Page 34 of Possess Me

This time, I couldn’t see who he was talking about, but what he’d said sounded feasible. “Go on.”

“Mmm… There’s a boat out in the water. They’re playing music. Just off to the right, something is being tossed against the rocks. I can’t tell what it is. I could swear I hear a strange sound.”

This time, I could confirm he was right. If I listened just enough, I could hear some strains of the music. Heavy metal from what I could tell. “Very good.” As far as the object, I could see something in the surf, a higher tide coming in. I concentrated for a few seconds but couldn’t tell what. Still, I wasvery impressed. “You’re right about the boat and something is in the water, but I don’t hear another sound.”

“Perhaps my senses are playing tricks on me. What next?”

I checked to see if his eyes were still closed, surprised that they were. “Tell me about what you smell.”

“Mmm… That’s easy. Gardenias are just off the deck.”

They were.

“And one of my favorites. Arabian jasmine. The flower is used in creating perfumes and is also used in religious ceremonies.”

“You’re a walking encyclopedia.” I was still smiling. Just drawing attention to the incredible fragrances was an intoxicating moment.

He leaned forward until I gathered another dazzling whiff of his aftershave. Why did powerful men always wear the most incredible evocative scents?

“Like you, I am a voracious reader. Although I must admit I don’t remember the last time I read a romance novel.”

“You’re missing out. Doing so might teach you a thing or two.”

“Well, then. I’ll add it to my agenda for the weekend. You wouldn’t happen to have a book you could lend.” His smile was far too beguiling.

“Maybe.”

“Or better yet. Why don’t you read me a few pages of what you’re reading?”

I burst into laughter. “As I said before, I don’t know if you can handle the heat.”

“Oh, you might be surprised, Captain Zimmerman. Go on with your tests.”

“Alright. What color are my eyes?”

His brow furrowed and he blew out of the side of his mouth. “Dark brown.”

“Nope.” I popped the p.

It was his turn to laugh. “I know your eyes aren’t brown, Fallon. They are without a doubt the most incredible shade of light green I’ve ever seen. They remind me of young, freshly cut grass just after a spring rain and with the gold flecks encircling your irises, it’s as if the sun splashed a hint of magic in both eyes. Truly unsettling and mesmerizing.”

I shrank back, forced to blink a couple of times. There was no reason to keep the sunglasses on.

When I said nothing, he dared open one eye again. “How did I do?”

“Surprisingly well. I’m never had anyone describe my eyes with such verve.”

“Everything about you should be described that way, Fallon. As I said, you are a beautiful woman.”

As Hendrik approached the table, I narrowed my eyes. “Did you order champagne?”

“No, although that’s not a bad idea.”

“This was sent to your table, Mr. Dmitriyev, as an apology to Ms. Zimmerman,” Hendrik said and immediately placed two flutes in front of us. Almost immediately, a look of annoyance crossed Vissarian’s face.

“Sent by Hoffman?” His tone had turned demanding. Possessive.

Just like I’d heard the moment he’d walked to the table, interrupting Mr. Hoffman’s proposition. I was no fool. I’d gathered almost instantly he’d been attempting to gain information about Vissarian. His forcefulness had pissed me off, but I’d been willing to play along for a few minutes in a public place to learn more about the powerful Russian myself.