Page 13

I drew a deep breath, standing in front of the mirror, my manicured fingers deftly moving on top of my head, styling my hair into a neat bun.

“This is a bad idea,” I muttered to myself, staring at my reflection.

My light brown eyes shimmered in the room’s soft glow.

I’d made up my mind to honor his invitation—turning him down again would only delay the inevitable. Raziel was never going to give up; he’d press on until I eventually yielded.

In essence, this was bound to happen anyway. It didn’t matter how much I resisted; his persistence would win in the end. Besides, this was a chance for me to get to know him more and find out the kind of man he was. This date was for his own good; it was a part of the drill, and it would be beneficial to both of us.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that, that tiny little voice in my head spoke again.

I’d deluded myself into believing that I was only doing this so I’d find better ways to help him. But deep down, I knew the truth, and I was avoiding it in any way that I could.

It was easier for me to believe the lie I’d cooked up than to face the harsh reality. Maybe living in my own delusion was cowardice, but at least that way, I wouldn’t have to beat myself up too much.

Once styling my hair into a bun, I lowered my hands and smoothed out the wrinkles on my elegant red dress with my palms. Gently, I swayed left to right, my eyes checking out my figure, which was accentuated by the gown.

Raziel Tarasov might be a brute with anger management issues, but the man sure had good taste. The gown he’d gotten me fit my body perfectly, hugging me in the right places. It was a little too much, especially with the slit at the base of the dress that revealed a glimpse of my thighs. But overall, the outfit was beautiful.

To complement the dress, I chose my finest pair of heels—my favorite black pair—and they made me look inches taller.

For someone who claimed there was nothing attached to the date, I sure took my time to look good and smell even better. I made sure that I was dressed to perfection, and a part of me couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he saw the dress on me.

I leaned into the mirror, my eyes locked on my reflection, and with a quick, expert twist, I opened a lipstick. I smoothed the bold red shade across my lips with a deliberate stroke, the color blooming like a rose on my mouth.

With a subtle smack, my lips melded together, the movement almost imperceptible as I fine-tuned the lipstick’s application.

Satisfied with my complete transformation, I straightened and heaved a sigh, my face radiating with a soft smile. Then, I heard it: the sound of a vehicle pulling up by the sidewalk outside my place.

It had to be him.

My eyes darted toward the wall clock, and I realized that it was a few minutes past nine o’clock. It was him. I was sure of it.

It was as if I lost my breath, and my heart stopped for a moment. I turned toward my window, but the curtains stood as obstacles, blocking my view. Although I couldn’t see the car parked outside, I knew my date had arrived.

I took one last look at my reflection in the mirror before grabbing my purse from the table. My heels clicked against the fine wooden floor as I headed out of the room, turning the lights off before leaving.

The moonlit enveloped me, casting a silver glow over the quiet street as I stepped out of the house. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers while the soft chirping of crickets seemed to provide a soothing background hum. A neighbor’s dog was still barking incessantly in the distance as a gentle breeze blew across the street.

Feeling the air against my face, a sense of calm washed over me as I breathed in the serene atmosphere. However, this fleeting moment of peace was short-lived the second I set eyes on Raziel Tarasov.

My breath lodged in my throat, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw him leaning casually against his black SUV. The man was so smoking hot that he had me transfixed, caught in the snare of his charm and charisma.

His dirty-blond hair was slightly tousled, as if he’d run his fingers through it, and his impeccably tailored black suit highlighted his imposing and powerful physique.

I felt a flutter in my chest, and my heart raced like a galloping horse as I drank in the gorgeous sight of him. For a moment there, I forgot about how dangerous and cruel he was. In fact, I had yet to understand how someone as handsome as him could be capable of being so evil. It didn’t make much sense to me.

Raziel Tarasov was way too handsome to be the devil that I knew he was. And the way he effortlessly stirred up these emotions in me was alarming—scary as hell. I knew instantly that I was in trouble— big trouble—but I couldn’t turn back.

The man exuded an air of charm and confidence that was both captivating and intimidating. The moon’s ethereal glow danced across his features, highlighting his chiseled face and ruggedness.

Raziel’s light eyes locked onto mine, his piercing gaze seeming to see right through me. I felt my pulse quicken, and a jolt of electricity surged through my body. He smirked, a low, seductive curve of his lips that melted my heart.

