‘Yes.’ She couldn’t help herself any more—not after what she’d sampled last night.
She’d never known what it was like to be kissed, really kissed, as he’d said. She could see the raw desire in his eyes and it terrified her, in an exciting kind of way. But still that night of her prom haunted her.
‘But I can’t.’ She stepped back into her apartment and he came in after her. She’d as good as invited him in.
‘Can’t or won’t?’
‘I won’t. We are not in a relationship. This is just a deal, Liev, and only requires perfunctory kisses in public. It does not warrant behind-closed-doors passion.’
For a moment, she thought she saw him flinch, but she had to bring their deal into it. If only to remind him of what she’d claimed last night and to remind herself this wasn’t what she wanted—or needed.
‘My apologies.’ His words were velvet smooth but still that sizzle burned in his eyes. ‘You are so very beautiful, it is hard to remember the terms of our agreement.’
Now it was her turn to flinch. He was reminding her of his power over her—and it had nothing to do with their deal and everything to do with the man himself. ‘You may have blackmailed me in order to get me to represent your company and the acceptance from society you crave, but you will never have anything more of me.’
‘Ah, I see. Saving yourself for Mr Right?’ His words were light and flirtatious, not a hint of anything that suggested any kind of malice. But what he’d said had struck a chord. What would he say if he knew she was a virgin, that she had hardly been kissed? What would he do if she told him just how much she wanted to be kissed by him? A real kiss.
‘Something like that, yes.’ She couldn’t help but goad him as embarrassment made her brash, and was rewarded with the surprised rise of his brows. ‘Goodnight, Liev.’
* * *
As Liev got out of the taxi the next afternoon, he wondered if he had the right address. Everything about the neighbourhood brought back his past. Then he saw Bianca, looking like a flower in the desert as she walked towards him.
‘Why are we here?’ he asked, trying to ignore the fire of desire which rushed through him just from seeing her as it mixed with thoughts of his own youth in an area not dissimilar to this deprived street.
‘The interview.’ Her delicate brows drew together and she looked at him suspiciously. ‘I’ve arranged for it to happen here at the shelter.’
‘Shelter?’ This was all getting too close to his past for comfort. Had she any idea what she was doing? What she was unlocking and forcing him to face?
‘Yes. Bluebird Family Shelter.’
Anger brewed furiously. She really was intent on bringing out his past and exposing it to the world. He was about to tell her no, that this was a mistake, when a young man joined them.
‘Good of you to agree to this, Mr Dragunov. I’m Nick. I run the shelter.’
Liev shook his hand. There was no way out now and he consoled himself that by doing this he’d be highlighting the plight of youngsters without homes. ‘My pleasure.’
‘Great. Let’s go and meet some of the lads.’
Aware they were also promoting their engagement, Liev took Bianca’s hand and followed Nick inside the graffiti-covered walls, his past rushing back at him.
‘Afternoon, Miss B,’ one youth said as they walked through the building to a small walled area outside at the back of the tall brick building, which reminded Liev of a prison.
‘Afternoon.’
For a moment Liev was too stunned by where he was to notice the respect in the lad’s voice and the warmth of Bianca’s as she’d replied. Was this one of her frequently used interview locations?
More of the youngsters greeted her, most regarding him with suspicion. ‘You seem to be well known here.’
‘Supporting this place has been my personal project for over ten years.’ She looked up at him as they stood in the high-walled courtyard, with the sounds of New York City drifting in. ‘I grew up with privileges, well aware that many didn’t.’
‘Without Miss Di Sione’s help, this place would have closed long ago,’ added Nick, and he called over a teenage lad.
Bianca did this? Supported these kids and their families? He looked at her and saw her cheeks colour beneath his scrutiny. He was about to say something when the lad Nick had called over approached. He nodded in a way that showed his respect for her but didn’t damage his toughened exterior. Then he glanced at him and the years fell away. It was like looking at himself twenty years ago.
‘Great to meet you. I’m Liev.’ He didn’t offer to shake hands. He knew well enough how much personal space was valued. The lad nodded solemnly and Liev wished he could reach him, tell him he knew how he felt.
‘Billy will stand with you for a photo,’ offered Nick.
‘Just one.’ Billy spoke and finally made eye contact with him. As he looked into the eyes of his youth, he could feel the warmth of Bianca’s presence, keeping him from sliding back to the nightmare of those days.
‘Billy’s been here on and off with his family for three years,’ said Bianca softly. ‘Just one photo is all we need, Billy. Thanks.’
* * *
Bianca watched as the photographer took the photo, cajoling Billy to pose for at least one more. Then the interviewer asked them questions and Billy slipped away, melting effortlessly into the background. She could feel each question making Liev more tense, more closed off.
The next question was fired at him. ‘You haven’t had a good childhood yourself, I understand?’
She saw Liev glance at Billy, where he lingered in the shadows, as if he’d forgotten everything else, and Bianca’s heart reached out to Liev and the boy he had once been. A boy just like Billy.
‘I was twelve when my parents died. They’d lost everything in a bad business deal and I had nobody, no choice but to live on the streets of St Petersburg.’
Billy stepped back out of the shadows and looked at Liev, making eye contact, which this time seemed full of healthy respect.
‘How did you get where you are now?’ the interviewer asked, obviously intrigued by the connection between Liev and the boy. Just as she was.
‘I did anything I could.’
Billy nodded at this, approving of what he was hearing. Bianca wanted to know more, but sensed Liev’s caution. This was an interview, after all, and she didn’t want him baring his soul, giving away his deepest secrets. She would have to find another way to discover what really lay behind that comment, because right now she wanted nothing more than to protect his past.
‘I’d have given anything for a place like this,’ Liev continued, but she could hear the caution in his tone. ‘The place I stayed in for five years was much tougher.’
Bianca was aware of notes being made. She’d thought bringing him here would be good, that she’d be able to play on the bad-boy-makes-good image the press loved, but right now she felt as if she’d lost Liev to that past.
‘Thank you, gentlemen,’ she cut in efficiently, ending the interview. ‘I think you have enough now.’
Billy had gone. Disappeared from sight. Was that how Liev had lived? Was that why she couldn’t find out anything about him?
Liev turned to look at her, his eyes harder than she’d ever seen them before. She met his gaze, matching his fury. This was exactly the sort of promotion that would achieve all the open doors he craved. Had he really expected to keep everything he’d ever done quiet and away from prying eyes?
‘You