“We can all hide behind a mask. The only differences are in for how long and for what intent,” I said with no real inflection, but it was the truth. That much I’d learned since the incident in Hawaii. “Kirill. Russian.”
When he finally eased into the chair, he did so with confidence. However, I noticed that just as he’d done when we were walking through the terminal, he was scanning the area, reading everyone in proximity.
Perhaps ensuring his safety or to determine if anyone was a threat. Maybe he was a spy or an assassin. The ridiculous thought forced me to stifle a smile.
“Yes, Vivian. American?”
“What gave me away, my inability to toss out biting Italian words or the crappy little suitcase that I borrowed from my cousin for the trip?”
He burst into laughter, the sound booming into the room, yet it didn’t seem to go anywhere. The walls were padded, creating an aura of privacy. With the tables placed several feet apart, private and very alluring conversations could be held. “I daresay I’ve yet to find any woman in either Russia or all of Italy quite so beautiful.” He leaned across the table, his gaze slowly falling down my face, daring to pause at the deep V in the bodice of my dress.
With his nostrils flaring, he lifted his head, his eyes now piercing mine.
“Does that line work?”
“Also very American, straight and to the point. I find myself incapable of how do you say, putting one over on you.”
“Well, I have seen or experienced just about every ridiculous come-on. But I will give you points for effort.” I also leaned forward, close enough our faces and our lips were mere inches apart. The subtle yet powerful method of flirtation was easy with him, which in turn allowed my entire body to tingle without reservation.
His expression, a promise of dark, filthy passion, gave way to another alluring smile. This time as if he had something up his sleeve. Or maybe because we were approached by a waiter who spoke in fluid Italian, which in turn Kirill did as well.
“What would the lady prefer?” the handsome Russian asked.
“Bordeaux.”
The way his eyebrows lifted meant he approved. Mine did as well when he ordered a bottle of nineteen eighty-two Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, the selection something I’d always wanted to taste.
However, the rich French wine was completely out of my paygrade. In fact, other than the upper echelon of society, out of everyone’s price range, typically costing close to ten thousand dollars per bottle.
“That’s on the complimentary menu?” I tossed the question out without thinking, revealing I was living and breathing in an entirely different world than he was.
I could tell by the eighty-thousand-dollar watch he was wearing and the tailored clothes that obviously had been hand designed for him that he had could easily afford the wine. That didn’t mean that I wasn’t taken aback by his determination to take control. That wasn’t my personality.
While Kirill’s Italian was flawless, the words spoken with an alluring flair, I caught more than half of what he’d ordered. Including appetizers. I had to admit the morning bagel was long gone.
“I’m generally unimpressed with anything offered as a complimentary resource. In my years on this planet, I’ve determined that the things sweetest to catch and enjoy are worth the time, money, and effort spent on the hunt.”
His words created another slow-moving shiver. He was definitely a predator. “Do you always insist you get your way?” I pressed.
“Yes.” The single word was said with no inflection, but there was clear amusement returning in his eyes.
“The wine is… a little overdone and very pricey.”
“Do you not believe a woman should be treated to the finer things in life?” His question seemed rhetorical, but I could sense he was waiting for an answer.
Our lips remained close, his scent infusing with mine to unleash a torrent of desires that were both confusing and deliriously taunting. I dared inch just a touch closer so our vision was stilted, yet I could see every line on the sides of his eyes, the texturing adding another layer of character to a man who needed nothing else to exude sensuality.
“I believe women deserve anything and everything they crave. Often the sweetest success is found after forging a path themselves.”
“Fascinating,” he murmured, his hot breath once again cascading across my skin. “Does that include you as well?”
“That depends on the offer.”
Kirill seemed genuinely surprised at my answer, pulling away and raking his gaze down my face to my lips. In turn, I dragged my tongue across the plumpest portion of the center of my mouth while inhaling his toxic aroma.
Toxic in that I could lose myself and while I enjoyed the heavy flirtation, anything else was unacceptable.
But he was tempting. Very tempting.
