I slapped a hand over my mouth and laughed. I hadn’t thought Adrik had heard me, but obviously, he had. “Seriously?”

“Da.” He glanced down and moved. Only, the game was forgotten on my part. I just wanted to lie back and listen to him speak his own language over and over.

“You lose,” he stated with a smug smirk an hour later. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but something had changed in Adrik, and I liked it a lot. Especially with him smiling and smirking. His eyes even seemed lighter than usual.

“Wait, what?” I looked down and noticed I’d made terrible moves while he distracted me. “That wasn’t fair. I wasn’t paying attention,” I told him with a mock scowl.

“You always need to pay attention,” he replied lightly.

I sighed. “Fine, I’ll let you have that one. Do we have time for another game?”

His face shut down. The smile vanished. His eyes darkened at the reminder I was there on his money and time. I hated myself for saying anything.

Money was already exchanged before the date even started, so we didn’t have to take cash from the client and make them, or us, feel cheap. But I had a feeling I’d just done it.

He ground his teeth together as he looked down at his watch.

“Nyet,” he clipped.

Had the hour and a half already gone by? It was too soon. I didn’t want to leave, especially now he was in a mood and it was all my fault.

Adrik stood. “I walk you to lift.”

Cry me a damn river. I wanted to cry. It was pathetic… but maybe I could offer to stay on my time?

Grinding my teeth together, I shook my head as I stood. That would be crossing the line. He was a job, after all, and I had to remember it.

Why couldn’t I have met him outside of this? Because fucking Sam had been more of a priority than anything or anyone else. Stupid cock-sucking cheating ex. We’d been together only six months, and I’d thought I loved him. Only I knew I didn’t since his cheating cut me but didn’t gut me. I was only pissed now because I’d wasted those six months on him.

I could have used that time to find Adrik. I snorted silently. Who was I kidding? I wouldn’t have met him before now anyway. We obviously ran in different circles. Hell, I still didn’t know what he did for a living.

Please don’t be a killer or anything illegal.

I lifted my gaze when we reached the elevator. Adrik pressed the button and shifted to the side with his hand tucked into his jeans.