Page 10 of Behind the Lyrics
I’m pretty sure my heart stopped for three seconds.What in the hell ishedoing here?I covered my mouth with one hand and wrapped the other around my middle, as if I could hold in the crazy, careening butterflies tumbling in my stomach.
I glanced through the peephole again.Hmm.I could ignore him.Except I’d already asked him to wait a minute, so he knew I was inside.
How did he even know where I lived, anyhow?
My eyes roved his body. Tall and toned, he was lean with wide shoulders, trim thighs, and carried confidence in every fluid movement. His glorious hair was tied at the nape of his neck, a few wavy wisps defying the constraint.
“Are you going to invite me in, Angel, or just continue to molest me with those lovely wandering eyes?” He grinned, showing his teeth. Two tiny, perfect dimples popped on each bearded cheek. A simple button-up, short-sleeved midnight-colored shirt stretched across his trim chest. A blood-red tie hung in the middle, emphasizing the colorful tattoos on each arm.Damn, I don’t remember him looking this sexy earlier today.
A pounding rush of adrenaline shot to my head. Wait, how did he know I was staring at him? He couldn’t, but since the door wasn’t opening and I wasn’t speaking, he must’ve put two and two together.
I cleared my throat, unlocked the deadbolt, and pulled as far as the chain at the top would allow. “What do you want, Mr. Farrow?”
“Oh, do call me Viktor.” His rich, topaz eyes speared mine then moved lower, following the curve of my shoulders until his gaze rested on the opening of the robe at my chest. “Bad time?”
“It’s always a bad time if you’re dropping by.” I gave myself a mental pat on the back.Nice, Angela. Don’t let him see how much he affects you.
“Ouch.” He propped a hand on the door and pushed himself closer. “I’d like to come in and apologize.”
“Apologize for what? Being a jackass?” I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my stare. “You had to drive to my apartment to tell me? I figured someone asimportantas you would just send a peon to do their dirty work.”
“Actually, I did make my driver bring me.” His face softened. “Come on. Just give me a chance. I swear I’ll be on my best behavior.” He made the sign of the cross over his chest. “Your virtue shall remain intact unless you wish it otherwise.” Sparkles shone from under his half-hooded eyes, and my core tightened.
Shit.Those eyes. So freaking sexy. I should’ve refused him immediately, but I hesitated, the rebuttal lodging in the back of my throat.
With a lazy, almost feline grace, he propped his shoulder against the doorjamb and leaned forward.
The scent of leather assaulted my nose, and I concentrated on my breathing and tried not to shiver with delight.
“If you say no, I’ll be forced to serenade outside your door with one of my favorite songs, ‘Push All Night.’ If so, I’m afraid it might draw a rather large crowd.” His head tilted, and that heated stare met mine. “Once the media gets wind, you’d have quite the mess on your doorstep.”
I slammed the door in his face. He wouldn’t really sing that song.Angry Gods always had some sort of sexual innuendos threaded through most of their hits, but that one was barely veiled and one of their biggest singles.
With a deep breath, I twisted around and leaned the back of my shoulders against the door, closing my eyes, hoping he’d leave me in peace. Something about him made me antsy, and again I wished I’d refilled my prescription.Tomorrow, I’m calling Dr. Huntington’s office.
“Oh, woman you got me up all night,” he scream-sang in his trademark style, a mixture of half-growl and clear alto. “I love that slow smile you spread for me—”
“Dear God.” In two seconds, I had the chain out of its cradle and jerked open the door. “Get in here right now before someone hears you,” I hissed.
With a wink and a mischievous smirk, he pranced inside.
I stuck my head out to ensure we were without an audience. To my chagrin, three college-aged girls stood frozen, eyes wide and staring at the spot Viktor had just vacated. They snapped out of their trance or whatever it was and ran toward me.
“Oh, my freakingGod,” a girl with candy-apple red lips exclaimed. “Was that Viktor Farrow?” She clasped her hands under her chin and fluttered her lashes, tilting her head to try and get a glimpse of the inside of my apartment.
Another one, dressed in Daisy Dukes and a blue halter top, sprinted right behind her friend and stopped. “Can we say hi, or at least get his autograph?” Her bright eyes pleaded.
I retreated and slammed the door, locking it quickly. That leathery, woody scent of his circled around me.
“Hmm.” His breath stirred the hairs on the back of my neck, sending hot tingles down my spine. “It seems I’m not aswashed upas some would believe.”
I turned to meet his stare, giving a small shrug. “There’s no accounting for poor taste.” I maneuvered around him and headed to the kitchen. What the hell was I doing with Viktor Farrow in my cheap-ass apartment? No doubt he’d sneer as soon as he took in the worn carpet, frayed furniture, and chipped countertops.
Reaching to the cabinet above my head, I fished around for two glasses. When my fingertips brushed against the edge of a couple, I pulled them out and set them on the counter.Am Ientertaining him now?The better question, though—what was hisrealmotivation for dropping by?
I was a nobody, as he’d practically pointed out earlier, so I felt out of my depth with uncertainty.
“How the hell do you manage to cook anything in this cramped kitchen?” He stood in the doorway, and his tall form made the area seem even smaller. His presence lingered in the air and wrapped around me with a seductive embrace…or a clunky chain. I couldn’t decide which.
