Page 8 of His to Own

This man is clearly shallow. Not surprising given how handsome he is.

“I have to say…” His eyes look me up and down. “You’re a very pretty woman yourself. Young though. How old are you?”

“I’m nineteen. It’s… That’s my birthday,” I motion at the house.

“Ah. You’re the birthday girl. Nikolai told me it was for his wife’s sister. Elena, he said your name is.” He holds his hand out to me. “I’m Maxim Morozov.”

Chapter Two

Elena

The way Maxim says my name – like a caress – makes my face flush. It also doesn’t help the way he’s looking at me. Like he could see right into my soul.

Maxim is an incredibly handsome man. I’m not used to being around handsome men. Father kept me and my sisters sheltered growing up. My all girls high school never let me meet any boys. It wasn’t until college that I interacted with more boys my age, like Alexei.

But Maxim isn’t a boy my age. He has to be at least ten years older. And I can sense from the way he stands with his shoulders back and a relative ease about him that he has power. He’s used to it. That makes him dangerous. Father always warned us about mafia men, stating that because he was one, he knew how dangerous they could be.

Maxim is clearly a mafia man because why else would he be at Nikolai’s house?

It suddenly dawns on me how alone we are. Outside the house. No one else around. Not even a guard. Just me and Maxim.

And he keeps looking at me like he wants to eat me.

I swallow hard. The polite thing to do is to shake his hand but I can’t get my body to move. I can’t make myself talk.

After a beat, Maxim lowers his hand. “You are a tough woman to please, aren’t you?”

“That’s not it. I…”

He quirks an eyebrow. “Then what is it? I’m all ears.”

My face feels like it’s going to melt from how hot it is. Why do I feel so intimidated by this man? Who exactly is he? Must be one of Nikolai’s men because I have never seen him before.

“It’s nothing,” I whisper.

“You’re shy,” he comments.

“Yes. I am. I’ve always been.”

“That’s ok. It’s cute.” He leans in closer to me and I lean back. “Shy girls are always the wildest. They’re hiding things deep down.”

What does he even mean by that?

Maxim gets a laugh out of my discomfort. “I can see you don’t like me.”

“I never said that.”

“Your expression and body tells me otherwise. I’ve been with a lot of women, birthday girl. I know how to recognize when one is uncomfortable.” He nods towards the house. “If it’s your party, then why aren’t you inside?”

“I just needed some fresh air.”

“Not a party girl, are you?”

I can only shake my head.

Maxim’s smile makes my blush turn worse. He is just so handsome, it’s distracting. It makes me hyperaware of my own face. “That’s a shame. I like a good party. Well, I was going to go inside and have some fun but I think I would prefer to stand out here with you. You’re much more interesting.” The way his eyes narrow makes me feel like I’m looking into the eyes of a predator cat getting ready to pounce.

“How am I interesting? I’m just standing here.”