Page 180 of Kiss of Seduction

When Evie entered the dining room, she was treated to a sight she’d never experienced before; a Natalya so lost in thought she didn’t immediately notice Evie walk in.

Natalya was at a table, already fixed with plates and wine glasses. She was running a finger over her lips and staring into nothingness. She made a gorgeous display, wearing a flowing black dress and with her long, dark curls hanging loosely past her shoulders. Her golden-brown skin radiant, her movements elegant, and her face open and at ease. Her beauty would have stunned anyone. For Evie, it was the contemplative look in Natalya’s eyes that made her stop in place.

Then Natalya turned. Seeing Evie, she smiled with such earnest happiness Evie couldn’t help but beam right back at her.

“You look beautiful,” Natalya said as Evie approached the table. She greeted Evie further by standing and giving her a light kiss. “Though you always look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Evie looked down at herself. “And thank you for the dress. I don’t think I’ve ever worn anything this nice before.”

“So many thank yous. I’m just happy you showed up.”

Evie grinned. “I was a bit surprised you wanted this, actually. Going on a date is strangely ordinary after everything that happened. It feels weird.”

“There’s plenty to celebrate. Adateis a good way to do that, don’t you think?”

She wasn’t wrong. Therewasplenty to celebrate. Plenty to feel happy about.

Varro Visconti was dead, as were his progenies. There was nothing left of him, not even his most loyal guard. Fiends had ripped him apart, and the Heartlands no longer suffered his influence.

Hasan had been made the new Regent, bringing with him the same doctrines and tenets of his Maker. Under his rule, the Heartlands territory was safer than it had been in decades. The night was no longer riddled with terrors. That was why Evie could go to the restaurant despite the darkness. She knew Varro’s men wouldn’t be waiting in the shadows.

Everything was near perfect. The days were calm and made warm by the arrival of summer. They were made warmer by Natalya’s presence and the knowledge that she was safe. By the knowledge that Evie herself was safe.

Only one thing wasn’t perfect. It was what caused Evie’s hand to sometimes drift to her neck, touching the bare skin where there had once been a Chain pendant. They hadn’t been able to find her necklace at the estate, and whenever she remembered it was lost, it summoned a tensing feeling in her stomach.

“Do you know what you want to do next?” Natalya asked after a few hours of truly lavish dining. “You can go anywhere now. With Varro gone, you don’t have to stay here anymore.”

“I know,” Evie said. “I think I will, though. I like Chicago. And I didjustget my hours back at the studio. I even got signed on for some weekday classes, so now I teach more than just pole dancing. I don’t see myself leaving.”

“Lily and Blake will be happy to hear that, I'm sure.” Natalya smiled. “They came to see you every day while you were in the infirmary. They were worried.”

Evie returned the smile. She knew Natalya hadn’t left her side while she was unconscious. She’d barely been away from Evie in the time between leaving Varro’s estate and Evie getting out of the infirmary.

“They worry too much.”

By the look in Natalya’s eyes, she understood who Evie was really referring to. “They can’t help it.”

Evie chuckled. “It’s strange though. Everything is so different now. Everything changed so fast. It’s weird not being scared all the time when I was so used to it.”

“Maybe getting out on your own would help. We have the apartments available if you want a new place to stay.”

It was a genuine question, though it was one Natalya obviously didn’t like asking. Seeing her trying to appear casual was amusing enough to make Evie laugh.

“I’m okay living in the high-rise,” Evie said. “It’s nice there. I like it. And I have good company.”

“Am I that company?”

Evie put her hand on Natalya’s, feeling wonderful warmth flowing through her body at the touch.

“You’re not company, Natalya. You’re much more than that.”

Evie was surprised when Natalya looked down at the words. She was fighting a grin, it looked like.

“We have apartments in the high-rise as well.” There was a knowing smirk on her face that made Evie laugh again.

“And they’re probably great. But I’d like to keep things as they are. I’d like to stay with you. If you don’t mind.”

“I far from mind, darling.” Natalya intertwined her fingers with Evie’s, and the contemplative look returned to her eyes. It was like a thought had seized her, drawing her into hypotheticals and pulling her from the present.