dark fluffy eyelashes. A connoisseur of female beauty was pleased to note that the mascara was brown, not black, so that the makeup did not look vulgar on such a tender face. Childish rounded cheeks adorned a peach blush, and sponges, which did not have a gram of lipstick, only a glossy transparent luster, were themselves scarlet and puffy, like juicy berries, which immediately wanted to taste. Moreover, this her teenage style of clothes incredibly excited the imagination: a short black flare-length skirt made of thick wool, stockings just above the knee, a good cut-fitting beige jacket, a white blouse with a jabot peeking out from its neckline. A kind of schoolgirl-pupil. The truth is already quite formed, just a young-looking and at the same time quite childishly embarrassed, as if she did not understand why she came here.

- How old are you? - Luke finally asked the sane question and Christine answered it willingly, rejoicing in at least some continuation of the dialogue.

- Seventeen.

- Do your parents know where you are and why you went to another city?

- Of course, they know that I went to Peter. I graduated with honors from school and fully deserved rest. Only now it seems to me that you did not expect me to come at all. You, apparently, no one warned.

“Yes, today, I confess, I did not expect anyone,” Luka said mysteriously, “Apparently, they wanted to make a surprise.” Well, it seems to me that they succeeded.

Christina raised her eyebrows slightly, and Luka, with a languid smile on her lips, rubbed her chin with her hand, anticipating further developments and especially enjoying the fact that the girl was sitting with such a look as if she had no idea what was required of her. Maybe sooner he was disappointed in the agency, since they are still able to provide services of this level? Luka suddenly stood up and, leaving the girl a short “Let's go!”, Stretched out his hand to meet her. Christina didn’t really want to touch this strange and frighteningly appealing type, but out of politeness she did not dare to accept an obliging gesture. She put her fingers into his palm and stood up, standing next to him and noting that she was only a few centimeters above his shoulder.

- And where are we? - Trying to avoid his direct look, she asked.

- Yes, at least in the living room. Let's drink a cocktail.

They left the office and headed down the same spiral staircase. Passing through the hall past the entrance door, Luka threw somewhere in another room: "Vladimir, let no one bother me." “Of course, Luka Dmitrievich,” was the answer. Christina and Luka entered a huge two-level hall with a fireplace, a labyrinth of sofas and armchairs, as well as a multitude of bookcases and sideboards with luxurious dishes, figurines, clocks and other interior decorations. On the walls hung classic paintings with landscapes. The windows were framed with heavy malachite-colored thick silk curtains. At one arched window there was a huge oval table with inlays surrounded by eight chairs. The girl stopped in indecision at the entrance, but Luka immediately pushed her forward, lightly touching her waist. His touch worked like a burn, from which she moved.

- Come on in, I still light a fire.

- So you really were not aware that I would come? - Timidly sitting down in the corner of a huge leather sofa, Christina decided to dot the i.

- Well no. Of course, I was aware of. Just was not sure about the date, and indeed somehow forgot about this important event.

Christine didn’t like that in his words, it seems, sounded irony.

- If I give you inconvenience, I can ...

- Oh no. You arrived just in time.I at least sometimes need to be distracted from work in order to relax.

For a while, Christine watched in fascination with how cleverly and beautifully Luka made a fire in the fireplace. In his every movement felt elastic strength and polished elegance. When the flames danced in his hair, the room became even more comfortable. He went to the bar, took out glasses, several bottles, a shaker and ice from a freezer disguised as an elegant locker. After a couple of minutes the cocktails were ready and the girl drank one sip. Christina was somewhat shocked at how close Luka was to her when she sat down on the sofa.

- I was told that you are a very business person and are engaged in a serious family business ...

- Oh yeah. Business is not the word. Honestly, instead of talking about my business, it would be much more interesting for me to listen to how today's youth lives.

- Yes ... in general, nothing special.

“Have you graduated from high school yet?”

- Yes, I have already entered the university.

- Who are you going to learn?

- To the journalist.

“Mmm ... it's dangerous to deal with you,” Luka said mockingly and languidly, throwing his arm over the back of the sofa in the direction of the girl. He liked that she did not dare to look at his face when she spoke, and also that she was embarrassed by his intimacy, - We will have to try not to talk too much with you. Suddenly take on a pencil. By the way, could you contact me on "you"?

- I ... will try ..., - the girl squeezed out of herself with a slightly broken voice, apparently instinctively feeling that something was going wrong and incomprehensible, - And ... you ... that is, you ... Maybe could you show me the city I am here for the first time ... so ...

- Do you want to combine business with pleasure? - the tips of his fingers suddenly gently touched her cheek and she recoiled, as if from a bite, - I just straightened your hair, - Luka calmly and indifferently explained, without taking away her gaze from her, - I will show the city, of course. You're funny ... Maybe you will share why you agreed to this trip? For money? In desperate, you generally do not look like. On calculating too. On the adventurer - perhaps a little bit.

“I’m not exactly you ... that is, I understand you,” Christine muttered distractedly, yet risking a glance at Luka, so as not to seem like some cowardly blundering. Now she really felt that way, because she couldn’t understand what kind of strange conversations it was and why he was doing this to her at all. Luka looked intolerably attractive, but frighteningly inaccessible to her. He seemed to be such a pompous dandy, too adult, too mysterious, too cynical, and this familiar manner of his self-control simply made her tremble and stupor. She had some vague ideas about how to behave with men of this kind, but she understood that she was not at all ready to brilliantly reflect these of his attacks from non-child flirting.

- What does the money mean ... I just wanted new impressions. What are the weird questions? - still Christina took herself in hand. She wanted to somehow start a conversation about inviting Luka’s mother to stay in their house, but for some reason she couldn’t decide whether it would be appropriate. Still, Larissa was not there now, and Luke and so it took over.

Luka smiled sweetly, and from this smile, Christine's skin goose bumps.

- Okay. I will try not to ask strange questions anymore.

He suddenly leaned toward her and, slightly turning her face towards him with his hand, put his lips to her lips.

“Sorry, maybe this is too fast,” he whispered in her face, “It's just impossible to resist your lips.”

Christine's cheeks flared. She was ready to jump from the couch, but the kiss seemed so innocent and gallant to her that she pulled herself together and decided to look Luka in the eye. They were dark brown, cold and mercilessly complacent. Her gaze involuntarily sank upon his beautiful, well-defined moist lips. The feeling of his closeness was such as if she was standing on the edge of an abyss. She knew that she should push him away, but for some reason she could not.This unfamiliar man inspired her with fear, but at the same time she simply could not resist his charm and sexuality. His warm hand gently stroked her ... Read more →