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Roman offered a simple roll of his eyes. “For a man considered the most eligible bachelor, you have one hell of a lot to learn about women. Playing Santa will ensure you one festive night.”

“How would you know?”

His answer was merely an evil grin.

CHAPTER 22

Isabel

Fa la la la fucking la.

Yes, I was in a mood. I checked my watch for the fifth time, more than just a little bit annoyed with the man I’d decided acceptable enough to claim me. There was no other way of describing our filthy yet controlled relationship as Maxsim couldn’t be considered the romantic type.

Granted, memories of my beautiful necklace could easily drag me out of my annoyance almost every time. However, it was Christmas and he’d promised he’d drop by the office holiday party.

“What’s wrong, sunshine?” Julie asked as she did a little dance around me. She was wearing reindeer antlers and obviously had enjoyed a couple of frosty cocktails since the start of the party.

“Nothing.”

“Why aren’t you drinking? And where is your ugly Christmas sweater?” She wrinkled her brow while glaring at me.

“I am wearing a sweater.”

“A sexy one. That’s no fair. Mine looks like Santa needs to get laid.”

I burst into laughter while taking a step away. “You’re right.”

“Ah, that’s what’s going on. You have a hot date with your own personal Santa.”

The laughter died in my throat and I was suddenly chewing on my inner cheek. “Maybe. I haven’t heard from him in hours. And he’s late.”

“Maybe he’s getting you another present.” Julie leaned in. “Maybe diamond nipple studs to go with your ten-million-dollar necklace.”

With Julie teasing me relentlessly about my dating life, I shouldn’t react to her salacious comment by blushing. Yet, I could feel the heat rising in more than along my cheeks. “If only that’s what I could count on with that man. No, he’s certainly never going to be considered Mr. Holiday Spirit.”

“Then grab a drink and enjoy yourself.” Julie wasn’t interested in taking no for an answer, shoving a glass of champagne into my hand.

“I am enjoying myself.” Said as I glanced toward the hallway leading to the entrance one more time.

“Hey. You know he adores you. Everyone knows he adores you. Besides, doesn’t he get a pass since he’s the hottest man in the city?”

I snapped my head in her direction.

“Don’t shoot the messenger. That’s what the article mentioned. That he was the hottest bachelor on the East Coast.”

The reporter had indeed made that comment as part of her full-page article on the medical facility. She’d done so after knowing the two of us were dating. The bitch.

I grinned inwardly while realizing I felt a hint of jealousy. What did that say about how I felt about the brooding Russian?

“Yes, she did say that.”

Around him, I sighed quite often. Between the project and how busy his company was with everyone trying to ship items before the holiday, we’d captured mere snippets of time together. But when we had, the sparks could have lit up the city for days.

He’d relaxed more around me than I’d thought possible, allowing me to see an even softer side to him. Yet the darkness would forever be with him. Sometimes it felt as if I was the only one who could see the pain behind his brooding exterior.

The true light was in being with Mina and even Shadow. I’d been shocked how much he adored the pup who was already close to seventy pounds and a true gentle giant.

“He gets more than a pass when we’re all alone together,” I cooed on purpose to stake my claim. “But that doesn’t mean he’s allowed to get off scot-free with his bad behavior.”