Free Perfect Opposite by Zoya Tessi Page B

on his wrist and then his arm with the tip of one finger.
    “You didn’t answer my question, Alex...” I batted my long, black lashes once and passed my tongue over my top lip in an effort to be seductive.
    Pleased to find that he’d directed his attention to my lips, I smiled broadly, blinking again in a show of looking innocent. In an instant I felt his arm come around my waist, drawing me to him, still holding my gaze with a look of such intensity that all other thoughts just fell away. He let his head tilt ever so slightly towards mine as, mesmerized, I continued to stare, my heart now pounding like a jackhammer, threatening to burst inside my chest.
    It seemed like we were alone in the crowded room; the music had vanished and the only things in the world were his gorgeous lips, slowly moving forward to meet min e. Suddenly, someone rushed past with some drinks and bumped him. And just like that - the moment was gone. He turned his head away so that I saw his profile and lit a cigarette, professional disinterest apparently restored to his features.
    “You should stop fooling around...” he said stiffly.
    “Whatever you say, sugar.” I flashed a big smile and turned back to my stool.
    Regardless of what he said, I was sure Alex didn’t think of me as a child.
     
    The first beats of Depeche Mode’s ‘Enjoy the Silence’ resounded from the speakers above, followed by shrieks of delight from the crowd. Grabbing Paolo by the arm, I made for the dance floor, my steps a little unsteady. Letting myself get carried away by the music, I moved and twisted to the rhythm and the persistent notes. I swayed awkwardly at one point, but Paolo caught me and put his arm around my back.
    My eyes wandered to where I’d left Alex and I saw that he had company in the form of a tall redheaded girl. With one hand on her hip she was doing her best to look alluring. Getting more up close and personal by the second, she brought her pouting lips to his ear and whispered something, licking of his earlobe in the process.
    Ugh... that’s disgusting.
    Alex smiled, put an arm around her and looked over at me as he planted a kiss on her slender neck. I quickly turned my head and tried to discard the twinge of jealousy I felt, burying my face in Paolo’s shoulder. Closing my eyes I imagined being a normal girl who had no need for secrets or bodyguards, without hitmen out to get her, or death waiting around every dark corner.
    The song ended and Paolo guided me back towards the bar, supporting my arm so that I didn’t fall. My head was spinning and my feet were killing me in my heels, so I was really looking forward to sitting down again. We were only a few steps away from our place at the bar when Tyler appeared in our way, traces of red lipstick on his face.
    “Sasha... You look great... as always.” he smiled in the irresistible way he had and I felt a falling sensation in the pit of my stomach.
    “Tyler... You make me sick. ”
    When he heard my words the sweet smile quickly faded from his features, morphing into a rather twisted scowl, which didn’t suit him at all. In a single motion he shoved Paolo out of the way, almost knocking him to the floor in the process, and grabbed me by the arm.
    “You won’t talk to me like that!”
    “Ty!” I cried out and tried to wriggle free, but his grip only tightened so that my arm started to hurt.
    In a flash the pain was gone. As was Tyler who was suddenly eclipsed by a pair of br oad shoulders dressed in black.
    “So, we meet again, pretty boy...”
    I changed my position slightly, to see Tyler clench his fingers into fists as Alex fixed him with a cold stare.
    “You again.” Tyler barked, “Maybe I should introduce you to my pretty fist, huh?”
    To see Tyler looking that aggressive frightened me quite a lot, but when I studied Alex a little more closely my fear suddenly had a new focus. His face was expressionless, as I’d come to expect, but the look in his eyes... it was murderous.