I should leave. It’s safer in the chair outside. Safer to keep what little distance I can. But my feet move toward her when I see the way she looks at me. Patient. Gentle. Like she can see all the pieces of me I’ve tried so damn hard to mask.
Walking over, I sit on the edge of the bed. Not too close. But close enough I can smell the scent of her shampoo—my shampoo—as it clings to her damp hair. The mattress dips under my weight.
Her smile never falters as her gaze drops to my hands. I keep themclenched in my lap. “I just want to say thank you for offering me the job.” She speaks softly.
I shrug, keeping my eyes forward. “No worries.”
She smiles again. “I’m a little nervous I might mess it up.”
I huff a laugh through my nose. “You’ll be fine. You can’t be any worse than Nikolai. He’s a fucking disaster in the office.”
That earns me a giggle, and I swear that sound alone could make me come right here and now. It’s a straight shot to my dick. I curl my hand on my thigh tighter.
Silence stretches between us before I breathe out a sigh and stand. “I’ll let you get some sleep.”
Her hand reaches out, her fingers brushing my hand. The touch is fleeting, almost non-existent, and it’s like she’s asking me if it’s okay for her to do this.
I stiffen, waiting again for that repulsion to move through me.But it doesn’t—and I don’t pull away.
“Stay,” she says, barely more than a whisper. “Just for a little while?”
Startled, I look into her eyes. Her expression is open. Hopeful. And the way she’s touching me. So light. Gentle. Nothing overwhelming or alarming. Nothing that makes my chest clench with panic. “Avelina?—”
“Please? Just for a bit…stay with me.”
My heart pounds against my ribs, wild and uneven. I nod slowly, and she smiles again. There’s something so tender in the way she looks at me that it unravels a knot deep inside me.
I sit back down on the bed, awkward and with my jerky movements, and her fingers curl around mine.
I stare at our hands. Amazed and confused. What the hell is going on?
She leans toward me, and I freeze, unsure what to do. My heart thunders against my ribs harder—I’m sure she can hear it. I sure as fuck can. I stare at her as she comes closer. The warmth of her breath ghosts over my face.
And she kisses me.
It’s soft.
Careful.
Tentative.
The air in my lungs freezes.
Her lips brush mine like a question.
And I answer it the only way I know how…
By kissing her back.
Heat builds slowly. Her mouth moves against mine with more confidence. Then her hand slides to rest against my chest, and I shudder, overwhelmed but unafraid.
She pulls back just slightly, green gaze wide. Her breath fans against my face. “Are you okay, Viktor?”
I nod. “I just…” How do I even say this? “I’m not a fan of…touching.”
“I’ve noticed,” she says, stilling for a beat.
Her hand begins to pull back and away, but I stop it, shaking my head. “Keep it there,” I growl.
