Page 10 of The Tsar's Obsession
Those beautiful green eyes didn’t leave mine, and I felt unnerved, shaking inside from this unusual meeting and conversation. I wanted to participate in whatever was going on between us, but I was also deathly afraid of it.
“You’re not wrong; it’s not nonsense.” Kirill conceded and stared right into my soul. “Except that…I’m not looking, Mia. I already found her.”
Discombobulated. That’s how the rest of the day felt after my meeting with Kirill. The gorgeous stranger burst into my open house, then my office, took away all my clients, questioned me about my personal life, and already had a meeting set up with me for the next day. There was no other word for it—he discombobulated me.
Before I could run out of the office at the end of the day and go home to dwell on how I lost control of this transaction, Ari caught up with me.
“I know I’m an idiot. I’m sorry for busting in like that today.” Surprisingly, genuine concern showed up in his eyes. “Let me make it up to you,” he spoke quietly and walked beside me. “Come with me to the sales event; I have a car waiting downstairs. We can stay for only an hour; we’re promised a percentage of sales. We just have to show face.”
Ari pleaded. Kirill commanded.
God damn it, I had to stop thinking about that man. The sales night suddenly seemed like a welcome distraction. I relented, and in a few minutes we werealready weaving through New York evening traffic. I tuned out Ari’s monologue, and my mind innocently floated back to the mysterious Russian man again.
Undeniably, his physical features were striking: tall, broad-shouldered, and damn, those green eyes—so easy to drown in. My curiosity intensified with every passing minute. Why did it all feel strange? Why did he have so much money? What kind ofbusinesscould he be involved in to have amassed such a fortune at such a young age?
He had a slight accent when he spoke, missing an article here and there. It was cute, like he learned the language somewhat recently. Overall, his vocabulary was rich. He must have spent hours studying or working in English.
I wanted to see him again, but as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I hit the brakes. I couldn’t, Iwouldn’t, approach a working relationship this way. Did I get an intrusive thought of his hands somewhere on my body? Yes. But I shooed the image away with alarming speed.
I was a professional; I excelled in my business and my work. I wouldn’t jeopardize my career for some random man I’d just met, even if he looked like a Greek god. Or maybe a Russian god.
Instead, I delved into my working life, ignoring the fact that I resented it. The broker’s event was packed with fake, boastful, envious energy, and Ari thrived in it. He bloomed, shaking hands with everyone, his permanent smile shining in the crowd.
All the usual top agents were here, enjoying their drinks and finger food. Before I could engage in empty conversation, I picked up a glass of white wine, landing my lips on the rim like it was a life raft. I didn’t even want it, but I’d needsomethingto get through tonight.
My phone buzzed, and without thinking about it, I was already pulling it out of my purse. A random collection of digits showed up on the screen—what number started with a plus?
+79057770101:Mia...thank you for meeting me today. For tomorrow’s showings, it’s possible to start earlier? 5pm. Looking forward to seeing you again. K.
K.A jolt of excitement pulsed through me at that little letter. How didKget my cell phone number? I guarded it like a prized possession, never sharing it with anyone except family and close friends.
Everything about Kirill was unusual, including his ability to show up in places unannounced and know too much information. I chewed my lip and wiped my sweaty palms on my thighs, thinking about what to respond while I added his number to my contacts.
Mia:Who is this?
My eyes burned through the phone screen, all my blood flowing faster through me. This was exciting, like I’d never texted before—like this was the first man I’d ever flirted with. But as soon as I thought that, I remembered that woman beside him. She was so unbothered, walking around like the owne–
Someone grabbed my hand, intertwining their fingers with mine and squeezing it. I dropped my gaze to see Ari—again—holding me tight and pulling me into him as if we were a couple, like this was all normal. This guy could not take no for an answer.
Another text buzzed, and without even sparing Ari a glance, I ripped my hand out of his, clutching my phone.
K:You know who it is. 5pm tomorrow. Get home safe.
Oh. He knew I wasn’t home…
I sidestepped Ari and meandered through the crowd, my wine and my phone right in front of my face like a shield.
Mia:And what if I’m busy?
Mingle time was over, and the speaker was about to take his place. I plopped into the nearest chair, waiting for those three little dots to appear in the text conversation. This wasn’t good. I was willingly walking into all the traps Kirill was setting up for me.
K:Not for me. I’m your only client.
Damn it! I had forgotten all about that!
Twenty minutes ticked by. Thirty. Forty. I counted the time, waiting to text Kirill back. But also, where the hell was Ari? I scanned the crowd and tiptoed around the room, but he was gone—no text, no explanation. Probably ditched me for a client. I couldn’t fault him for that.
Relieved to be out of there, I took a cab home and left my phone facedown on the nightstand for the rest of the night.
