The Prelude (A Musical Interlude Novel) - By Kasonndra Leigh Page 0,16
the black sedan moved away from the curb. Call it instinct, or maybe it’s just that I spent enough time learning how a gang targets someone. Either way, the warning going off in my head wasn’t going to leave me alone until I pacified the cause of it. And right then, something was pounding inside me, telling me that Erin was in danger.
After briefly saying goodnight to my family, I rushed toward my car and headed in the direction I saw the sedan last move toward. Swallowing hard, I exhaled when I caught up with both the taxi and the sedan at a stoplight. Whatever plans the driver had for Erin were obviously thrown off by my arrival.
She’ll either peg me as one of those strange men who follow women home, or she’ll think I’m a desperate bastard who doesn’t know how to handle the word no. That last part holds some truth in thought. I won’t deny it, which is why I’m about to make a fool out of myself when I get out of this car.
She tells the taxi driver goodnight and then does a double take when her gaze turns toward me stepping out of the car. I stuff my hands in my pocket and walk up to where she stands on the sidewalk running along the outside of the building.
“You followed me home?” she asks, an incredulous look on her full lips. Hell no, I won’t vocally answer that question.
“I don’t do the stalker thing,” I say, sounding weak. “You left without seeing me first, the way I asked you to do.”
That statement brings a sarcastic smirk to her face. “Oh, that’s right. I remember who you are now. The great Aleksandr Dostovsky wouldn’t be caught dead doing something like that, now would he?” she teases.
“I told you before, it’s Alek Dostov. That name is easier on the less acrobatic tongue,” I explain. Her cheeks turn a deep pink color. I can’t help but to smile.
“Less acrobatic? As in, your shorter name is easier for us Americans to say? That’s pretty mean, teasing me that way.”
“I’d never mock you for being American. Mother would rip me apart for doing something like that to one of her people.”
“I see. Your mother’s American?”
“Born and raised in Austin. What do you call Texas? Ah yes, the Lone Star State.” I’m flattered by her intrigue with my dual heritage.
“That explains your odd accent, and your sister’s vocabulary. She’s a bit over the top with the way she uses American slang.” She’s lost in an afterthought of some type. I don’t think she realizes that she’s smiling to herself.
“There’s not a thing wrong with being on top every now and then. What do you think?” I ask, watching the color in her cheeks deepen to a deeper shade of pink. I enjoy saying things to make her blush.
“I think we need to stick to the reason you stopped by,” she mutters without looking directly at me. I can’t help but feel a tad frustrated. An image of her full breasts, and the wondrously delicious things I could do to them flashes through my mind. I clear my throat and pull out my diversion tactic.
“Your contract,” I say, holding out the paper.
Her face droops. She’s disappointed; but she’s trying to hide it. Everything about her is so controlled. I wish I could act that way. Then maybe I’d make Mother happy by settling down with a wealthy woman and giving her a lot of little Aleks to enjoy. The thought terrifies me.
“This says you’ll have exclusive rights to the Black Butterfly brand,” she reads aloud. “I don’t know, I…”
“Only for this line. Meaning you can’t sell the ideas to my rivals.” I like the way the wind teases the loose strands of hair blowing around her face.
She tucks her full bottom lip in and frowns. After a short moment, she says, “I’m going to need some time to look over this. And I’d rather Luca gets a chance to see it before I give you a solid answer.”
“Understandable,” I mutter and stuff my hands back in my pocket. What is it about Erin that does this to me? I’ve never had a woman bewitch me before. I always hear my friends talk about stupid things like that happening to them. Even Nikolai has experienced a bewitching moment before. But this is the first time I’ve ever felt the urge, the desire to protect a woman I barely know. It’s time to run.