Ice wall
The limousine smelled of leather and expensive whiskey-a scent that had become my new cage. I sat frozen in the corner, my gaze fixed on the blurred city lights rusihing past the window. I was ignoring the man beside me with a dedication that could only be considered an art from.
Lorenzo Levanchi was sitting right next to me, too close, and yet it feltas if we were at opposite ends of the world. I could feel his eyes on me-heavy, analytical, the same look he used before he "removed" someone from his path.
"You can keep looking out the window for the rest of the night, Elara", he spoke softly. His voice was like velvet concealing a razor blade. "But that won‘t change the fact that your name is now standing beside mine in the family ledger."
Ididn‘t blink. I turned slowly, my face a mask of cold porcelain. "It will change the fact that I will not give you a second more of my attention that is absolutley necessary for this... arrangement. Do not expect smiles from me, or conversations, or anything that could give you the false hope that we are actual spouses."
Lorenzo laughed-a short, dry sound that didn‘t reach his eyes. "An arrangement. Nicely put."
He reached out, and before I could pull away, he caught my chin. His grip was firm but not rough. Forced to look into his eyes, I saw something that made me hold my breath-not anger, but pure, calculated amusement.
"Your coldness is fascinating", he continued, his tumb tracing my lower lip in a light motion that felt like threat. "But while you struggle to be untouchable, your eyes... they give you away. They are the only place where you cannont hide how much I distrub you."
"You do distrub me, yes" I said clodly, even though my pulse was hammering against my temples like hammer. ''Just like a headache or any other nuisance distrubs me."
His smile widened, becoming more dangerous. He leaned forward, bringing his lips to my ear. His breath was hot, the complete opposite of the ice I was trying to maintain.
''Does it bother you that you like me, Elara?" he whispered, his voice clearly showing he had seen trough my game. "Is that how you fight it? By acting indifferent while your heart is beating like a bird in cage?"
I shivered, hating myself for being affected by his touch. I pulled away quickly, brushing his hand off.
"Youre arrogant", I said, though my voice barely reached a whisper.
"Prehaps", he replied, leaning back into the seat with that irritating, predatory confidence. "But I have all time in the world to make you admit the turth. Enjoy your icy mask while it lasts, my dear. I can‘t wait to see the moment it melts."
I didn‘t answer. I turned back to the window , but I wasn‘t looking at the city anymore. I was looking at my reflection in the glass-and for the first time, in that cold image, I recognized fear. Not of him, but of my own weakness, wich he head so easly, so ruthlessly, laid bare in his palm.
