Page 14 of Claim Me
I suddenly felt uncomfortable as if I’d met him before. The sensation was strong enough hair stood up on the back of my neck. There was utter dominance in the way he presented himself. As if he owned me. A heated gaze drifted slowly down the length of my body. The thought was ridiculous but strong, so much so my core was overheating. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe.
Almost as if I was feast for his eyes. His entire aura screamed of power, his posture as if he owned the hospital. My thoughts were jumbled as the shock began to wear off, but I was a very good judge of character.
Yet even though I should fear him, there was something about him I was drawn to. While every coherent thought told me I should be afraid of him, my instinct told me I could feel safe with him.
The idea was ridiculous. I didn’t know him. I’d never seen him before and a man of his prowess and good looks I would remember.
The brief image of the lovely evening performance only two days before splintered my mind.
Thick dark hair crested against his tailor-made charcoal suit, the waves softening his aristocratic features. He had full, rosy lips, high cheekbones, and the two-day stubble covering his square jaw added to his extreme sex appeal.
He had the same appeal that I’d felt about the man in the audience. The man who’d sent the roses and gifts leaving me passionate notes regarding music that seemed to have a distinct hidden meaning.
Perhaps he was the man I’d seen outside my window, forever watching me. Maybe they were one and the same. With Charlie in critical condition, I’d need to remind myself my brother had been extremely concerned about my safety.
Trust no one.
His last warning.
I’d questioned him, but he’d tried to pass it off as typical business concerns. My gut had known better, but I’d allowed myself to hide behind my music. I’d been such a fool.
The stranger finally released me but kept a watchful eye.
Still in my heels, I was forced to tip my head to look him directly in the eyes. Broad shoulders and long, muscular legs added to his predatory persona. The way his jaw clenched made me believe he was used to getting what he wanted.
However, I pushed away from the mystery man holding me, furiously wiping my eyes. This was my private sadness. Not his. He leaned against the wall, never blinking. He could almost be a statue by the way he was standing.
“Who are you?” I demanded, taking another step further away, but I kept my eyes locked on his lips.
He didn’t act as if he either wanted to share the information or had any plans of doing so. I moved toward the door and he stopped me. I knew he was speaking as he blocked me with his massive body, but I couldn’t hear a word he was saying and I was thankful for my slight disability. I needed private time to think and grieve and… Oh, God. What was I going to do?
Vibrations pounded in my ears as I tried to ascertain what he’d said. Show no weakness. That’s something my father had taught me years before.
“What did you say?” All I’d heard was the deep vibrations, but with my mind so muddled, I couldn’t make out what he was saying. It became necessary to look at his face once again, trying to concentrate. I was out of my depth, feeling more helpless than I had in a long time.
The handsome stranger with a body built for sin narrowed his eyes, more than a hint of concern in his gaze. “I said don’t, Marissa. Allow the doctors to try and save your brother. Are you okay?”
Right now, I had no clue how to answer him. Nothing was okay and likely would never be again.
“That doesn’t matter. I’ll ask you one more time. Who are you?” My chest ached from trying to hold back another wave of sobs. I couldn’t break down. Not now.
His eyes lit up as if he wasn’t used to anyone questioning him. In studying his chiseled face, I gathered a connection or perhaps a slight recognition, but how was that possible? He was at least ten years older, yet he was much better looking than anyone my age. There wasn’t just a powerful air about him. There was a firestorm that created an impenetrable haze.
I licked my lips, my throat threatening to close. His presence was far too overwhelming.
“Kazimir Dmitriyev. I’m one of your brother’s friends.” He spoke slowly as always happened when people I just met suspected there was something wrong with me. As if I was stupid. I hated him already for treating me that way. His words were still slightly muffled, but with my hearing range, I caught the different tone as the deep rumble spiraled through my system.
Russian. He was Russian. While my brother didn’t share many aspects of his life and business associates with me, I was aware he had Russian clients. I was no fool. My father had needed a loan. The banks had refused. I’d seen the denial letters, but after my parents’ death, I’d forgotten. Finally, I’d confronted Charlie about my discovery after his behavior had changed.The renovation had taken a toll and my father had been too grandiose in his ideas. With construction costs soaring, he’d resorted to less scrupulous methods of obtaining funds.
After admitting what I’d found, he’d shared a little bit of his inherited financial troubles while acting as if I didn’t have a head for business. Tension had been created, our relationship strained. That’s when he’d started keeping secrets from me, his actions making me fearful.
Weeks had passed of barely talking. We’d been so silly, so stupid.
The one warning he’d given me was to stay away from the Russians. I’d had no interest in the casino and resort my brother had inherited from our father other than that the success had allowed me to attend Julliard. Now I was faced with a Russian with a possessive attitude and a killer smile. Was he merely a monster from the same Russian group breathing down my brother’s neck, here to make certain Charlie was dead?
He studied me with such intensity I felt naked, but the shared scrutinization allowed me to realize how insanely handsome he was. Everything about his presence was electric, almost like the moment of a powerful thunderstorm and the rare appearance of neon blue lightning streaking across the sky. Uncontrollable. Unforgettable.
The man was a force of nature and anyone who crossed his path would find themselves directly in the middle of the storm. I’d never had this powerful of a reaction to anyone. A euphoric rush from his firm hold left me tingling in a way that would usually keep me craving more until I was drowning in the sea of passion.
