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“Nope. If they don’t bat an eye at the price, then maybe I’ll get their numbers. If they do, then we don’t give them a second glance.”
“Not me. Don’t involve me in one of your testing charades. I don’t know why you just can’t take a man at face value. Why do you need to analyze him so much before committing?”
“I need to know a man wants me and this body and not my money. You have your ways of weaning through the bad ones and I have my ways. Which by the way, you haven’t hooked up with anyone in like forever. What’s with that? You can’t tell me that Big Dave does it for you.”
Aspen chuckled at the mention of Big Dave, the extra thick long dildo Aspen purchased a few years back. India and her joked around about the name and the device, and especially when Aspen turned down offers of sex from real men. Aspen had a hard time with the intimacy and physical touching during sex. She could never really give up control and just let go no matter how much she wanted to. Her first lover was in college and truly just an excuse to get rid of her virginity and try to gain back some control and empowerment over her body. Thank God the men who had abducted her hadn’t been successful in raping her and selling her off. She would surely have died.
Her second attempt at another near disastrous encounter was with Billy. He was such a sweet, compassionate man but when it came to sex. He just didn’t have what it took to satisfy her. It was literally one time and they never saw one another again.
Aspen watched as the waiter brought over the bottle of wine, showed India the bottle then opened it. She went through the motions of examining the cork, sniffing the glass of wine and then sipping the small bit. She nodded and the waiter poured them both the glasses of wine then set the bottle on the table in a holder.
Aspen thought back on three years ago and her third attempt at sex. She was drunk, hoping intoxication would weaken her defenses and resolve at India’s place during a huge party she had. The guy was gorgeous, wealthy, very muscular and charismatic. She thought this was finally it, a man capable of breaking down her defenses and bringing her the moment of pleasure she heard about and read about in magazines and talking to India. But once again, her inability to let go, to give in and allow a man to deeply connect to her, failed. So, she gave up. She purchased Big Dave and hadn’t bothered having sex with anyone.
“Okay, sweetie, there are four of them heading over here. You choose first or they can choose for us. Maybe Big Dave won’t be getting any action tonight, but two of these men will,” India said as the four men approached.
Aspen felt her heart race and pound inside her chest. India had a lot more confidence when it came to flirting. But as Aspen looked over the four men, one of them stood out immediately as someone she had seen before.
“Aspen Brooks, I thought that was you,” he said, as he moved really close and eyed her body over. The thick Russian accent couldn’t be mistaken. India picked up on it, too. The other three put all their attention on her and barely on India. India’s concerned expression was ignored a moment as she gave the once-over back to Iakov. The son of a bitch was one of Andrei’s cousins. Now, getting a closer look at the other three as they took seats surrounding her and India, Aspen gained back that confidence and instant business attitude. Andrei wanted to place guards on her and watch her every move? Then she was going to act unaffected. What did it matter now, the deal was done. There was nothing she could do to change things or make it up to Andrei. Besides, she didn’t trust the man to keep his hands off of her anyway.
“Iakov, meet my friend India. India this is one of Andrei’s cousins. I presume your friends here are also on the payroll?” Aspen asked and Iakov smiled. He winked at India and didn’t bother with any introductions.
Instead he looked Aspen over again and licked his lower lip holding her gaze intently.
“Seems you’ve gone and pissed off my cousin.” She started to speak but he cut her off. “And for some reason he still likes you and wants to talk.”
“Talk?” She asked not believing him at all.
Iakov reached for her hand and covered it with his. He leaned closer to whisper so she would only hear him and not India or the others. Not that it mattered, the others were flirting with India and totally trying to get her to give them her number.
His cold, hard hand covered her hand that was on her thigh.
“You have something he wants, or at least an ability to get it. Lose your friends who are on their way over here, and I’ll call you within the hour with a location to meet at.” He winked and then stood up just as Storm’s body guards approached the table. They probably had to call the guys first and ask what they should do. Especially since Aspen was sure they witnessed the exchange between her, India, and these four men and the bottle of wine.
The four men walked away and the guards asked if India and Aspen were okay.
“Of course we are,” Aspen said and then reached for the wine glass. She downed the wine and looked at India.
“I think our plans for the afternoon have changed.”
She saw India’s concerned expression as the guards walked away and knew that India would help her lose the security guys. This was something she needed to face, or she may never get Andrei off her ass. Ignoring a mob boss would get her killed.
* * * *
“She’ll never agree to meet me here at my home. Text her to be at Almafi’s at five,” Andrei told I
akov.
“Almafi’s? Aren’t you meeting Sotoro there?” Iakov asked Andrei.
“I am, but she won’t know anything about that. I don’t expect Aspen to stay long. Once I tell her what I need from her and how she’s going to assist me then we’ll be done. She’ll high tail it outta there quickly.”
“What is it that you need her to do, and do you think she’ll actually do it?”
“Oh, she’ll come through. Her brother’s life and his friends’ lives depends upon it.”
* * * *
Aspen’s phone rang as she got out of the cab outside of Almafi’s restaurant. She kind of felt badly for losing Storm’s security detail. It also made her feel a bit naked not having the gun power nearby, but she needed to do this. Besides, this place was always so crowded. Too many people around to not notice her arrival or see that she was meeting Iakov. What she hadn’t expected was to see Demyan there nor for him to greet her. His eyes widened and a small smirk took over his expression. She on the other hand felt on edge a bit more than a few moments ago.
