Shock jolts through me, and I push him away.
“Um, we can’t—someone will catch us in here,” I mutter, taking a massive step away from him, pulling my shirt straight and wiping my hand over my mouth.
Honestly, I don’t give a shit about who might catch us. I would let him take me right here against the shelf. But my heart—my heart isn’t listening to me anymore.
I’m falling for him, and I can’t be falling for him.
The moment emotions get involved, there is the danger of getting hurt, or distracted from what I came here to do.
“I should go home and leave you to work,” I say, smiling tightly, pulling the office door open.
“Yana, I’m done here for the day. I’ll take you home,” he sighs.
I wait tensely out in the hallway, then follow him towards his main office so he can get his things.
Chapter 15 - Benedikt
Ulyana and I have been tiptoeing around each other all week. It’s driving me crazy. I thought she was letting her walls down, but all she’s done is build them higher since we were together that night. And all I want to do is break them down and be with her again. My mind is constantly haunted by images of her beautiful body beneath my hands, writhing against me. I can’t sleep properly, and I can’t focus on work. My head is distracted and messy and it’s not good for me.
I’m sitting at my desk, staring at my laptop, having read the same line in the same email about ten times now—and I still don’t remember what it says. I slam my laptop closed. This is pointless. I’m not getting anything done today.
I can’t think straight.
Last week, Nestor finalized the temporary alliance between Ardalion and me. That is sorted out, despite the fact that I am not happy to be working with him in any way whatsoever.
I made itveryclear that it was strictly for the purpose of taking down this common enemy, nothing more. Once Miron is out of our lives, my alliance with Ardalion is over.
I get the feeling that Nestor hopes things will change while we work together now. But I see Ardalion for who he really is. An arrogant snake. I don’t trust him at all.
Things won’t change between us.
I don’t want Ardalion thinking he can start making deals on my turf and get away with it. I still despise his cocky face, and honestly, I want nothing to do with him. But sharinginformation is simple enough. I can manage it. It’s not like I have to sit at the same table as that asshole and have dinner.
But even now, when I should be focused on work, on alliances, on solving the trouble Miron is causing—I’m focused on her instead.
It’s just past four in the afternoon, and I’m sitting here thinking about Ulyana. I miss her. Strange to admit it, but she’s become such an integral part of my daily life that having her avoid me over the past few days is affecting me. It’s created an empty space for me.
We eat breakfast together most mornings, and almost every night we have dinner together. But she’s been staying in bed a bit later or telling me she’s not hungry in the morning and at night at the dinner table, she’s been quiet, not her usual talkative self. She’s polite and hasn’t outright fought with me—but we haven’t spoken properly in days. Things are tense.
I miss her laugh and that cheeky smile she throws in my direction when I’m annoying her.
She’s at home now, apparently reading in the living room according to my security guys. I’ve seen her get lost in those books for hours.
I can picture her there, curled up on the sofa, her feet tucked beneath her and one of those beautiful leather-bound books resting on her knees. When she reads, she pouts a little. It’s the cutest thing.
Suddenly, more than anything, I want to be home with her.
I don’t have to be stuck in this office. It’s pointless if I’m not even working. I’m leaving early today. I’m over this.
Standing up, I push my office chair backwards and start gathering my things. I slip my laptop into the drawer, shove my phone into my pocket ,and grab my car remote and my jacket. I’m going home to see my wife.
As I’m walking out, Tiara waves me down and runs towards me, looking flustered. “Sir, I have a list of meetings for you for early next week and you need to call—"
I hold my hand up to stop her. “I’ll deal with it all tomorrow. Thank you.”
She stammers, pulling her mouth tight. Mild panic flashes across her face. She’s a very jittery human being. I’m not sure how they thought she was a good fit for me in my line of work.
I chuckle, shaking my head.
