Page 5 of Branded in Love
The woman’s face is stuck in my mind and I cannot stop picturing it as I make my way back home. After a twenty-minute walk, I make it out of Via Pomarancio and turn right into Via Monte Parioli, when the unexpected happens.
I see her.Her. She’s walking on the opposite sidewalk. My heart jolts into a quickened beat. Is she following me? “Oh gods…” I mumble, rolling my eyes back. Just when I thought I’d never see her again.
The woman senses my piercing stare. Her eyes fly open when she notices me. I expect her to be startled and ashamed, caught in her spying game. But she’s not. Why else would she be around here? She’s following me. I guess I really made that great of an impression…
She glowers at me. “Stop following me,” she says.
I halt, astounded. “What?” I frown.
She stops too. “Stop. Following. Me.” Her voice is hoarse with frustration.
I stiffen, as though she’s struck me. “I am absolutely NOT following you.” The words sail through clenched teeth. “You’refollowingme!”
The corner of her lips twist in utter exasperation. She folds her arms over her chest. And now we’re screaming at each other across the street.
“Silenzio!”Someone silences us from a window above.
I swing my head forward, away from her, and keep moving on the sidewalk. The woman’s scent is completely overwhelming; but somehow, my anger subdues my impulse to cross the street and shut her mouth with a passionate kiss.
Stop thinking about her.But how can I? She’s across the street, moving in the same direction as I am! Why is she doing this? Is she torturing me on purpose? Where is Sasha? I need him to come to my rescue.
The front lawn’s cypress trees rise a few feet ahead. The minute I reach the gates, I press the intercom. I do not want to linger here longer than necessary. I’m suffering enough as it is, having her so near. The butler buzzes me in as soon as he sees me through the camera. I push the gate open, but I can’t stop myself, and I look across the street one more time before I step inside.
The woman is standing at the same street level as me, house keys in hand, and that fearsome bag strapped on her shoulder. She glares at me, biting the inside of her cheek. “You have got to be kidding me,” she says in a low voice, inescapable to my sharp senses.
“What now?” I snap, arms wide, palms facing skyward. Ever since I met her, she’s been impossibly rude. Not to mention, she hasn’t even thanked me for saving her life. “Does my home offend you?”
She exhales sharply and shakes her head a little. The woman then turns around, facing the gates that stood behind her. Her delicate hand enters a code into the buzzer. The gates open.
“Son of a….” The words drift into silence. “You live there.” I gasp in undiluted disbelief. My expression remains as flat as my tone.
Her hazel eyes fix on mine. She’s no longer glowering, so there’s that. She simply nods.
Fuck. This is a nightmare. My gaze shoots skyward, sweeping the five-floored building that rises behind her. I wonder which one is her apartment…No. Stop. Don’t think about that. You’ve got to stop thinking about this woman, no matter how alluring her scent is!
That’s it. I’m moving out of here.
“Stay safe,” I tell her as offhandedly as I can, immediately regretting every single word. What’s the matter with me?Stay safe?I could have done so much better than that.
“Gavriil,” a voice calls from the intercom’s speaker. “Are you coming in?” It’s Sasha. He speaks in Russian.
The woman hesitates while pushing the gates further.
“In a minute,” I tell him in English. One last look at this gorgeous woman. “Good night, I guess.” I shrug my shoulders.
When I face my gates once more, my expression slips into a painful frown. I wince. Ugh. I want to bang my head against the iron bars, but I figure I’ve frightened this woman enough for a single evening.
And then, the unforeseen happens. “Good night,” she says. Her voice is soft and warm. Not at all angry. “Neighbor,” she adds.
My heart stops. I subtly turn her way and stare at her with uncertainty.Leave now, Gavriil. Walk away before you say more stupid nonsense.
I give her a quick nod and cross the gates fast.
6
GAVRIIL
Ilie on the bed, not even under the sheets, because I know covering myself would be completely useless. One look at the bedside table and I read the time. 3 AM. I haven’t been able to sleep, and I won’t be able to sleep. Not when I know she’s but a few feet away from my reach. Why could she not live on the other side of the Tiber, or better yet, in another city? Florence would be nice. Anywhere, really. Now I’m just rambling...
