Page 93 of Scarred Ruin

Julie had a way of hitting the nail on the head, which I adored and loathed. “Now you’re a total bore and difficult to work for.”

I huffed, flopping down in my seat. “I am. Aren’t I?”

“Is your sudden trepidation really about when you were shot? Are you scared?”

I leaned my head against the seat, shifting the chair back and forth. “I’m not scared, even though Maxsim continues to keep his soldiers following me.”

“You mean those big, brooding hunks of men I’ve seen loitering in the lobby?”

“Exactly. And maybe I am still shaken by being shot. And the attempted kidnapping. Seeing his reaction in drawing his weapon on Halloween made me realize who and what he is.” I didn’t say the word out loud, but I couldn’t lie to myself about who he’d become whether by circumstance, lust for power, or simply his upbringing.

A monster.

“Have you talked to him since Halloween about the whatever happened?” Julie’s eyes reflected even more concern.

“No.”

“Don’t you think you owe it to yourself and to him to have a conversation with him at least?”

Grabbing my pen, I tossed it in her direction. “Don’t be logical about me, Julie. I just can’t handle it.”

“All architects are logical beasts. You’re simply falling for the guy.”

“I am not.”

She folded her arms, cocking her head as she glared at me. “Right.”

“Go do some work. I’d like to have the two drawings finished today. I have a meeting with one of the investors of the project who’s a cancer research doctor early next week and I want everything finished so I can show her something.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll have everything you need. Incidentally, I overhead John saying something about there being an issue with the zoning department.”

“What? I thought those approvals were handled eons ago.”

“Evidently not. From what I heard, Mr. Aristov is on it. Maybe the situation is something for you to extend an olive branch over.” Julie smirked with her offer. “You do need to learn the details.”

“Maybe you should go back to your office.”

“I’m going.”

“Not fast enough.”

When she was gone, I sat back in my seat, staring at the ceiling as if it would provide me with answers. There were a dozen more questions within seconds and the worst part about what I was thinking and feeling was the continuing ache. Not only lingering in my system but increasing with every passing day.

There was no denying that I missed Maxsim. His smile. His frown. His arrogance. His dominance. His scent.

His taste.

His strong hands.

A shiver coursed down my spine.

Avoiding him wouldn’t be easy.

But resisting him was terrifying.

CHAPTER 19

Maxsim