Page 80 of Ruined Vows
My head jerks toward her. She’s smirking, sipping her juice like she didn’t just blow up the entire language barrier between us.
“What,” I say slowly, “the hell was that?”
She shrugs. “I studied abroad. Languages stick.”
“You understoodallof that?”
“Every word, soldier.” And she gives me the biggest grin.
Son of a bitch.
How did I forget that? I thought I was being clever.
The old man chuckles, pleased with himself. “She’s clever,” he chuckles. Then, looks me dead in the eye. “You’re doomed.”
Bianca raises a brow at me and shrugs. “He’s not wrong.”
I look at the man. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
He shrugs. “I call them like I see them.”
I can’t believe this woman. I know I’ve met my match. I can’t believe she hasn’t caved already. Now I’m wondering if I can make her fall first.
Later, when we’re washing brushes and the seniors are haggling over who gets to take home the extra paint and cookie, Bianca chums up beside me.
“You did good, Petrovic.”
I shrug. “They’re tough. I respect that.”
She bumps my arm. “You surprised me today.”
“You’ve been surprising me since day one.”
She glances up, and her eyes are softer now.
“You gonna kiss me again?”
I smirk. “Depends. You gonna let me get to third base on the next date?”
She laughs. “Not a chance.”
I lean in to whisper against her ear. “Then I’m saving myself,” I smirk.
The ride back is quiet in the kind of way that says everything without trying to fill the space.
She’s leaning against the window, hair down now, wind tugging at the loose strands. There’s a streak of yellow paint still drying near her elbow. She hasn’t noticed, and I don’t tell her.
I like it there. It’s a reminder of our date, and it’s unapologeticallyher. Just… Bianca.
When we pull up to her building, my driver hasn’t unlocked the door.
She looks over at me. Still waiting and still watching.
“That was nice,” I say, and the words feel foreign. It was better than nice.
She arches a brow. “You say that like someone held a gun to your head.”
“No. I mean it. It was…” I clear my throat. “Needed. It was special.”
