Page 18 of Anton

“What? Missed me already?”

“I guess Volchok can’t be the only one.”

Her smile deepens, color rising in her cheeks, and we head toward the door together, her body brushing close enough to mine that the heat of her stays along my arm even after we step outside. We stop in front of my bike, her attention dropping to it as I reach for the helmet resting on the handlebars.

“You ride?”

“Why? You want to join me?”

She giggles. “I don’t have a death wish.”

“That’s good.” I take the helmet from the handlebar. “Wouldn’t want you dying before I’m done with you.”

Her brows lift, a shocked expression pulling at her features. “I didn’t even know you’d started.”

A low snicker leaves me as I swing a leg over the bike and thumb the ignition, the engine coming to life beneath me. And as I pull away, leaving her standing there with that shocked look still on her face, I know I’m really going to enjoy this.

Maybe even more than she does.

CHAPTER SIX

THORA

The drive back to the farm passes in a blur, every thought circling back to him.

His eyes on me, the way he touched me, especially that line he tossed out.

Wouldn’t want you dying before I’m done with you.

My grip stiffens on the wheel. What did that even mean?

A smile tugs at my lips.

Okay, this is bad. Really bad. I can’t even stop smiling.

How am I going to hide this from my family? I’m seriously the worst when it comes to doing anything without it showing up on my face. If anyone finds out that I’m even talking to Anton, they’re going to be furious.

By the time I pull up to the farm, I’m still replaying every second of my interaction with him. So, basically, I’m hopeless.

Before I get out of the car, I give myself a quick pep talk about staying focused, then make my way toward the petting zoo as the familiar bleating of goats and sheep grows louder.

“Hello there, Zoe.” I stroke my favorite goat.

But my thoughts wander back to him on that bike. To his strong, square jaw and the hollows beneath his cheekbones.

God.

I swallow as desire unfurls in my gut, the image taking a far more erotic turn. Us on his bike, me bent over it, him behind me, my hair twisting in his grasp as he⁠—

“What’s gotten into you?”

I jump, spinning around to find Greer standing there, arms crossed, one brow raised.

“What?” I press a palm to my chest. “You scared the shit out of me.”

She doesn’t move, simply studying me.

“Nah. That’s not it.” Her gaze narrows. “You’re smiling weirdly and have been staring off into space for the last thirty seconds.”