I am worried for myself. Ask me why? I can't resist drooling the monster in front of me. The Demon who I would gladly sell my soul to. The reason? His freaking body on display. No, not naked. Rather his white shirt plaster on his body like second skin. Translucent, nearly. Ink of marking swept in his body in pattern. Left chest to his neck disappearing and smearing across his arm on the same side. Also on the right abdomen down his pants. His inner hand on the right side had a strange snake coiling around a skull like a dark curse written in Russian.
"Had fun staring, Koshechka?" I cringed. Gulped. His Russian accent. God. I am doomed.
My heart leaps out my throat and trying hard enough to not let the heat that is threatening to crawl over my face under his dead stare like a psycho fucker he is with a smirk itched on that sculpted shittic face that I wanted to ruin it for good. Thus, calling it a community service for nuns.
Unconsciously, I breathe into the pressurizing smoke filled lounge filling my lungs with addictive flavours of cigar, citric, pine, and finally a drop of metallic taste vague but combined with the burnt rubber tire, too hard to notice yet my sensitive nose captured the scent. Weird yet delicious to my nostrils. I need to consult with an ENT doctor, effectively.
When I was on the verge of biting my lip, his earlier words rang into my head like a sweet seductive jester 'Stop biting'. Control woman. At this rate I might just go with the plan Celene gave me.
I clench my fist tighter. Composure motherfucker.
I straightened my back and sat upright. "You wanted to talk" Thankfully I didn't stutter or it sounded breathy.
He didn't sit, stumble, or awkwardly continue the conversation with excuses but rather humming with affirmation in that deep nightmare… Sorry, my nightmare of a voice breathing heat downwards. A well trained hunter who can make others squirm in their own skin and I refuse to give him that satisfaction.
Those dull, unhinged eyes are set straight on my skin poking to read me like an open book. And I? Dilly dallying with eye contact. All my emotions- don't know what for but are gathered like a block of brick that are stacked into my throat.
"Are you done ogling?" One-to-one Russian bastard.
"Not completely. It would have been better if I could see that more-than-spectacular colour of your nipples which are enticingly pointed through your shirt. Cold, babygirl?"
My mouth fell apart. He didn't say that, no he did. Immediately crossed my hands over my breast. Freaking pervert asshole. Two-to-one. Seriously, my brain lost its nuts. Supporting our mortal enemy. Fuck.
"Hiding them, are we now?" He abandons his alcohol by the bar and stands in front of me like a verdict, scuffing his fingers over my chin and tilting my head to his gaze. "Anushka Vaidyanath. My engineer, what qualification do you have the right to claim among the many others?"
"I won't be sitting here under a pervert and giving justification on my qualification." I snarled from earlier comment from his, "You needed my expertise for that fucked up car you are driving at and don't forget the disqualification you received today because the so-called-highness couldn't keep his mouth shut but spurt unethical jokes." I spat the truth at Vladimir's face. Instead of fear curling my bones as a sane person, I actually feel good.
"Pervert, huh?" He chuckles, not even reaching it to his eyes. Flames of hell, I can feel it in my bones. I have officially ticked off the Demon. His grip tightened on my chin like a vise grip which was meant to break, no, crush and shatter my bones. "So… I should just take nonsense?" A rhetorical question that doesn't need an answer but asshole I would answer you. Make that blood, animal thick head of yours to work.
"Who was at the loss? You or them? I wouldn't have beg to differ if you had showed them in action"
"Like what? Fucking a woman in front of them?" I closed my eyes at his statement and slapped his fingers gripping my chin. Animal. Freaking animal. I stood up even though my height was a measly squirrel compared to his but I ain't fucking backing down.
"Do you want to retire to prove them right? Your words seem that way. So much potential to waste, what for? If your ultimate goal was to retire then I would rather not be your engineer but Liam's." I said in my clipped tone.
He stared like a dead soul pretty sure butchered in his mother's womb. God please help me. Help me.
