But then another thought slips into my mind, and I bite down hard on my lip, my face scrunched.No, it can’t be.
But it is. And it’s very, very bad.
I don’t just feel physical attraction for Marlen. It’s something so much deeper than that.
My heart is involved. It’s stupidly aching for him.
I have feelings for him!
It’s so reckless of me to let this happen!
Marlen finishes with the client downstairs, and I see him heading back up to me. My heart stammers with tension, anxiety bubbling through me. How am I supposed to act around him?
I can’t let myself fall for him. These feelings I have… I need to put a stop to it.
When Marlen walks not the office, closing the door behind him, I do what I do best. I cover my anxiety with teasing.
“That was a riveting scene. Quite exciting to watch,” I say, grinning. “You really put on a show for me.”
Marlen chuckles. “Yeah, Fabio likes to go overboard with the dramatics. That man has a few too many screws loose in his head. But I’ve learned how to handle him over the years,” Marlen says, walking over to me, noticing my cheeky smile.
He slips his arm around my waist and pushes me up against the glass. “Did you enjoy the show?” he asks, his voice dark and devious. He’s picking up on my energy, sensing my desire.
My heart races faster as I try to rein in the emotions entwined with the attraction. He traces his fingers over my jaw and tilts my head up. His lips hover an inch above mine. My breathing becomes heavy as his eyes pierce into me.
“I did… I thought you were… very commanding…” I stammer, trying again to tame my heart, but it’s not working.
Marlen leans even closer, and his lips lock over mine. His kiss is tender, yet forceful as he handles me with confident control. The desire to fully give myself to him increases. A deep-seated, alluring ardor pulses through me. But it’s tainted by the knowledge that whatever happens between us is temporary. This is a brief chapter in my life that won’t last. The more I give myself to him, the more painful it would be when it ends.
One day, my brothers will find me and take me home.
Chapter 17 - Marlen
The week has flown by, and when Friday arrives, I still have a lot to get done before I can enjoy a free weekend. I’m hoping to have some time to myself so that I can spend it with Stefania. Maybe I can take her hiking or to the botanical gardens. Somewhere pretty and surrounded by nature. It will be a nice change for her from being walled in that mansion day after day. Lately, I’ve been wondering how much longer I can keep this up.
She deserves a lot more than what I’m putting her through. She’s proven her trust, she’s even proven that when given a direct opportunity to escape… she has no plans to.
So, what are my plans for her? She can’t live locked in my home forever. But I also can’t fathom letting her go. I’ve come to rather appreciate her being around. More than appreciate it. Somehow, I need it.
Shaking my head, I sigh out loud as I walk across the street toward the building of one of my clients, to meet with him before he goes on lunch. It won’t take long. I just need him to sign off on some documents agreeing to our new rate increases. Business is doing well, we’ve cut out some smaller clients to focus on the bigger ones because our time is limited. With the high demand for our services, we get to charge more. That’s how the world works.
He can stay with us or find another way to move his funds.
Around me, the city is busy. People are coming and going, hustling, eager to finish their work day and start the weekend.
I walk into the foyer of the building. My shoes echo on the stone floor in the high-ceilinged, empty space. There is one single desk up against the far wall.
“Can I help you, sir?” A young man stands to greet me.
“I’m here to see Irvan Kole,” I say.
“Mr. Popov?” he asks. I nod. “He’s expecting you, sir. You can go up to the eleventh floor; he’s in the boardroom.”
“Thank you,” I say, heading toward the elevator.
Irvan is sitting at the long glass boardroom table, reading the newspaper and drinking coffee, when I walk in. “Marlen, good to see you, man, it’s been a while. I keep meaning to say hi in person, but you know how it goes. The days fly past, and before you know it, it’s a new year!” he laughs heartily.
“I know exactly what you mean, thanks for seeing me today, I appreciate it,” I say, shaking his hand, then sitting one seat away from him.