He was ridiculously attractive, and there was no denying that. Raziel Tarasov was hot, the kind of hot that made me want to fan myself and look away, but I couldn’t. This man had my eyes glued to him.

His brows arched as I approached him, and the faint smirk on his lips prompted a small grin to spread across my face. His eyes roamed my body with a flirtatious glint flickering in their depths. “You look exquisite tonight, Clarice,” he said, his voice low and husky, dripping with sincerity.

I couldn’t help the smile on my face, couldn’t stop it from broadening as I halted in front of him, my cheeks flushing. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” I replied, meeting his gaze with a composed exterior despite the turmoil within me.

He stared at me for a moment before adding, “You know, with the way this dress hugs your curves…it’s a crime to cover up such beauty.”

His smooth tone sent shivers down my spine, almost disrupting my composure. But no, I wouldn’t let his remarks shake me enough to let him read my emotions like a book.

I felt my cheeks warm, and I held his gaze, my voice steady. “Are you trying to flatter me, Mr. Tarasov?”

“We’re not in your office tonight, Clarice. This isn’t one of your sessions, so Raziel will be just fine,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine.

He was essentially telling me to let go of the professional part of me and see him as just a regular person—not my client. If I did that, then my voice of reason would be right after all. This professional part of me was the only thing I used to console myself—to tell myself that this was still part of the job.

He moved away from the car and bridged the distance between us, his close proximity quickening my pulse and rendering me almost speechless. “What if flattering you is the goal?” he whispered, his eyes still locked on mine. “Would you say it’s working?”

I maintained my composure, pretending to be unfazed, unaffected by his wry smirk and handsomeness. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Raz.” A smile twitched at the corners of my lips. “Not every girl is easily swayed by your charms.”

His eyes lit, burning with a sense of intrigue. “Well, the night has barely begun, so it’s still a little too early to jump to conclusions.” He flashed a faint grin and opened the front passenger door without breaking eye contact.

My brows furrowed slightly, and my lips pursed, suppressing another smile, but I said nothing.

“After you,” he muttered, gesturing toward the open door.

My eyes shifted from his face to the waiting car, and I hesitated for a moment. I knew that once I got in that car, things would no longer be the same between us. I could delude myself all I wanted, but the truth remained that I was consciously looking for trouble. Would I be ready when it came knocking?

I exhaled softly and damned the consequences of my actions as I slid into the front passenger seat, and he slammed the door shut behind me. My heart was hammering in my chest as my eyes followed him through the car’s windscreen.

Effortlessly, he glided over to the other side, opened the driver’s door, and got inside. Raziel glanced at me before shutting the door and starting the car. The engine came alive, its revving sound filling the car’s cabin.

The scent of rich leather wafted through the air, mixing with the manly smell of his cologne and the feminine aroma of my perfume.

As he drove away, he stole a quick glance in my direction and began softly, engaging me in a conversation to fill the awkward silence, “If I’m being honest, I didn’t think you were going to accept my invitation after your cold rejection earlier.”

The smile playing on his lips and the air of comfort he’d effortlessly created helped me relax; I appreciated this version of him. I didn’t think he had in him to be somewhat playful. Maybe this date wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“Well, you didn’t exactly leave me with much of a choice, now did you?” I replied, suppressing my smile, but it still managed to reveal itself.

“So, persistence is the key,” he teased, his eyes fixed on the road. “Got it.”

My smile broadened, and a quiet giggle escaped my lips. “I must say,” I began, staring in his direction. “You do have good taste in women’s dresses.” I smoothed my palms down the gown that highlighted my lap.

“Oh, solnyshko , you limit my good taste to just dresses?” he teased, his lips twitching at the corners.

I wasn’t sure he called me, but I thought it was Russian. Maybe I’d ask him later, but not now.

Shit! I actually was starting to enjoy his company.

“Well, what other areas do you have good taste in—aside from cars, of course?” I indulged him, watching him drive carefully.

“Women,” he said, his tone soft and endearing. “Why do you think I invited you to dinner?” He looked at me for a moment, his smile widening.

Dang it! I hadn’t seen that coming, and now his words had caught me off guard, almost throwing me off balance. However, I must retain my composure at all costs.

