A thrill buzzes through my body, leaving my fingers tingling.
Do I want to be Kolya’s prey?
I’m unsure. And this isn’t the time to decide.
“Well, we’re pretty much done here.” I keep my voice steady, but I’m crazy aware of him behind me as I gather my stuff. I reach for my keys to lock up, only to find they’re not in my pocket. I check my bag, the counter, under a stack of construction paper. Nothing. I know he’s observing every movement, each little fidget. My heart rate spikes. “I had them right here…”
He’s closer now, glancing over my shoulder. The air thickens whenever he’s near, heavy and charged.
“Searching for these?”
My keys dangle from his fingers. “They were still hanging in the lock.”
I take them, electricity zapping up my arm when my hand brushes his. “Thanks.” I sound so breathy.
Embarrassing.
He doesn’t move away. Just continues to invade my space, his presence a physical weight.
“Thanks again for all your help today.” At the farmers market, where you almost killed two men. And here, where I would almost swear you stole my keys.
What was I thinking, bringing this strange man to my empty classroom?
“Guess you owe me.” His voice is low, teasing. But his expression is anything but joking. He watches me with intensity, dark gaze flicking over my face and hovering on my lips.
My mind instantly generates a highlight reel of all the dirty ways I could pay him back, each more inappropriate than the last.
I still don’t even know his last name. Novak, if it’s the same as Manny’s.
A knock at the door saves me from myself.
Robbie, thank God.
She pokes her head in, her smile bright. “Chloe, I’ll be starting on the big welcome poster for the hallway if you want to help? Once you’re done with your volunteer over there.” Robbie gives Kolya a not-at-all-subtle once-over.
Heat scorches my face, and a twinge of jealousy zips through me. “In a minute.”
Robbie grins and vanishes, leaving us alone again. Clutching my keys, I usher Kolya toward the door.
“Really, thanks again. You were…”Don’t say scary.“Um. Incredible.”
“Sounds like you need to get to helping with other things. I’ll leave you to it.” Then he’s gone, his departure as efficient as everything else he does.
As soon as the door closes behind him, relief slides through me like cool water. I lean against the thick wood, heart still racing.
I got out of that okay.
But as I spare a moment to catch my breath, I can’t help but wonder…
What exactly did I just escape from?
Chapter 5
Chloe
“And the thing is, it’s all electric. I no longer have to deal with gas cans and that nasty smell while I’m mowing the lawn. How cool is that?”
I force a smile and nod along with Greg’s passionate exposition on his new lawnmower.
