My lips involuntarily melt into a happy, dreamy smile from the anticipation and this sweet promise. Meanwhile, Andriy grabs my suitcase, I throw on a light jacket, and we leave the apartment.
The journey passes quite quickly. We talk about various neutral topics, although I am itching to ask what really interests me. Finally, almost upon arrival in Wrocław, the moment arises. Bianka calls Polyansky again, and when he finishes the call, I decide to ask.
" And Bianka is...?
" My deputy in the Wrocław branch.
What?? Damn. So they work together, too? Hell. I replay Nadya's words about their relationship again in my mind. I have no doubts that Andriy and Bianka were lovers, but were there feelings? Love?
My mood is ruined in a second. Polyansky sees my thoughtful, if not sullen, expression and can't help asking:
" Milana, dear, is everything alright? You suddenly went pale.
" It's all good, " I replied reluctantly. I decided to see how things unfold. Maybe Nadya deliberately exaggerated, and there's nothing between them anymore. " And how long has this branch been operating?
" Two years, " he explains, then after a moment of thought adds, " When I opened the office in Wrocław, I needed someone I could trust.
" Logical.
" I know, that’s why I asked Bianka to take this position. We've known each other since our university days. So she agreed.
" A drastic decision, I would say, " I muse, feeling a tightening inside. I sense he's holding back a lot.
" What exactly? To appoint someone I’m confident in to such a position? " Polyansky replies.
" No, the fact that she decided to move to another city. As I understand, she's from Krakow? " slips out of me. " Unless there were significant reasons, " I bite my tongue for that last phrase. Damn. Don’t blow your cover, Milana.
I feel the red dots of embarrassment slowly spread across my cheeks, and a tense silence hangs in the air. I can’t bring myself to look at Andriy. I turn my head away. I look out the window and see nothing. It seems Nadya didn't lie at all.
Suddenly, I feel the car slowing down. I look around. Andriy steers the Audi to the roadside. Then slowly turns toward me. I feel his intense gaze on my skin. Then warm fingers touch my chin and make me turn toward him.
" Milana, " I encounter a piercing blue gaze, " What exactly is bothering you? Why don’t you share?
Damn. I'm mad at myself because he understood that I somehow know, or at least suspect.
" Is there something I should be bothered about? " I say instead.
" No, there isn’t, " he responds firmly, and a wave of indignation rises in my chest.
" Really? Just like that? " I squinted angrily.
" Milana, " I see how his strong hand grips the steering wheel even tightly. " I don’t know, maybe I wasn’t clear enough... Well, I’ll repeat. We are in a relationship, and for me, it’s not just a word, not just sex, and definitely not just that. I like you. A lot...And you are important to me.
I don’t need to say that at these words, I simply freeze, and my lips involuntarily part in a silent "Oh." I was completely unprepared to hear such a serious statement, and I have no more doubts about its seriousness because Andriy said all this with such a convincing expression and fiery look that I involuntarily believed him.
" Andriy..., " I exhale with wide-eyed astonishment. " I…
But I don’t manage to say anything else. Polyansky engulfs my lips in a frenzied kiss, a blend of passion, warmth, despair, and something delicate and fragile. At first, I am stunned by his boldness and fervor, then I surrender and respond just as passionately.
In a moment, I realized that he became important to me, more than I thought or hoped for... He pulls away. Both of us are breathing heavily. Hearts racing fast and wild. I gaze through a misty look into his equally clouded turquoise eyes, and my lips involuntarily curve into a smile.
" Polyansky, you do know how to be persuasive, " I say with a hoarse, quiet voice.
He only chuckles and touches my lips again briefly yet tenderly.
" Yes, especially when I care, " he utters meaningfully.
At these words, my poor heart starts beating so loudly, it seems audible throughout the cabin, and a warm feeling spreads through my soul. I lean back in the seat while Andriy starts the car and heads back onto the road.
I realize that if I want to build a strong, healthy relationship with this man, it must be based primarily on trust. There’s no other way. Thus, I quell the untimely jealousy still scratching inside and switch to talking with Andriy.
We enter the city. As we reach the necessary address, I curiously observe the streets and buildings passing by. For this trip, Andriy didn’t fuss much and booked us a room in a hotel. So, after parking the car at the parking lot near the main entrance, we walk inside, quickly check in at the reception, and head to our room.
