Page 18 of Deceptive Vows
“Hmm,” Claire hummed, clearly unconvinced. “I get it, but just... don’t shut yourself off too much, Thea. What if this has the potential to be something?”
“This has the potential to lead me to Marco,” I countered, grabbing my clutch. “Now, stop trying to turn this into some sort of love story. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Claire heaved a resigned sigh. “But if sparks fly, you owe me dinner.”
I laughed despite myself. “Deal.” As if that would happen.
Hanging up, I tucked my phone into my clutch and gave myself one last look in the mirror. The woman staring back at me was polished, confident, and untouchable—my signature look.
The sound of a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and walked through my house with measured steps.
When I opened the door, Nazar stood there in a dark blue tweed suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly. His eyes—sharp and assessing as always—took me in.
“You look...” His gaze traveled from my face to my heels and back. “...perfect.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” I quipped, setting the alarm system, stepping out, and closing the door behind me.
Nazar offered his arm, and I took it. The faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
The November air hit me as we stepped outside, and I suppressed a shiver. Nazar’s driver stood by the open door of a black limo, nodding respectfully as we approached.
Inside the limo, the scent of leather and subtle cologne filled the space. The first few minutes inthe car were silent with only the hum of tires on the road. Nazar sat beside me, not quite close, not quite distant, his posture relaxed but coiled with the kind of readiness that never fully turned off. It wasn’t surprising. A man who ran security didn’t get to relax.
I braced my hand on the seat, touched my chin to my shoulder, and smiled, looking up at him through my lashes. “So, how are we playing this tonight? Am I so smitten by your accent, good looks, and charm that I hang on every word, or is this more like general respect and tolerance akin to a business transaction?”
“You find me charming and good-looking?”
A lone eyebrow lifted. “Are you going to try to convince me that you’re unaware of your attractiveness?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “This will be much easier to sell if you’re attracted to me. I was merely verifying.”
Tease. I loved it. Palming his cheek, I brushed my thumb across his skin. “Easier sell than ice on a hot day.” I dropped my hand. “I guess I should ask the same question.” I batted my lashes.
“In that respect, I havenothing to sell.” His eyes traveled from my face to where the dress met the leather seat. “You are a vision.”
“At least we’re not climbing a mountain then.” My lips lifted in a grin.
He smiled. “Nyet.”
Truthfully, the accent did warm my blood. The way his mouth shaped the words, the rich, low timbre of his voice, and the hint of exotic allure made it undeniably captivating.
“Back to my question then, how are we playing this?”
He shook his head, but I could see his lips curve up at one corner. “I’ll play it however you would like.”
“You don’t have a preference?”
A soft groan. “Of course I have a preference, but I’m trying to be a gentleman.” He chuckled, eyes briefly dropping to my lips.
“Oh, I see.” I shouldn’t have done it—I knew better—but it had been so long since I’d been kissed, and curiosity got the better of me.
I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. Light, testing. The contact lasted only seconds, but it was enough to send an unexpected current through me. Not once in my twenty-nine years had a simple kiss made me want more.
Until Nazar.
Control slipped, just for a moment. I’d always seen relationships as transactions—one party had something the other wanted, and payment was exchanged. But this brief touch threatened my carefully constructed viewpoint.
Straightening, I offered a practiced smile. “I thought maybe I’d take the edge off so that if we’re forced to kiss, it won’t feel awkward.”
