I hide a smile. “We can play this game all night if you want…”
She curves into me. “Who did you steal it from?”
“That’s for me to know and for you not to find out.”
When I tap her nose, she pouts but curls her hand around my wrist. “Spasibo,malysh.”
“You’re welcome,kotik.”
After gracing me with the softest of kisses, she announces, “Okay, you can tell them we’re ready for the gala now.”
“You’re not mad at me anymore?” I deadpan.
She taps my nose. “Yes. But it’s not your fault my sister has an exhibitionist streak.”
My brows lift. “Exhibitionist streak?”
“Yeah, you know. The desk?”
I shrug. “What desk?”
A jubilant laugh escapes her. “Never mind.” She kisses my cheek. “Even if you’re lying, smart man.”
Lowering the partition, I give my orders. “As if I’d lie to my future bride on the night I propose.”
“Don’t milk it too much, Maxim,” she jibes.
I hide a smile then scowl when I see how close we are to the venue. “Are you ready?”
She does that wiggling thing with her fingers again. “Oh, yes. I’m ready for the city to know you’re totally taken.”
My groan has a twinkle appearing in her eye.
I intend to keep it there permanently.
TWENTY-SIX
HE CREATED A MONSTER
From an outside perspective,I’m sure the evening appears to be a great success.
From theoutside. Not theinside.
“If looks could kill,” Victoria sings as I twirl her around the dance floor. Again. “This is more fun than I first thought.”
“Don’t lie.”
“No,” she insists, waving when she sees Rachel Laker working the crowd. “It is. All these women wishing they were me and all these men wishing you were them.” Her eyes twinkle. “Camille always made it sound like these events were boring.”
As bewildered as I am by her reaction to the tedium of the night’s fundraiser, there’s no denying she’s right.
Or the fact she looks like a glittering diamond in the mood lighting. No wonder we’ve caught everyone’s eye.
“I’ve created a monster.”
She taps my cheek. “You can take no credit for my monster. It’s all mine. Lovingly curated over two decades.”
“You can’t be enjoying this torture.”
