Chapter 24

Mishka

Istared up at the ceiling far above. The room was as big as a city block. Well-dressed people of all ages walked briskly, but with an air of reverence and awe.

"It's called ‘the great hall'," Anton offered. I nodded. It definitely was great. In fact, that was a massive understatement. "History or art?"

"Both?"

"We could spend the whole day here."

"A week!" I said, giving him a mischievous grin as he took my hand and led me to the ticket booth. The smile he gave me in return took my breath away. It was so unguarded and filled with joy. And he was so handsome.

My heart lurched in my chest. He was… beautiful. And for just an instant, I saw the little boy in him, and it melted some of the ice around my heart.

I had forgotten for a moment that he was my captor. My master. My owner. I had simply seen him as a human. A man.

It scared me in a way that I could not have imagined. Caring about him felt dangerous. But what if it wasn't?

What if we could be… friends?

I exhaled deeply and settled my mind and my heart. A moment later, Anton was standing close, pining a fold over tab button to my lapel. His presence was overwhelming. I could smell him. He smelled of soap and wind and pine. I could almost smell a forest overlooking the sea. I could see the cliffs. I could feel the warmth of a bonfire.

I stared at his face but he wasn't looking at my eyes. He was focusing on what he was doing. It was indescribably sexy. There was no other word for it.

He looked up and caught my eye. Neither of us moved for a moment. I swallowed and his lips caught my attention.

"Mishka…" he said in a warning tone. I gasped and stepped back, stunned by what had just happened, or almost happened. But he grabbed my arm. "Don't…"

"Don't what?" I asked stiffly.

"Don't shut me out."

I turned to look at him. He slowly released my arm. Then held out his hand. I stared at it for a heartbeat. Another.

Then with a shuddering breath of surrender, I lifted my hand and placed it in his. He gave me a warm squeeze. It felt so good to be holding his hand. It felt like coming home.

"Let's do a loop of the main floor, then we can go upstairs. We will try to see everything, but don't be afraid to tell me to stop."

"Okay," I said, offering him a shy smile. I wasn't sure what had happened, but I felt good. I felt hopeful. I felt excited.

We went straight forward, and ended up doing a figure eight. We walked through Medieval Art. Anton really liked the weapons and armor, which made me roll my eyes, teasing him about it. There was art everywhere, with changing exhibitions. We passed a stunning mosaic by Tiffany and the ‘Frog Fountain' in front of it.

Apparently, the Americans had made some extraordinary art as well. I hadn't known that. Blue jeans and rock and roll were my only impression of American culture. Hollywood, yes. Great art, I had never even thought about it.

But my favorite part of the entire museum was the Egyptian wing and the gorgeous structure they had, called the Temple of Dendur, carried halfway across the world and reconstructed in front of a reflecting pool. It felt like stepping into another world.

We walked around it slowly, really taking it in.

"Have you ever been to Egypt?"

"I've never been anywhere," I said shyly. "That was my first trip in an airplane," I added.

He smiled at me warmly, then leaned close.

"I would like to be the one who gives you many more ‘first times', Mishka."

He was still holding my hand, as he had been nearly the entire time we spent in the museum. I had to admit, I loved it. His hand felt so good in mine, just as his touch had felt electrifying when he had stroked my leg.

I felt so safe and secure with him. His physical touch was calming, soothing, and exciting, all at once. I had never felt so protected.

I took a deep breath, more than a little concerned about the direction of my thoughts.

Anton as my protector… the man who held me every night, who woke up with me every morning, who provided for me, looked after me, made love to me… that was definitely not something I wanted to think about. Not now. Definitely not in public. Definitely not when he was staring at me, watching me closely.

As if he could read my thoughts.

My body responded to the sudden image of him making love to me and my cheeks turned pink.

"I would love to know what you are thinking that is giving you that glorious flush," he said in a low voice, stepping closer and lifting our hands so he could kiss my fingers.

I shook my head softly but he didn't let go. I knew I was blushing even more. He gave me a wicked smile that made my pulse pound.

Finally, he stepped away. But there was a look of promise in his eyes. I knew he would kiss me again. And soon.

The craziest part was, I couldn't wait.