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In reality, the closest he ever came to being in another country was visiting Epcot every summer for the past twenty years.

“Did you know that in France they consider a grilled cheese with tomato a delicacy?”

Sipping my beer, I tried to sound interested. “No, I didn't know that.” Backing away slowly, I quickly said, “Excuse me, Uncle Jeff, the ladies room is calling.” Walking away, it didn't take him long to rope in another set of ears.

Crossing the room, I smiled at familiar faces, never once giving anyone the opportunity to speak to me. I needed a break, a moment to myself to collect my thoughts.

I thought I'd be able to handle this, but it was a little overwhelming. My mind was starting to wander to a time where I was happy, where my smiles were real and heartfelt. Back when I had everything I ever wanted.

You need to let go, Gwen.

Turning the corner that leads into the hall, I was looking at my feet, trying to avoid the eyes of everyone around me. Hitting a wall, I took a quick step back, and looked up.

“Hi.”

My eyes expanded to the size of saucers as all the air in the room seemed to get sucked out. I couldn't speak, I couldn't think, I couldn't move.

Forcing myself to breathe again, I blinked rapidly. “Hi.”

That was all I could get out, one simple word to match his. Yuri had taken my breath away, the same as he always had.

Smirking, he raked his fingers through his hair, his eyes twinkling with little fireworks. “How are you?”

Swallowing hard, I didn't answer right away. I wasn't sure what I wanted to say. My brain fired off in a million directions, but only a few words came out.

“What are you doing here?” Stepping backwards, I put some distance between us. He was too close. I could smell his cologne, I could feel the heat off his body, I could hear the air as it seeped into his lungs.

And all of that did things to me that it shouldn't anymore.

Yuri let his gaze drift around my face, riding the length of my body. “God, you're still just as beautiful now as ever, Gwen.”

The compliment seared my ears, making my blood bubble with a strange mix of excitement and anger. I wanted to scream at him to leave, I wanted to hug him and feel his arms engulf me.

There was pull, a magnetic sensation that kept tugging on my muscles, trying to force me into his grasp. It was wrong, a trick of lost time and unfinished business that wanted to build a new foundation.

But it wasn't real.

“I asked you a question.” Letting my arms dangle at my sides, I looked around to see if anyone else noticed the intruder. “What are you doing here?”

Yuri took a soft step forward, his eyes never leaving mine. “I'm here for the party.”

The way he said it sent my body up in flames. His tone was deep, husky, playing every muscle in my body as if he owned them.

He did own them, once upon a time.

“You should go.” Darting my eyes between his, I tried to figure out why he would just show up here this way.

“I saw you the other day in town.” His feet brought him closer, making me all too aware of my own body and the rush of adrenaline that had started to pump through my veins.

It wasn't my eyes playing tricks on me.

My heart was beating erratically, my chest was tight, my nipples hardened as the space between us dwindled down to nothing but a few inches.

Yuri lifted his hand to my face, sweeping his thumb across my jaw. “You know I never stopped thinking about you all these years, Gwen, not once.”

Tipping my head into his hand, I closed my eyes instinctively. It was a reflex, something I had done so many times before. I felt his lips as they traced the shell of my ear, making goosebumps explode over my skin.

You know who he is, you know what he's done. . .