When Azelie entered, he was seated, but he stood up. “How did it go?”
She shrugged. “I’m going to meet him after my classes. I get out at four or four-thirty and should have enough time to get home, eat something and change before I have to be there.”
“That makes for a long day. When is your lunch break at school?”
“One-thirty, but I don’t have time to pick anything up. I’ll take some crackers with me. I usually sit outside. The campus has quite a few trees and I enjoy feeling I’m surroundedby nature. I have a semiprivate spot I like to claim where I can just sit and relax before my next class.”
“How will you get to the club?”
“I use the bus system all the time.”
Deliberately, he raised an eyebrow. “I’ll come by and pick you up.”
Looking alarmed, Azelie shook her head, an unconscious movement. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Andrii. Alan was acting weirder than usual. I never know what mood he’s going to be in.”
“Do you think I’m afraid of this man?”
“No. But you don’t really know him. I screwed up and admitted to you that I started working for him when I was barely sixteen. I even told you what I do for him. Clearly, he’s into criminal activities. I know he’s all over the celebrity sites and is considered an eligible bachelor, but he isn’t a good man.”
“Neither am I.” Maestro wanted her to keep that in mind. “Still, if you don’t want to be seen with me, I’ll just hang back and make sure you’re safe.”
“There isn’t any reason. You can’t get into the offices. It’s a labyrinth down there and there are security measures everywhere, including guards. As it is, I think he would kill me for talking to you about this.”
“That’s why you haven’t left the job.”
Again, she shrugged. “I just want you safe. I’m going to be fine, but you need to be safe. That’s important to me.”
Maestro heard the sincerity in her voice and read the determination on her face. He couldn’t help feeling a little overwhelmed by her concern. His brothers and sisters in the club looked out for him, but the way she was anxious to stand in front of him felt huge. Important. Better than good.
“All right, baby, have it your way. Save the day after tomorrow for us. I have somewhere special I want to take you. I’ll text you with details.”
He wasn’t leaving without the taste of her in his mouth. That was most likely a huge mistake, but it didn’t matter. Heneeded the taste of her almost as much as he needed his next breath. Shaping his palm around the nape of her neck, he gently pulled her closer, sliding his thumb along her soft skin, tracing her cheekbone.
“Bog, but you’re beautiful,” he said. He meant it. She was a beautiful woman, but he didn’t mean the outside of her. There were a lot of gorgeous women in the world, but he’d rarely met one with her character.
Her long lashes fluttered and then lifted, and he was looking into wild blue. Shy. So endearing. He could see desire in all that blue. He wanted that look to always be there for him. That meant he had to earn it. He had to step up. She was worth it.
He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “You remember who you belong with,Solnyshkuh. I was born to be your man.”
That meant something to her. Faint color crept under her skin, and her eyes took on a glow. He didn’t wait a moment longer, his palm tightening around her neck when he leaned down to brush his lips over hers.
The earth moved under him. The room spun away. There was nothing but the two of them. He had kissed women. Hundreds. Maybe more. A requirement of his training. Since he’d been a free man, kissing was off-limits. Kissing was too intimate, and he didn’t enjoy it—or want it. Now it was a need. An addiction. An obsession.Shewas his obsession.
She tasted as sweet and innocent as she looked. Strawberries and champagne. Strawberries and cream. Strawberries and fire. The longer he kissed her, the hotter the flames burned through his veins. She melted into him, her body pressed tight against his so he felt every feminine curve. So he was aware of the exact way they fit together, as if she’d been created just for him. There was no hesitation on her part. She might not be experienced—and she wasn’t—but she was the best he’d ever had. Would ever have.
Her arms slid around his neck, and she surrendered to him wholly. Gave him everything. Offered him the world,and he didn’t care what kind of dick he was—he was taking what she was offering, and he would treasure her, do his best to keep her happy. And he would protect her with his life.
He poured possession into his kiss. Gave her fire for fire. Held her as close as possible without breaking her with his strength. She felt perfect to him.
Maestro lifted his head just enough to rest his forehead against hers. “I’ve never had perfection. I didn’t know it even existed.”
“I’m not perfect.”
“You are for me.” He pressed his lips against her forehead and then each temple. “I had no idea I had it in me to feel this way about anyone. When I think of some of the idiotic advice I gave my brothers or said to their women, I’m thoroughly ashamed of myself. I’m sure when you meet them, they’ll tell you all about it and I’ll look like a dick.”
“You aren’t a dick.”
“I am, baby. I just hope that side of me stays hidden until you’re sure of us and you can trust me to make up for my foul temper, controlling ways and idiocy when it comes to a relationship.” He forced himself to do the right thing. “I’ve got to go before it’s too late.”
