“What’s your name?” I ask her.
She hesitates, just for a breath. “Tessa. Tessa Monroe.”
It suits her. Smooth, refined.
I take her hand before she can pull away, pressing a slow kiss to the top of it. “Konstantin.”
Her lips part slightly, and she doesn’t look away. “Pleasure.”
“Oh, believe me, the pleasure is all mine, dorogaya.”
Her gaze flickers with something unreadable. Amusement? Intrigue? Temptation? I can’t yet tell. She’s like a puzzle I need to crack.
I don’t let go of her hand right away, running my thumb over her knuckles. Her skin is warm, soft. A contrast to everything I am.
When I finally release her, she doesn’t move. Just watches me, a mischievous gaze dragging over my body like she’s assessing every inch. Like she enjoys what she sees.
A dangerous thing.
Her mouth angles up when she catches my eye.
“Oh, do not let me interrupt you. Please, keep staring. I find myself enjoying it.”
She laughs. “I think I’m done now.”
“And was it to your satisfaction, Ms. Monroe?”
She brushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and I very much would like to do that myself. “I guess you’ll never know.”
There’s a teasing edge to her tone, and I let out a deep, dark chuckle.
“I very much doubt that.” With another slow swig of my drink, I’m unable to stop my gaze from feasting on this beautiful woman. “If you need anything else, it’s on me.”
She arches a perfectly manicured brow. “Why?”
Because I want to keep you here. Because you’re the most interesting thing in this room.
But I just shrug instead. “Consider it a welcome gift, since I’m pretty sure you’ve never been to this bar before and I happen to own it.”
Her fingers glide along the condensation, marking her glass. “I don’t accept gifts from strangers.”
I won’t be a stranger for long.
Gripping the edge of her stool, I pull her in, her knee brushing mine. “Then get to know me.”
Her lips twitch. “Tempting.”
I chuckle, finishing off my drink, then push off the bar. Adjusting my cuffs, I lean in close enough that my breath warms her cheek, my lips ghosting over her ear.
“Think about it. Enjoy your night, dorogaya. I’ll see you later.”
She inhales sharply when my mouth lingers, her composure slipping for the first time, and something in my chest tightens with satisfaction.
As I step back, every part of me wants to stay, which is very new for me. I don’t know what it is about this Tessa that makes me want to peel back every layer and taste what she doesn’t let anyone else have.
Instead, though, I walk away without looking back.
Except I don’t have to.
