Hugging it to my chest, I watched him take long strides toward the door. Without turning around, he walked out.
The dress was pretty enough, but I was too old for frilled sleeves. An idea swarmed around my mind. Reaching all the way to the back of the closet, I pulled out the sparkly halter-neck dress I’d found abandoned in one of the many bedrooms. I’d tucked it out of sight. Like a raven hiding a shiny object, I’d claimed it. Though I’d not expected to wear it, not really. It had been more out of curiosity for finding another clue about who this man was and the people he knew. It had made me wonder if the woman this belonged to might visit.
Within a minute, I had stripped off my clothes and was looking at my reflection wearing the dress in the dark glass of the window. The clingy material highlighted my curves and pushed my breasts up. A little loose around the hips, but it still stunned with its glamorous style.
The dress probably belonged to an old girlfriend, and it was going to be super awkward when he saw me in it. He’d no doubt be furious and change his mind about making me have dinner with him. I’d take pleasure in seeing him shrink in embarrassment when he saw what I was wearing. He’d realize I knew about his secret lover.
After brushing my hair, I hoisted the waves up and clipped them to create a sophisticated style that showed off my neck. Rummaging through the makeup bag I’d also found in the same room as the dress, I set to work applying a kind of war paint—a dazzling application of natural foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and bright red lipstick.
Checking my reflection in the window on the way out of the room, I was surprised to see so little of the old Anya because a curvaceous, sexy woman was staring back. Gone were the innocent eyes that were now shielded behind long black lashes and my mouth a bright red pout.
I made my way to the top of the stairwell and saw Cassius waiting for me below in the foyer. Straightening my back to elicit pride, I descended with my hand sweeping the banister on the way down.
Cassius looked up and fixed his intense focus on me with each step I took. My confidence soared as though shielded by the splendor of this dress.
He drank me in. Tucking his hands into his pockets and standing straight, blinking as though processing the woman before him.
When I made it to the last step, I clutched the handrail and waited for his reaction.
Only there was none. He merely stood there as though I wasn’t. Seeing through me, calmly observing. If he was waiting for my move, he wasn’t going to see it. As though both of us played this dark game of who would crack first under pressure.
I became breathless when he stepped closer. Peering up at his beautiful and yet haunting eyes, the way they crinkled with fascination. The way he emanated a stark energy that seemed impossible to contain. My core rippling with an uneasy sensation. Letting out a shaky exhale.
He reached into his jacket pocket and removed a white handkerchief, pressing it to my mouth and wiping off my lipstick. Bringing the material to his own lips, he moistened it, then returned it to my mouth to continue wiping away my bright red rebellion. The way his touch caressed my lips felt forbidden.
A ghost of a smile appeared curling at the edges of his mouth, shattering the illusion. “You’ll do.”
With his hand around my upper arm, I was being led toward the door. Anticipation welled in my chest that we were going out, beyond these walls to where my chances of escape increased with every passing second. The heat of the evening embracing us as we stepped into the courtyard, met by the chanting cicadas that hummed loudly around us.
Heart hammering with the hope that soon others would see me,I climbed in and then dipped my head as I slid into the passenger seat of his SUV. My captor slid in beside me on the driver’s side.
“Where are we going?” I asked, pulling on my seat belt.
He gripped the steering wheel. “I thought it might be nice to dine out tonight.”
There was so much to this man I hardly knew. Though what I had gathered in the short time we were together was that each decision, each action carried with it an alternative motive. This wasn’t just dinner; this was something else entirely. I’d go along with it, too, because freedom lay on the other side of those walls, and tonight, he was the one taking me beyond them.
When he flashed me one of his endearing smiles, it threw me all over again. He was too relaxed, too confident to show any concern about losing me tonight. Maybe, just maybe, he was letting me go, setting me free. For some reason, that unsettled me. That tonight might be the last time I’d see him. It made no sense as I clung heavily to my deepest fear. Cassius was the first man who’d ever seen me—looked beyond the woman I was and actually seen me.
He drove the car through the tall double gate that had slowly swung wide before us.
I imagined what it would feel like if he slid his hand over and took mine in his. If he showed a flash of affection, how it would affect the evening moving forward. His touch softened the edges of all the hurts that had gone before.
Digging my fingernails into the seat to steady myself, annoyed I’d actually gone there, played with the impossible idea of us.
It didn’t matter how much I fought against it. I wanted to know how his lips would feel like pressed to mine. What it would be like to be kissed by him, tongues swirling, being held against him.
I cursed him for it. “How do you sleep at night?”
He scratched the back of his neck. “Fine. Thanks for asking.” His mockery had me gritting my teeth.
“Are you taking me home?”
“No, Anya, I’m not.”
We were heading fast into the city, lights brightening the night sky, and pedestrians mixing with locals and vibrant tourists. People were flooding the streets and bringing alive the city I hardly knew.
“Who was she?” I turned in my seat to look at him. “Another kidnap victim?”
“What are you talking about?” He glanced over.
“Whoever owned my dress.”
He smirked. “The one you stole?”
“Borrowed.”
He agreed with a nod. “All in the details.”
“It’ll be awkward if it belonged to your mom.”
He shot back, “You’re not the only woman in my life, Anya.”
My chest tightened with this revelation. He had a lover, a woman who kept her clothes and toiletries at his place. I’d be naïve to think a man this handsome didn’t have a girlfriend. A lover he got to spend those lonely nights with.
“Let’s hope she’s not going where we are,” I said. “That would be awkward.”
“I imagine it would.”
“What’s her name?” I pushed.
“Sofia.” He took his eyes off the road just long enough to study me. “She’s my sister. The dress you found belongs to her.”
Relief came with a flash of heat to my cheeks. He glanced over and caught my embarrassment. “Where’s she now?”
“Far away.”
“Bet you wouldn’t like someone kidnapping her.”
“How about you play nice tonight?”
“Yes, let’s try to enjoy ourselves.” My sarcasm practically dripped all over the floor.
The car turned onto Royal Street, and after a minute or so of driving down the busy road, we pulled up outside the front of Hotel Monteleone.
Cassius gestured to a valet as he opened the door. He got out and closed it behind him with a slam. With seconds to escape, I pulled on my door handle, ready to leap to freedom before he could make it around to my side. My shaky fingers slipped from the lock, and I was sure he’d heard my failed attempt to bolt.