"Delta of Venus,by Anaïs Nin?" Violet pushes the book back in its place, taking out another one."Lessons in Sin…"She checks the next book's cover and bursts into laughter."Ice Planet Barbarians?The full series? Is your entire library sex books?"
"'Sex should be a perfect balance of pain and pleasure. Cruelty, very far from being a vice, is the first sentiment Nature injects in us all'." I recite.
"Please tell me that's not fromIce Planet Barbarians," she says.
Bursting into laughter, I shake my head. "The master. Marquis de Sade. You could fill a hundred thousand libraries with the collective works of erotic authors over the years," I say, holding up a bottle of wine and she nods. "I have six editions of theKama Sutraalone."
"A well-read pervert," she says. "Impressive."
"I've dedicated myself to my craft." I smile salaciously, enjoying the smooth slope of her breasts in her pretty purple dress as I tap my glass to hers.
"Are we talking about the murdering part now or the sex part?" she asks, taking a sip.
Pressing her back against the bookshelf, I run my fingers down the soft skin of her throat. "There's a certain art and poetry to both. Why are you here, Violet? I've already given you my answer."
"That's why I'm here," she says breathlessly, body rigid. Oh, shewantsto shove me away, but she doesn't. "I'm not giving up. I need you."
She does. But not in the way she's thinking.
I take her drink, setting it down with mine. She's quite aware that I haven't moved, sandwiching her between the books and me. Her breath is coming faster as she looks up, her eyes shining amber in the low light. My thigh's pushed between hers and I can feel the diamond points of her nipples pressing against me.
"Well, aren't you a surprise," I murmur, my hand sliding up to cup the back of her neck, my thumb stroking over her rapid pulse. "I think you did enjoy your tour of the club, didn't you?"
"It was very educational," she says primly. "Will you hear me out? Please? Give me that."
"It's going to cost you," I warn. "I'm a busy man."
She clearly wants to roll her eyes, but she sighs instead. "Tell me, oh busy Russian Bratva professional and erotic novel enthusiast, what will I have to pay for a moment of your time?"
"A kiss." Her skin is so fucking soft, and that citrusy scent of hers is stronger.
"Is this a standard Bratva negotiation?"
"This is a freelance gig," I remind her. "That means I can make it up as I go along."
"That seems unfair." She closes her eyes, though, tilting her chin up invitingly.
So, I wait.
Finally, her eyes open. "I thought you wanted a kiss?"
"I do." My arm is wrapped around her waist, feeling the softness and give of her. "Kiss me."
Violet arches one elegant brow. "Oh,I'mdoing all the work? Fine." She goes up on tiptoe, sliding her fingers through my hair, scratching my scalp slightly and sending a bolt of lightning through my cock.
Her lips are blazingly hot.
I've kissed a thousand women and never had a kiss like this, like fire and my cock is instantly hard. I want to know if she feels just as hot inside. Sliding my tongue along the seam of her lips, I grunt as she opens her mouth, letting me play. My arm tightens as I straighten up, lifting her with me. She grabs a fistful of my hair and I laugh as she tugs it.
"Beautiful," I say, my voice husky.
"Roman?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you put me down, please?" Violet asks, licking her lips. "You're cutting off the circulation in my legs."
I loosen my grip, sliding her down slowly, making sure she feels my cock, hard enough to pound nails. Stepping back, I grab my drink and down it. "Sit down." I gesture to the couch. "Tell me what's changed."
