Page 66

A tight knot forms in my throat. “No, he likes me. He wouldn’t just dump me because of that.”

Would he?

I stare at them both, but no comfort comes.

Konstantin leans back in his chair. “You must tell him, Dinara, or it will be worse.”

The air is thick with dread. I don’t know what to do, but I can’t let him go. Cillian’s perfect. He’ll have to understand.

“I’ll tell him,” I whisper. “This weekend. I’ll make him understand.”

“Good,” Konstantin says. “Now go. Have fun with your brother and sister. We have business to discuss.”

I stand, trying to hold it together as I walk out of the office.

As soon as I’m out, emotions hit me all at once.

Every memory.

Every laugh.

Every second I’ve spent with Cillian in this short time rushes through my mind like a movie.

And as the weight of this new information presses down on me, I know one thing for sure: nothing will be the same once Cillian finds out.

CHAPTER14

CILLIAN

I’ve been countingdown the days until I see her, and each one feels like an eternity.

The fact that I can’t just jump on the jet and be with her whenever I want drives me insane. But between my work and her college schedule, it hasn’t exactly been practical.

She’s been quiet the last week, playing it off as stress from exams. I get it; I’ve been in her shoes. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder if something else is going on. Maybe something at home, something she isn’t telling me. I figure I’ll get a read on her once we’re face-to-face.

Rolling up to the entrance, I hand my ID to the guard. He checks it against his tablet and then, with a click, the gate opens.

I take the left turn like she told me, heading toward house number six. A red sports coupe sits in the wide driveway, flanked by two SUVs—one of which I know is Boris’s from the plates.

Stepping out of the car, my shoes hit the pavement as I make my way up the stairs. Before I can reach for the bell, the door swings open…and there she is.

Fucking perfect.

She’s in a short, flared black dress that hugs her in all the right places, her hair falling in thick waves over her shoulders. Those long, tanned legs, the thin heels that make me think of her wrapped around my waist. And that bracelet—the one I got her—glistening against her wrist like she’s wearing it for me.

God, I can’t wait to get my hands on her.

I’ve never come in my pants just by looking at a woman, but I may start now.

“Are you gonna keep staring, or are you going to come here and give me a kiss hello?” Her pink lips tip up at the corners, and I remember to breathe.

“Damn, baby.” I drag my gaze over her, taking in every inch. “You got all dressed up for me?” I close the last bit of distance between us, my hands aching to touch her.

She shrugs, her hungry gaze sweeping down my body, and I like it—like knowing she enjoys what she sees too.

“Looks like you did the same.”

“Oh yeah?” I grab her jaw and bring her mouth dangerously close to mine. “Are you saying I look pretty?” My lips curl, mouth stroking hers.