We follow the manager, and as soon as we step into the office, Georgi shuts the door. He bends and grips my hips, lifts me, and sits down on a chair with me on his lap.
He presses my head against his chest before wrapping his arms tightly around me.
“Shhh… Take a moment to just focus on your breaths,” he says in a very calm tone. “You’re overstimulated. Count your breaths and only listen to my voice.”
Noticing that my body is trembling, I close my eyes and do as I’m told.
“Breathe in…and out. It’s just us. I don’t want you to think about how much things cost. I want Simi to have everything. Her smiles and laughter are worth every dollar I have to my name.”
My body melts into Georgi’s, and my breathing slows down.
Once it quiets inside of me, I admit, “I’m scared.”
“Why?”
“It’s only been days, Georgi.”
“Us?”
I nod and turn my face more into his chest.
I feel his breath on my hair before I feel him press a kiss to the top of my head. “What about us scares you?”
“That this is all an act, and as soon as I let down my guard, you’ll become just like the rest of them.” Once the first fear is out between us, the others follow before I can stop them. “That you’re not in your right state of mind because of the torture, and you’ll realize you’ve made a big mistake by taking Simi and me. That you’ll change your mind next week, or next month, or next year. That it will become too much for you to have some womanand her child living with you.” My voice fails me, and I grip his shirt in my fist.
“You are not some woman to me,” he says, and taking hold of my chin, he forces my head back so I’ll look at him. “You arethewoman. Simi isn’t some child I’ll get tired of. I know what I’m in for, Nina. I’ve been in Simi’s shoes, and I would never promise her the world only to rip it away from her.”
Just like last night, his words shift something in my chest, and it feels as if another missing piece clicks into place.
“I’m saying this so you will understand where I’m at. I don’t want you to feel pressured at all.” His large hand cups my cheek, and my pulse speeds up dramatically. “I’m in love with you, Nina. I know it’s fast, but I can’t help how I feel about you. I will give you all the time you need, and once you’re on the same page as me, we’ll talk again. I want you to have peace of mind, knowing how much I care about you.”
I suck in a breath before I ask, “But what if the way you feel is from us bonding under traumatic circumstances and it isn’t love?”
He shakes his head, his eyes drifting over my face with something akin to hunger, and it makes the butterflies return to wreak havoc in my stomach.
“I’ve been with enough women to know when I’m looking at the right one. Since I’ve laid eyes on you, no other woman has entered my mind, and that alone tells me you’re the one. Last night changed things from just caring to falling head over fucking heels for you.”
Seeing the truth in his eyes, all other questions vanish.
I’ve had men drool over me, and Anton was obsessed, but never has anyone looked at me the way Georgi does. The hunger doesn’t feel repulsive, and the affection is…a new experience for me.
When I remain quiet for too long, Georgi says, “Talk to me,moeto hubavo mishle.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I admit.
“Are you okay?”
Am I?
I sift through my emotions before I nod. “I think so.”
Georgi brushes his palm over the side of my head, and his mouth curves into a hot smile. “Are we good?”
Suddenly, I feel the weight of his attention. It doesn’t make shame stick to me like with other men, but instead, hope explodes in my heart and tingles rush over my skin.
I was willing to be his whore, but after rejecting me, he just made it clear that he’s in love with me and wants me to want him.
I’ve never had that before.
