His fingers prod it once I’m done. “I don’t know this one.”
“Mama taught it to me,” I tell him primly as I snap on his cufflinks. “She said it made a statement because no ordinary man would have the patience to bother with it.”
I stare blankly at the tiger until he taps the underside of my chin with his knuckles so he can stare me straight in the eye.
“I won’t wear it if it upsets you.”
“I’m not upset.”
His arched brow tells me he doesn’t believe me.
“It’s kismet,” I say eventually when he doesn’t relinquish the hold on my chin.
“Explain.”
“Now I know this is the right path for me because it’s one he’d have detested.”
Amusement blossoms in his eyes and with it, the only approval I truly seek. If he disapproved, I’d still go ahead with my plan, but I like that we’re on the same page.
“Until tomorrow?” he inquires.
“I-I’ll call you with the details. Do you have a time preference?”
His chuckle is like molten chocolate. “Pchelka, time is irrelevant for you. Haven’t you learned that yet?”
THREE
THE FUTURE MR. VASOV
Victoria:
Victoria: You didn’t have to!
Maxim: You’re welcome, zaya. He didn’t need the ear anyway.
Victoria: You’re an overachiever. I only needed pics of that guy roughed up. Do you know who Darius Harrington is anyway?
Maxim: It’s fine. And yes. He’s a businessman.
Victoria: BRB. Just helping out at Annenburg.
Maxim: The dining hall?
Victoria: Yep! A student started a food waste program out of there. Morgan’s making it so all the foodstuffs that previously went in the trash go to local food banks. Isn’t that awesome?
Maxim: Very.
Maxim: Morgan?
Victoria: A girl before youfreak out
Maxim: Ah
Victoria: We’re always looking for donations
Maxim: My checkbook is yours
Victoria: You say the sweetest things!