Polyansky has booked us a suite with a living room and one bedroom. Seeing the large double bed, I glance at him from under my lashes and smile knowingly.
" What?? You didn’t think you’d be in a separate room, did you, kitten? " he sets down our suitcases and comes close. Without breaking eye contact. Admires openly, then his gaze becomes even hotter, more predatory.
But before I can respond, someone calls him insistently again. I just sigh. Work is work. His hands lift from my waist, and Andriy rushes to the phone he left on the table. It turns out to be Bianka again.
I understand it’s work-related, but still, I start getting irritated. However, we're short on time. So while he talks, I quickly open the suitcase, grab a change of clothes, and head to the bathroom. A few minutes for a shower and change, and I’m ready.
When I enter the room, Andriy is still talking. Seeing me, he even pauses for a moment. His eyes greedily travel up and down. Then he comes to his senses and continues the conversation.
I admit, I want to look striking. Especially now. When I definitely know that Bianka will be waiting for us at the office. That’s why I'm now wearing a fitted white top with wide straps and a fairly deep neckline. To give the look a more business style " I added some white palazzo pants with a high waist, which only emphasized my slender waist.
Luckily, the weather today, for early April, turned out to be very warm and sunny, so a coat or jacket won’t be necessary. A cropped jacket with three-quarter sleeves will be enough. I understand that perhaps it's excessive to act this way, but I can't ignore my feminine intuition about a rival.
Finally, Andriy finishes the conversation and silently walks over to me. Looks with a black gaze full of hungry passion.
" You look wonderful, " his hoarse voice and that look send a herd of chills on a wild dance across my back. I nervously run my tongue over my lips and shyly smile.
" Thank you. Shall we go? " I maintain eye contact. I understand that neither of us wants to go anywhere, and the realization that this man reacts this way to my appearance nearly knocks me off my feet from euphoria.
I see his Adam's apple nervously move up and down as he clenches his square jaw, covered with light stubble, and then he blinks. Once, twice, and reluctantly nods.
" Yes, " he says, and smiles wryly. " Yes, you cruel woman.
" Why is that? " I manage to step back and grab the briefcase with documents
.
" Because you're sentencing me to a day of torture with your look, " his voice is full of genuine agony, and I can’t help but start laughing.
I walk to the door. Teasing and enjoying it. I reach for the door handle and glance over my shoulder:
" Polyansky," I believe in you. You'll endure, " I wink ironically.
This doesn’t go unnoticed, as Andriy, grabbing the car keys and the briefcase, is immediately behind me, and a hot hand lands on my buttocks and proceeds between them, slowly sliding down.
I instantly freeze, and a yelp escapes my lips. My smile vanishes at the speed of light, and a web of desire painfully spreads from the spots where his hand touches all over my body.
" Who do we have over here, all confident, huh? Milana, any clues? " he whispers in my ear, his hand boldly sliding between my buttocks, then between my thighs even more intensely.
A hysterical laugh bursts out of me. The scoundrel pays back in the same coin. Now I’m just as thrilled as he is. A perfect tandem for work. Damn.
Then I feel the hot hand disappear, and his lips touch my neck in a brief, light kiss. He covers my hand, still on the doorknob, and presses it, opening the door. I must admit, these are hellishly refined tortures. But in his own way, he distracted me from my worries and excessive thoughts.
Of course, what other thoughts could besides where his hand wandered just a minute ago.
We go downstairs and exit the hotel. Once outside, I take a greedy breath and relish the feel of a warm breeze touching my flushed face. I ignore the self-satisfied look of my boss, who throws understanding and equally passionate glances at me.
I may not need to say that as we make our way to the office, the tension between us crackles madly and zaps at a high voltage.
We get out of the car and enter the authentic four-story building. The office is on the second floor, so we walk up the broad stone stairs. High ceilings, lots of space, and the spirit of the old town," that’s my first impression. The atmosphere is completely different from the Krakow office, which is in a building of a modern business center. Here, it’s more colorful and unique.
Andriy walks deeper, greeting the smiling employees. I follow him. Finally, we arrive at a door with the sign "Bianka Kovalek," and inside me, everything tightens.