“Yes.” He had such a serious expression on his face that it made my heart beat faster.
“I feel like I cut in line,” I said truthfully, glancing down at my shoes.
Ruslan hummed. “Because of my connections? That’s how these things work.” He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it, sending a streak of heat to swirl in my groin.
I cleared my throat. “But what if.... Would you have done this if you weren’t trying to impress me?”
He squeezed my hand. “I try to take care of my employees when I can, so maybe. Maybe not. But I like you, and I thought this would make you happy.” A small frown spread across his lips.
My heart leaped. “It did make me happy. I guess I feel guilty. You handed me an amazing opportunity as if it was nothing.”
The elevator door opened, and Ruslan guided me out into the lobby. He gently tugged me off to the side and put both of his hands on my shoulders. When I didn’t look at him, he slid a finger under my chin and tapped it. I forced myself to meet his intent gaze. His true-blue eyes took my breath away.
“It was something I am in a position to do. It wasn’tnothing, I just happened to know a few people. I understand that this is important to you, and that’s why I did it.”
I nodded and took a deep breath as a nervous laugh slipped out of me. “Thank you. I’m just overwhelmed. It’s been a wild few days.”
He lifted my hands and kissed one, then the other. “You’re welcome. Are you enjoying this?”
My entire body burned hot, especially since I could still feel his lips tingling on my skin. “Yes, particularly the parts where I’m with you.”
He let out a long breath and his shoulders relaxed. “Then it’s fine. The rest will work itself out.”
“You make everything sound so easy.” I rolled my eyes and earned a grin from him.
“It is.”
Sighing, I followed him outside. The limo we’d arrived in was waiting at the curb. We were almost to the car when three men in suits rushed up to Ruslan. They were huge, and I was startled, but he didn’t seem surprised. He put an arm around my waist.
“What’s going on?” he asked, and his body tensed against mine.
One of the big men with a blond ponytail glanced at me.
Ruslan waved a hand as if to tell him to go ahead.
“Someone tried to compromise your car while you were enjoying the party, sir.”
Startled, I blinked at Ruslan, and he cursed under his breath.
“Compromise? What does that mean?” I asked.
Ruslan shook his head. “When you’re in business long enough, you make enemies.”
“Uh... okay,” I mumbled, uneasy with the situation.
“You need to take the Hummer to your next location, Mr. Kozlova.” The blond man sent another look at me, but Ruslan cleared his throat, and then the guy treated me like I didn’t exist.
Ruslan sighed and nodded. “All right. Let’s do what we must.”
It was strange how serious everyone was acting, and I was getting some super weird vibes. The men took a few steps away and Mr. Ponytail pulled out his phone to talk to someone.
“Are those guys security guards of some kind?” I stared up at Ruslan. “We’ve had security on set at a few of the shoots I’ve done.”
He hesitated, glancing at me, then nodded. “Yes, precisely.”
“You don’t seem very freaked out that someone was messing around with your car.” I patted his chest. “I would be worried.”
He shrugged. “It happens from time to time.”
