, and his words come back to me. “Do you know how much I think about you, Kate?”

I drain the rest of the water bottle in an attempt to douse the burning in my cheeks, and I casually spin the bottle in circles on the table. Luka’s warehouse was close to Dr. Smith’s clinic all this time.

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