“Still on the business of trying to flatter me, I see,” came my reply, my lips pursed and my eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Is that the way you see it?” he asked, stealing another glance at me. “Because I’m just being honest.” His shoulders shrugged casually as he steered the vehicle down the streets of Los Angeles.

“Works on every girl, every time, doesn’t it? Your ‘honesty’?” I asked, air-quoting the word. I knew I wasn’t the first girl he’d used that trick on.

He looked at me for a second, his expression soft. “If I told you that you’re different from the other girls, would you believe me?”

“Probably not,” I replied, yet I was unable to prevent my smile from revealing itself.

“Fair enough,” he muttered, unaffected by my response.

My eyes drifted out the window, gazing at the city’s vibrant nocturnal rhythm. The streets thrummed with energy, a dynamic fusion of music and laughter. Headlights seemed to cast a hypnotic glow over the pavements as the city whizzed by outside my window.

The nightlife was in full swing, a dazzling spectacle of twinkling lights and honking horns.

I returned my gaze to him and asked the question that I should have earlier. “Where’re you taking me anyway?”

He glanced in my direction and replied, “I would tell you it’s a special place, but you’re not gonna believe me.” His eyes crinkled at the corners.

“Special?” I raised my brows, my tone laced with skepticism.

“See?” He chuckled softly, pointing out the disbelief in my voice. “Not to worry, we’re going to one of my favorite spots in the city.”

Favorite spot, he said, and now I was interested in knowing what he had in store for me.

I could ask more questions, but I didn’t; I just returned my gaze outside the window, my head against the glass.

Not long after, we drove to an upscale restaurant in the city, and Raziel eased the car to a stop outside the sleek modern building. Its exterior—a glass and steel facade—glinted in the moon’s glow.

“We’re here,” he said, looking at me.

“Your favorite spot is a restaurant?” I asked, my surprise palpable

He flashed me his signature smirk. “The food will make you change your mind. Trust me.”

Raziel didn’t strike me as the type of man to be interested in his stomach. Therefore, there must be something about this place that drew him in. If he said the food was great, then indeed, the food must be great. It would take a good chef to make a man like him praise this place. Now, my curiosity was piqued.

We both got out of the car and headed to the majestic building. Soft golden lighting cast a warm glow over cream-colored walls adorned with lush greenery.

As we stepped inside, the cool environment enveloped me, and my eyes adjusted to the lights as I drank in the sophisticated clientele. The air was alive with the gentle hum of conversations, the clinking of fine china, and the muted strains of classical music.

Couples and small groups of impeccably dressed folks occupied the elegant tables, their faces aglow with candlelight. The sweet fragrance of fresh flowers and the aroma of exquisite cuisine wafted through the air, teasing my senses. The ambiance was elegant yet intimate, and I couldn’t help but feel out of place.

Raziel’s fingers grasped mine, and at his touch, I felt a flutter swell within me. He led me to our table nestled in a cozy alcove near the floor-to-ceiling window. The table was set with crisp white linens, fine crystal, and a delicate floral arrangement.

Raziel pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit. I hesitated for a moment, but eventually, I took my seat. As we sat, the waiter, a poised and polished man with a discreet smile, approached us.

“Ah, Mr. Tarasov, welcome back, sir,” he greeted him, halting in front of our table. His eyes flickered to me before returning to Raziel. “I see you brought company.” A sheepish smile played on his lips. “That’s a first.”

“Yeah, well, I thought it was time to break the tradition,” Raz replied with an enigmatic grin.

“Indeed.” The waiter’s gaze lingered on me for a moment, his expression neutral, but his smile remained. “Anyhoo, we’ll be sure to take good care of the two of you tonight.”

“Thank you, Jacob,” Raziel said to him.

“Shall I start you off with some wine and appetizers?” the waiter asked, his gaze shifting across the two of us.

Their voices trailed off as the two men deliberated on what to get us. I hadn’t thought it was possible to see this somewhat soft side of Raziel, and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by this version of him.

The waiter’s subtle remark didn’t go unnoticed. He’d claimed that I was the first woman Raziel had come here with, and somehow, that statement made me feel special. It was strange that I felt that way, but I couldn’t help it.

I lowered my head, trying to suppress the warmth spreading across my chest.

So far, everything was going fine, and as the night unfolded, I began to ease into it, relaxing and enjoying Raziel’s company.