“Did you decide which movie you wanted to watch?” Nadia asked, bending to scratch behind one fuzzy ear.
“No. Actually, I must be going. A few important business matters have cropped up.”
“Oh.” Her disappointment was keen, and Luc delighted in her reaction.
He rose and crossed to her. “Your dismay is shared, my dear. But unfortunately, I mustn’t delay. Would you like me to pick up food for your creature?”
“I can run out. It’s no big deal.”
“Nonsense. I have to head to my office anyway.”
Her grateful smile made him feel ten feet tall. “Then that would be great. All I had was the one can of tuna I gave her.”
“Text me a list of what you need, and I’ll see you receive it in short order.” He left by way of their shared balcony before she could question him further.
Luc chuckled as he recalled her excitement at discovering they were neighbors. Innocent she was, Nadia would never suspect he’d arranged to be close to her. If need be, he could obliterate the separating wall with ease to get to her.
“Luc?”
He paused at the threshold to his place and glanced back.
The wind picked up and teased her pale blond locks. With her bare feet and wild mane, she looked like nature’s child. Wild. Free in a way he could never be.
Unfortunately for her, she was about to realize her very existence came with chains. Yet he’d delay the truth as long as he was able and give himself the time needed to gain her trust.
“What is it, Nadia?”
“Thank you for helping me save the cat.”
His gaze dropped to the pint-sized guardian at her feet. “You should name her Ariel. It means Lion of God. Fitting for one so fierce, no?”
Nadia beamed. “It’s perfect.”
He strode to her and gazed down at her upturned face. With her pillowy lips parted in soft invitation, she personified temptation. Her body radiated her desire for him to act, echoing her racing thoughts.
But he wouldn’t.
When next he touched her, he didn’t want a witness. Certainly not a furry sentinel who may or may not be trustworthy.
He ran his thumb over her lower lip, torturing them both.
“Be well until we meet again, Nadia,” he said as he dropped his arm.
A slight frown tugged her brows together, but she immediately shoved aside her disappointment and smiled. “Be well, Luc.”
Without a backward glance, he entered his condo and closed the slider. He whipped out his phone as he headed straight for the elevator in his foyer. He might not be able to settle up with Michael over Ariel’s predicament yet, but he could certainly punish another.
“Yes, Boss?”
“Find Belthas and bring him to me,” he ordered. “He needs to be taught a valuable lesson.”
“It shall be done.”
Nadia watched Luc stride away with a heavy sigh.
“The man is seriously stingy with his affection.”
“Meow.”
