Page 7 of Rurik
She took a deep sip of her wine. “You thinkso?”
The bartender chuckled. “He danced in a cage with you. He never does that with othergirls.”
Charlotte wasn’t sure why that mattered, but God, it had been so hot, sofucking hot. She was wet just thinking about it. Clamping her thighs together, she tried not to think about what it said about her that a simple make-out session had gotten to her like that. But then, there had been nothing simple about making out withRurik.
She finished her wine and watched the club close down, the bouncers escorting the last of the partiers out and locking up. The lights dimmed, and the fog cleared from the floors. Only then did Rurik reemerge through the back door. He still wore his black-and-red motorcycle jacket, but he held two black helmets and came over toher.
“Ready?”
“We’re not taking a car?” she asked as she took one of the helmets fromhim.
“I do not take my car to the club. I ride my motorcycle.” He held out a hand. She didn’t have to go with him—she could see it in his eyes—but there was a longing there, a need that matched her own. She took a deep breath and placed her hand inhis.
The bartender handed Charlotte her purse, and she let Rurik lead her out onto the street. A sleek black motorcycle with dark green trim was parked on the curb. He stopped and turned toher.
He helped her put the helmet on, then secured his own. He straddled the bike and started the engine. Rain began to fall around them, misting the streets that were still warm from traffic. Charlotte shivered, glad she’d brought a coat. She pulled it on, slid onto the back seat behind Rurik, and wrapped her arms around hiswaist.
“Hold on tight, little one. I’ll see you are dry and warm as soon as I can.” He patted her hands and then gunned the engine. The motorcycle shot forward as they sped into the brightly lit Moscow streets. She watched the world around her blur as Rurik guided his bike into the traffic. Rain made the lights from the cars seem like foggy halos. He was fearless, flawless, and sexy as hell. She never thought she’d have a thing for motorcycles, but tonight she totallydid.
There was something magical about the way they had to work together, their bodies leaning in the same direction as he took sweeping curves for every turn. She felt connected to him in a way she hadn’t expected. They were one being while they rode together, a single blur on the streets of Moscow. For the first time in her life she felt bonded to another person. A person who was a danger to humans, a person she had every intention of betraying at some point. Charlotte swallowed down the uncomfortable burn in her throat just thinking about what had to be done. But not right now. Not yet. Besides, nobody was going to hurt him; all they needed wasinformation.
Rurik finally stopped in front of an expensive-looking glass building and helped heroff.
A young man in a valet’s uniform rushed out. Rurik tossed him the keys before he took off his helmet. Charlotte removed her own, and the young man collectedboth.
She gazed up at the bright lights of the beautiful glass exterior. It looked more like a high-end apartment building. “This doesn’t look like arestaurant.”
“That’s because it isn’t. Nothing good is open this time of the morning. This is where Ilive.”
“Here?” She quelled the flutter of nerves at the thought of going up to his apartment and focused instead on the fact that the building was classy, refined, and didn’t match the gritty biker vibe Rurik put off. Yet this was exactly the opportunity she needed. He would feel safe at his own home and lower his guard. If she could get invited over tomorrow, after she had the serum withher…
He laughed and took her hand, the moment so natural that she didn’t pull away. “Of course. Did you think I would live somewhereelse?”
Blushing, she shrugged. “I don’t honestly know. This building is beautiful.” She marveled at how well their hands fit together and how warm his palm was. They walked through the lobby, and Rurik took her to a set of gold elevator doors. Once inside, he removed a black keycard from his wallet and swiped it through a scanner next to thebuttons.
“I thought we were getting breakfast?” sheasked.
“We are. In my apartment.” He thumbed the button for the tenth floor, and the elevator doorsclosed.
She started to object. She’d agreed to food, nothing else. “But—”
“Don’t tell me you are afraid? You are safe enough with me.” A mischievous twinkle in his eyes sent her pulseracing.
“I’m not afraid, but you changed things. You can’t do that.” She protested a little, but not too much, letting him feel that he was the one who was safe, the one in charge.So far sogood…
He curled an arm around her waist and tugged her close. “Of course I can. I’m the one in control.” She pressed her palms on his chest in an effort to either push him away or touch him. She wasn’t reallysure.
“Rurik…”
He grinned. “I love it when you say my name.” He leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “And you will say my name many times before this night isover.”
That should have scared her, but it didn’t. From the moment she’d met him, she hadn’t been afraid of the dragon side of him—she was more afraid of the man, of how much he affected her. Yet she wasn’t able to turn away. The pull between them, at least for her, was so strong that she stared at him, mesmerized, unable to speak. He didn’t seem to want to say anything either. He held her close, their bodies touching, their faces inchesapart.
Would it be so bad to lean in for a kiss? Just one more? Her resistance wavered, and she was givingin—
The elevator doors slid open with achime.
“My floor,” he announced. The words were simple and direct enough, yet she heard the offer in his voice, the choice of getting off with him or staying inside the safety of theelevator.
