Page 50 of Love to Defy You
“I knew I sensed a kindred spirit.” The muscles in his jaw relax. “Money can get you anywhere, but earning the respect of the one percent? That’s another hurdle entirely.”
When I first arrived at the President’s Academy of Olininburg, I felt like an outsider among the ultra-wealthy sons and daughters of oligarchs. And they reminded me that I wasn’t a part of their inner circle at every opportunity. Alek’s parents thought I wasn’t good enough for their son, and even though he won’t admit it, his mother still doesn’t see me as a suitable girlfriend. She probably never will.
We turn the corner into a less-traveled corridor in the building, and Enzo comes to a stop. “I believe I owe you an apology.”
I pause my footsteps. “Huh?”
Am I imagining the pinkish hue on his cheeks?
He hesitates, rolling his bottom lip between his teeth. “I may have read into something that I thought was there between us. That night at the restaurant, I... I thought we had a moment.”
I gulp down the sudden dryness in my throat.
“I thought we were flirting.” He lets out a nervous laugh and runs his hand along the back of his neck. “I realize it was just wishful thinking on my part.”
When I used him to rile up Alek, did I lead him on? Shit, of course I did, and I didn’t feel bad about it.
“Aren’t you with Birgitta?” I ask.
He shrugs. “We aren’t exclusive.”
I fold my arms. “Does she know that?”
He steps closer to me, so close we’re almost touching. “Birgitta knows her role as my pythia.”
When I inhale, I breathe in his alluring cologne. “And what is my role as Alek’s pythia?”
He lifts his hand to sweep my hair off my neck, and his knuckles graze my skin. It affects me, knowing he wants me despite having a girlfriend, and even though I’m taken. Enzo’s attention is forbidden, and it sends electric sparks dancing across my exposed flesh, which works its way down to my core.
But that’s all I want from him: his attention. Nothing more.
“You’ll find out,” he whispers, leaning so close that his mouth hovers over mine. “But I’ve never seen a pythia more suited for the role than you. I knew it the moment you walked out of the restaurant that night.”
Our faces linger close, his breath mixing with mine in this sensual dance.
“Hmm, that’s all you’ll tell me? What a letdown.” I pull away abruptly and turn my back on him. As I walk, I feel his dark gaze on the sway of my hips.
As expected, he follows, remaining five paces behind me to enjoy the show I’m putting on. Our footfalls are the only sound in this quiet, abandoned hallway.
He doesn’t say anything for a while, not until I reach the stairwell. “If you ever get bored with Kurochkin, let me know. I would worship the ground you walk on.”
I snort. “I know you would.”
He lets out a low groan. “Fuck, you’re killing me, Willow. How long are you going to make me wait?”
Without looking over my shoulder, I continue down the stairs until I reach the first floor. “You’ll be waiting forever.”
“We’ll see about that.” His voice grows rough. “I’m very good at biding my time.”
I reach the exit and push the door open. The chilly November air whips at my face, and I draw my fitted coat closer around me.
Enzo jogs to catch up until we’re side by side once again. “Do you have room for one more at Thanksgiving dinner?”
“Jesus, you’re persistent,” I say, though I can’t help but laugh. “I think Alek will kill you if we show up together, and then he’ll kill me. By saying no, I’m really saving your life.”
Conversation comes easily with Enzo, which is unexpected, and I’m not sure what to make of that.
He bumps his shoulder against mine. “Come on. Use me as a pawn for your little mind games with Aleksandr. It’s a delight to watch you play.”
