If Petr's acquaintance hadn't come, we would have been staring at each other for ages. I don't know if I had the same effect on him as he had on me, but something so strong has never happened to me before. I stand there, completely shocked, trembling from what he did to me—because without even touching me, he did wonders.
"Sara, are you okay?" Valerie nudges me, her brows furrowed.
"What? Yeah… I just… I'm just dizzy." I stutter, clutching my glass as if it could keep me upright.
Valerie's eyes widen, studying me with suspicion. "Dizzy? You were fine five minutes ago. Don't tell me you're suddenly getting tipsy from half a glass of wine."
"I'm fine," I insist, though my voice comes out weaker than I intended. I feel ridiculous, like a foolish teenager overwhelmed by a single glance from a man.
If I hadn't walked into the room at that moment, I might have disappeared like lightning, never to see him again. But we still have the whole evening ahead, and I certainly can't avoid Petr.
I cling to Valerie like a lifeline, hoping she won't notice my jittery state. But when she leans close and whispers in my ear, "Bathroom. Two minutes," and slips away, my safety net vanishes.
I need air.
I slip outside onto the balcony, grateful for the ivy climbing the railing, creating patches of shadow that swallow me whole. I lean against the wall, press my palms to the cool stone, and try to breathe, to steady the storm inside me.
"Good evening, Sara. Are you okay?"
The velvety voice comes from behind me, and a shiver runs down my spine. I gasp and whirl around, my pulse racing.
Of course, Petr is there, leaning casually against the doorway, that maddening grin lighting up his face.
"You scared me," I whisper, my voice barely audible.
"Did you feel it too?" His voice drops low, almost conspiratorial, as he closes the distance between us.
My lips part, but no sound comes out.
"Don't say no." His gaze lingers on my trembling hands. "I can see it in you. You're shaking. Should I get closer?"
"Petr…" I finally manage, though it sounds more like a plea than a warning.
He smirks, taking another step.
"How did you know where to look for me?" I blurt, desperate to distract myself from the heat rising inside me.
He chuckles. "I've been staring at you all evening, waiting for you to disappear from the crowd. When I saw you come out here…" He leans in slightly. "…I jumped at the chance."
"What chance?" I whisper, my heart hammering.
"The chance to invite you to dinner."
I blink at him, stunned by his boldness.
"That's… straightforward," I manage.
"Life's too short for games," he says simply.
And there it is—the dilemma that tangles in my chest. Should I refuse, retreat to the safety of my ordinary life? Or take the risk, step into something unknown, something that makes me tremble in both fear and longing?
So far, my life hasn't seemed boring. I've had my friends, my family, my work. I've never complained about the absence of a man. But Petr… Petr has awakened something I didn't even realize I had locked away.
"Okay. I'll go to dinner with you," I finally say, the words slipping out before I can change my mind.
His grin widens, amused and dangerous all at once. "I'm glad. Most women play coy first. You, on the other hand, are refreshingly honest."
"I wouldn't call it honest," I mutter. "More like reckless."
"Reckless can be fun." He extends his hand, the gesture simple but heavy with meaning.
I hesitate, then place mine in his. Sparks. Again. Immediate and undeniable.
"Sara," I whisper, introducing myself, though he already knows.
"Petr," he replies, pulling me a fraction closer. His voice is velvet, his eyes liquid fire. Before I can react, his lips are on mine—firm, hungry, yet tender enough to unmoor me. My legs weaken, and instinctively, I clutch at his shoulders. He takes it as encouragement, deepening the kiss until my thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind.
"Sara? Are you out here?"
Valerie's voice snaps me back to reality. I pull away, stumbling backward so quickly that I nearly crash into a bench. Petr steadies me, his hand brushing my cheek as he tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
"Don't forget," he murmurs. "Tomorrow at eight. I'll find you." His tone leaves no room for refusal.
Then, without another word, he turns and slips away, brushing past Valerie at the doorway. She freezes, her eyes darting between us, confusion plain on her face. Petr doesn't so much as glance back.
"Val? You're here already?" I say, forcing a casual tone as if nothing has happened, though my lips are still tingling.
Her eyes narrow. "What on earth were you doing together? You're flushed red as a tomato!"
"Nothing," I lie too quickly. "It's just the heat out here."
Valerie gives me a look that says she doesn't believe a word. She sighs and takes my hand firmly. "We should probably go home. Whatever this is—it's clearly too much for you tonight."
I nod, letting her lead me away, though my thoughts remain tangled around the man I can't seem to resist