“Keep shopping. You don’t want your guards to say you had a mysterious phone call. Whatever we can do to minimize Rurik’s suspicions.”
Luerna moved, barely paying attention to what she was doing. She kept trying to look over at him, but he was right; she didn’t want to give her guards anything to report.
“How are you so good at this?”
“I’ve been practicing. For obvious reasons.”
“So three years ago when you stopped calling–” She didn’t finish. It was a hurt that lingered. She felt abandoned. But most of all, stupid for believing in a stranger. It’s the only thing keeping her from falling for it again. What’s to say he won’t end whatever this is just because he can?
“It was never my intention to leave you behind, sunshine. I was coming back for you.”
She nodded, still holding onto doubt. She wanted to tell him what damage he caused, but what would that accomplish other than making her look weak? Rurik constantly told her how pathetic she was. She didn’t want Levka to think the same.
“Can we meet?” she questioned under her breath, making sure her guards couldn’t hear.
Hope sounded in his reply, “You want to meet me?”
Luerna was more inclined to go where he instructed as long as he wasn’t talking about boarding a plane and taking off somewhere. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be ready for something like that. But this clandestine relationship they had going on was enough for the moment. It brought so much excitement that she felt jittery. The fact that his eyes were on her right now and no one knew was enough to turn her on. It was a feeling she rarely possessed.
“Yes,” she admitted.
She could almost hear his smile. She imagined it in her head as she stared at candles. “On Saturday, take the kids to the rink like you normally do. I’ll text you further instructions.”
His knowledge of her whereabouts was endearing and a little crazy. Was that his flaw? Was he ridiculously possessive? Would he get jealous at the slightest glance at another man? She was dying to find out, to make him a little less perfect and less intimidating. “What do you do in your spare time?”
“Spare time? I’m building an empire; I have no time.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Baby, there’s going to be a day when you realize how much you consume me. And I hope it’s the day you agree to run away with me.”
Chapter fourteen
Secret
Luernastoodonthebleachers, watching her children in the rink. She left the two-year-old with Silvia, something she usually did because the toddler was too young to skate. The others were professionals by now. She started them all at the age of three. Her twin five-year-olds didn’t even need to hold anyone’s hand. Her two older kids were in the center of the rink, showing off with bunny hops and spins.
Luerna rung her hands in front of her in her nervousness. Levka was here, in the building. The very thought of it suffocated her. She could think of nothing else. She was barely paying attention, searching the crowd for his face. She knew he wasn’t in the rink. He was waiting for her in a secret meeting spot, like a mistress.
I’m having an affair, aren’t I?It’s a crazy thought; a ridiculous thought because she didn’t do things like that. She followed the rules and obeyed her father and husband like she was supposed to because they promised it would make her feel fulfilled. But after thirteen years and five kids, when was she supposed to stop wanting more?
Society told her Yakov had lied to her, her whole life. Society said women were more than cattle, bed warmers, or baby-producing machines. Maybe if she ever got to college, she’d be smarter by now, capable of fighting against the role she’s playing. But Yakov had told her she didn’t need college.‘Once you give your husband an heir, we’ll discuss it again.’But they didn’t talk about it again. In fact, her father never seemed to have time.
Two guards, one at each entrance, were in bulky coats to blend in with the crowd. It was one of her requirements with the guards. She never wanted them to be so obvious. Nothing says ‘I’m important, you want to kidnap me’ then to have two musclemen in suits walking behind you.
A minute later, she was darting for the bathroom. A side door between the bleachers brought skaters straight to the locker room. It was only designated for professionals and hockey players, but she slipped right in without anyone caring. It was free-skate day, opened to the public. There wouldn’t be anyone important here. She texted her guard so he wouldn’t come looking for her. She made up a story about tacos, hoping to give her at least fifteen minutes.
As it said in the text message, there was a hallway to the right, and at the end was a door marked ‘Employees only.’ With a single knock, it opened right up, and she slipped inside.
Levka stood in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. His jacket was off, hanging over hockey equipment. He greeted her with a smile, but Luerna wasn’t interested in pleasantries.
Luerna stood for a moment, indecisive, because if she moved the way she wanted, she’d be a harlot. She’d be condemned by God, by Yakov, by her family. She’d be written off and tossed aside. But for the life of her, she couldn’t stop herself.
She dived into his arms and kissed him. Levka chuckled against her lips, holding her hips. But it didn’t take him too long to respond with just as much passion. A hand slipped into her hair, holding her as he deepened the kiss, his tongue parting her lips and swirling with hers.
He pulled back. “I thought–” Luerna had her lips on his neck, and he nearly groaned. “I thought you wanted to get to know me.”
“This counts.”
