While Eve was dazed, two men nearly bumped into her. Before she knew it, Ivan's hand closed firmly around her, pulling her against his chest to shield her. The strangers brushed past, without touching her, but Eve felt like she might combust from the sudden closeness, her heart pounded in her chest like a wild folklore drumbeat.
Then came the scent, she inhaled it and felt heady from how absurdly good he smelled, that for a moment she was sure she'd been transported straight into heaven. Unable to resist, she pressed her nose ever so lightly against his chest, stealing another whiff.
Ivan, who was entirely oblivious to her sneaky antics, simply held her close as the crowd swelled, moving towards another street play nearby.
After a while, as the crowd began to subside, Ivan finally looked down, only to find her looking up at him at the very same moment and in that instant, the world seemed to fall completely silent around them.
