My palm pressed against her wrist. I could clearly feel her skin—soft, slightly cool.
But instead of stirring any romantic thoughts, the touch filled me with inexplicable revulsion. Like touching something fundamentally incompatible with my nature—a physical, instinctive rejection.
"Thank you, Kholod." Isabella steadied herself against my arm, a shy blush coloring her cheeks.
She didn't let go immediately. Instead, she gripped tighter. Skin against skin, her warmth spreading to me, making that discomfort even more pronounced.
I smoothly withdrew my arm. "The path is slippery. Be careful."
"I will." She smiled.
We continued walking, but I deliberately maintained distance. I didn't want to touch her again.
That evening, I was in my study handling paperwork.
A gentle knock on the door.
"Come in."
Isabella entered, carrying documents.
She wore a tight white dress that accentuated her slim waist and curves. The air filled with an overpowering orange blossom scent—sickeningly sweet and cloying.
Noelle wore the same fragrance, but hers was always light and pleasant.
Why was I thinking about her again? I refocused on my visitor.
Isabella walked to my side, placing the documents on the desk. "Kholod, this is the preliminary plan for the charity auction. Could you take a look?"
"Leave it there." I didn't look up. "I'll review it tomorrow."
"But..." She leaned down, moving closer. "There are some details I'd like to confirm with you now..."
Her perfume grew even stronger, almost suffocating. I frowned and leaned back slightly.
"Like this," she pointed to a line in the proposal, her body almost pressed against my arm, "do you think this price point is appropriate?"
I glanced briefly. "It's fine."
"What about this?" As she turned the page, her hand deliberately covered mine.
Instantly, intense nausea surged through me. I jerked my hand away and stood abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor.
"Kholod?" Isabella looked at me in surprise. "What's wrong?"
I wasn't sure if it was the overly cloying perfume or the temperature of her skin—so different from Noelle's—that made me feel sick. I only knew that every cell in my body was rejecting this contact.
But it hadn't been like this before.
In that alley, her scent, her lips and skin—I'd wanted to absorb them into my very being. If I truly found her repulsive, why had I spent three years searching?
Maybe her perfume really was just too strong tonight.
"I just remembered I have a meeting." I straightened my cuffs, avoiding her gaze. "Dmitri will take you home."
"Home?" Isabella froze. "But... didn't you say..."
"Your family contacted me," I pressed the intercom. "It's been two months. Your mother is worried."
