The Marionette

Chapter Two- An Affair to Remember

Chapter Two- An Affair to Remember

I shifted uncertainly. Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to this. Who knows what he really has planned for us. It could be fun or it could be a dangerous kind of fun. Do I really want to cross that line? Could I live with the guilt and shame that comes along with crossing that very thin line? Conflicted. That's me. I want to do something impulsive and out of the ordinary, but then again, I want to be true to myself. I'm not a tramp. I don't sleep with men just because they're sinfully hot... do I? I frowned in thought before silently answering myself: No, I'm not that kind of girl. I'm strong. I can withstand his temptation.

"I think you should come and watch me rehearse and then we can go eat, perhaps? Maybe take a walk afterward? See where the night takes us."

That caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting him to give me an invite to watch him rehearse. It seemed very personal. I was expecting something with more intimacy, a wild sexual night in at his suite. Then again, I did say I wanted to be true to myself. There's nothing too sexy about watching him rehearse.

"Cassandra?"

I blinked out my thoughts, my cheeks instantly heating with embarrassment, "I'm sorry. I was... well, never mind." I looked at him from under my eyelids, "Yes, that sounds good. May I ask who all will be at the theater to watch you practice for your upcoming show?"

His soft chuckle slid across my skin like a thread of soft silk. Pinching my brows slightly, (and trying my best to keep from squirming), I looked at him confused.

"We aren't going to the theater to practice. I am taking you to my hotel room, if that is okay with you? I have a few things I left behind that I need to grab for when we go for our walk in the Quarter. I thought since I was grabbing some things that you could see a part of my act before anyone has had the chance to. Unless you are uncomfortable being in my room with me?"

His thick Russian accent sent shivers up and down my spine. I'll be in his suite... alone with him... maybe my first thoughts were right? He planned on something wild and hot. My nerves peaked, I inhaled softly and fidgeted with the hem on my sheen white dress. I crossed my leg over the other as I felt his frosty eyes on me.

"No, your room is fine with me. I am totally okay with it. I would lo-love to see a part of your act, Mr. Volkov."

I stuttered! What the feck is wrong with me?

His icy arctic spheres lit with mirth, his lips crooked into a smirk as my nervous ramble went on. He could see how nervous I was. But I couldn't stop; and when his hand covered mine, I swallowed thickly and shifted in my seat.

"You have no reason to be so anxious, Cassandra. We are just going to have a drink, talk about my upcoming show, and then go eat. Okay?"

I couldn't do anything but nod, keeping my eyes glued to his cool hand on mine. Why was his skin always so cool? Maybe he had some type of skin disease, or possibly some sort of nerve damage that caused the skin on his body to be so chilly where he was always moving for his Puppets.

I trained my eyes back on his and smiled, "I know. I've just...I've never um..." I bit the corner of my glossed lower lip and looked down a moment before returning my gaze to his.

His brow slowly raised in question and then recognition lit his eyes. Oh, crap. Why? Why did I say that! Why did I have such a big fat mouth?! He probably thinks I am some kind of weirdo now.

"You've never been close to another man? Never had sex?"

My face felt as searing as a hot poker and I was sure it was as red as a tomato. I wanted to cover my face, and in fact, I did. I covered my horrified and embarrassed expression. I don't think I have ever been so embarrassed in my life. Not even when I punched that clown my dad had hired to pop out as a surprise for my tenth birthday party. This... this was a totally different kind of embarrassment. I felt two hands touch mine, gently pulling my palms away from my face.