Except, the sunshine in pink is lying through her teeth. That no one has noticed how Lucie hides behind exaggerated smiles and exuberant laughter is beyond me. Pain is written all over her face.
“Irina, always a pleasure,” I greet the hostess before giving Lucie my full attention. “Lucie.” Her name is pure ecstasy on my tongue.
It’d be even better if it were Lucie Kovac.
That will never happen. I’ll die soon anyway, that was always my destiny. I’m twenty-eight years-old. I don’t think I’ll make it past thirty. I’ve already been lucky to go this far. My brother is never going to let me escape him.
For a millisecond, Lucie’s mouth tightens at the corners. I want that dark purple lipstick she wears all over my skin. A second later, she turns on the kilowatt smile, flashing perfect white teeth and cute dimples. That right there, that hiding shedoes, it makes me want to dig. It makes me want to chase her to the ends of the Earth just to uncover her darkest secrets and deepest desires.
I let my gaze rove over her, from her toned calves and thick thighs to the hips I long to hold in my grasp, the rolls of her stomach I’d want to sink my teeth into and the generous breasts on display in her pretty gown. Her neck is left bare. I can almost imagine my teeth marks there, and clench my jaw to stave off my reaction to that particular image. The blush on her round cheekbones is lovely, her eyes darker from this close up, inviting me to drown in them.
I take a step forward, barely aware of Irina leaving us alone in the hidden alcove. Nothing else matters when I’m in Lucie’s orbit.
“Are you hiding from me?” I ask, voice rougher than I intend with how much she affects me, and she swallows like the question makes her uncomfortable.
“Of course not. Why would I? I don’t really care about you. I don’t even know why you’re here.”
My grin widens at her abrasive tone, so different from when she cried in my arms when Dante was taken, a weakness she didn’t allow anyone else to see. Maybe that’s when it all started. My obsession only deepened after I saw fat tears roll down her cheeks, raw emotions wafting off her as she cried, grieving when we couldn’t find her cousin, taken by an enemy who was more shadow than man. Her soft body against mine was ecstasy even though her tears made me want to rip the world apart just to make her okay again.
“Sorry,” she quips before dropping her gaze to the floor like her being anything but a perfect sunshine would offend me.
I crowd her space until I can smell that intoxicating flowery perfume she wears.Anaïs Anaïsby Cacharel. I bought a bottle to spray my pillow with but it’s a pathetic copycat for how it smellson her golden skin. I lift my index finger to her chin, tilting her head up, our eyes colliding once more. “Don’t hide your thorns,Ružica moja.”
“You don’t know me,” she retorts weakly, pupils blown wide.
“I’m willing to learn.”
She takes a step back and I don’t follow, my hand hovering between us. My words are too close to the truth, a temptation I have to resist. For her sake.
“Presumptuous much,piccolo? I literally got divorced last week.”
That nickname she gave me,little one… It makes my chest rumble with pleasure but I hold it in.
“It was a fake marriage,” I shrug, good-naturedly, eager to come back to neutral grounds where I’m not five seconds from pushing her against the wall and finding out what she tastes like.
It’s a strange urge since I’ve never kissed anyone. I knew the moment I showed interest in someone, my family would destroy them just to punish me from enjoying something, anything.
“I’m done with criminals,” she declares with attitude, pouting and crossing her arms over her chest.
Her breasts are spilling over the top of her dress but I stay focused on the peachy blush on her cheeks. The little mark of frustration is uncharacteristic for anyone who thinks they know Lucie. I love it. Unfortunately, I’m a very simple creature and she just issued a challenge. She’s making it really hard to resist her, and she doesn’t even know it.
I never back down from a challenge. I don’t tell her thatthiscriminal isn’t done with her, and switch subjects.
“I have something for you.”
Taking the small package from my pocket, I hand it to her, clenching my fists just so I don’t fiddle with them. I’m riddled with an irrational fear of her disliking my gift. I’ve been beaten, threats to my life were common while I was in Croatia, yet theprospect of Lucie refusing my gift or hating it makes me want to hide. I’ve never given anyone any, so it’s a first. Not the only first I hope she’ll take from me.
Her shoulders sag and her face brightens with unrestrained joy. Her real smile is dazzling. It’s reserved for only a handful of times and a handful of people. It’s making me feel some kind of way to be on the receiving end and I don’t know what to do. So I do nothing.
You’re too stupid and useless.My father’s voice rings in my head and I shake it away. He has no place where she shines.
“You didn’t have to.” She rips the paper eagerly, though, her actions at odds with what she said. It’s always the case with my little rose. I have to find the true meaning hidden underneath layers of protection.
In her hands, carved in wood, are three objects, attached to a keychain. A wine glass to represent France, a ferry wheel for London, and a motorcycle helmet.Mymotorcycle helmet.
She observes each object carefully, grinning the entire time.
“It’s so detailed. Where did you get this?”