Complete silence. A beat, two.
Then finally he steps back and stretches his hand out for a handshake. Dread settled in me. Is he behaving like a human now?
Responsively my hand took it and shook it firmly. I ain't no dainty princess. I built my success on my own.
"Welcome to the team as my engineer, Anushka." I didn't miss that stress of words as if claiming. I looked at him deadpan and the corner of my lip lifted up with disgust.
"Pleasure is all mine" Humiliated and shamed, still keeping my dignity.
I am a proud individual who refused to be claimed, however the person may be tempting because once I fall, it is forever.
Though his eyes lack the luster, they are so beautiful. Those of an arctic wolf combined with the neon bluish white aurora being majestic, immense, and tantalising that are glowing under the light.
Okay. Okay, I admit that he himself shouldn't be created, a tempting offer.
The craftsmanship of the Hades in his demonic form. Rigid, lethal, and attention seeking. I suppose even Hades will frown upon me for comparing me to him because Hades is a God. Whereas him, I doubt. My guts saying he is beyond a man's truth and impossible to read or reach. Darker than the abyss of hell.
"Anoushka?" That Russian accent. "Still haven't got the fill of staring at me?" As if you didn't? I rolled my eyes.
"If there is nothing more important to be discussed, I'll take my leave then." I walked towards the exit of this confinement, not even giving him a chance. Yet, I groaned when I heard his command,
"Wait." Tyrant.
"What now?" Okay that came out a bit harsh but Vladimir deserves it.
Suddenly a warmth of the crisp pines hit my nostrils and my thighs twitched in anticipation. As Celene calls me, I'm seriously a bitch- a bitch in heat for exclusively him. Vladimir drapes his suit over my shoulders as it engulfs me.
"I don't like my engineer showcasing her body to others."
"What the fuck it means?"
"Do you want to walk down the hotel with your pointed nipples on display and eventually cost the lives of people? Language Koshechka."
Disfigure him, it is now on the top of my list. I rotated my jaw as my canine clashed at one and other making my murder thoughts standstill.
"Rather than having those cute thoughts, better start working. Got a week to get a car ready that would satisfy me, Anoushka. Use the time wisely. See you at Bharain."
Do I look like a wonder woman to this asshole? Week? What would I be able to repair? Perhaps even learn the car before I can implement it. A week maximum could only focus on either Aerodynamics or Engine. One percent formula but this guy wants a brand new one. He is out his fucking mind.
"And if I disappoint you?"
He turned slightly around to face me.
"I highly recommend that you don't disappoint me, moya Koshechka. The consequence I may give you wouldn't be favourable for both of us. If you are really that curious to know…" He pauses and gazes. I want to snarl to his face but I dare not because those eyes which were previously coated with amusement now were dead and blank. Feral in fact.
Nervous coated my skin and I started to chew my inner lips keeping my glare intact. A humorless chuckle of his was smooth and malicious,
"You really want to know. This would be your first and last woman, don't ever cross me. Aren't you doing your masters in a reputed university in France?… I can make sure you get suspended and thus effectively black list you permanently. I can ruin you. Break you and I can be the only solution to those broken pieces to put back together. Don't try me or tempt me."
No games, empathy, sympathy, or even manipulation but his raw, uncut emotions with harshness. I flinched. That wasn't a long speech but a threat left hanging as he walked out without a glance back at me. My entire body stood frozen and my mind heavy with emotions. The air I tried to suck in didn't relieve my lack of oxygen.
That is the real monster. Vladimir Yusupov's true face.
Painful. I leaned back on the wall as I felt my heart clenching. Squeezing at those words which repeated like a broken recorder. Tears leaked down from my eyes. Why the fuck I am crying? No way in the name of unholy I am wasting these precious tears on him. Fuck him.
I wiped my tears out. Raised my head like I was a Queen and walked out. If my boss wants a car then I will shove that into his ass.
Asshole.
Even though his scent from the suit was tantalising.