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“If I remember correctly, you enjoyed my choice last night.”
While a part of knew that by accepting the drink could lead to more, I was curious as to what the hell he was doing.
The smile on the Russian’s face was smug, as if he expected I would accept his gesture. As he held out the glass, he moved even closer, his expression turning more dominant. When I hesitated, he cocked his head. “The least you can do for coming to your aid is have one drink with me. In fact, I insist.”
Goddamn the man’s ego. I lifted my chin, staring him directly in the eyes. While he was eye candy for my soul, the red flags were popping all around me. However, if the handsome man wanted to play games, he had no idea the kind of woman he’d come up against.
Game on.
“Hmmm… I find it curious that you suddenly appeared at the same resort on the same Caribbean island that I did. If I was a suspicious woman, I’d say you were following me. Then I’d have to ask the question, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” While I allowed my voice to have a slight hint of discord, the desire for the man betrayed me enough that his nostrils flared as he took a deep whiff.
Then he broke into a full laugh, keeping the glass holding the drink intended for my consumption held out in front of me. “It would seem the lady doesn’t trust me.”
“The lady doesn’t trust the majority of people, at least unless I believe they’ve been completely honest with me. Given I don’t know your name, that would make it impossible. In addition, I would need to know your intentions before I could dare partake in a single thing you have to offer.”
My mystery lover narrowed his eyes, allowing another explosive gaze to trail down my cheek to my neck, lingering on the swell above my breasts then slowly lowering to my hips. When he brought it back, his dark eyes a direct reflection of his intensity, a searing shot of electricity pulsed in solid drum beats straight to my heated core.
He placed one glass on the bar then crooked his index finger, easing it under my chin. Then he narrowed the distance until our bodies were only inches apart, close enough I could hear the rapid beating of his heart.
Or maybe it was mine.
Very slowly he lowered his head, taking several deep breaths. “My name is Alexei Kozlov. As far as my intentions, allow me to be direct.” He brushed his lips across mine, pinching my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I intend on devouring every inch of your luscious body for days. Soon, my lioness, you will belong to me.”
CHAPTER6
“Vy ne molzhete izbezhat’ togo, chto, dolzhno proizoyti.”
You can’t avoid that which is meant to happen.
—Russian Proverb
Alexei
Ten minutes earlier
My mother enjoyed teaching her children, her use of Russian proverbs often of great annoyance for my brothers, sister, and myself. However, I realized much later in life that I’d remembered several of them, finding passages often fit whatever was happening in my life. I’d found it interesting that over the past few years, she’d lost interest in anything involving the culture she’d grown up with or the deep Russian roots running through her veins.
Now it seemed I reflected more on everything she’d taught us, continuing certain traditions even though almost everyone who met me believed I’d been born in the United States. The particular proverb that had run through my mind more than once over the last twelve hours was appropriate for my current circumstances.
Especially with regard to the lovely Stephanie Morgan. I’d had limited time looking into her background, finding only a few details of real interest, at least until my internet search had turned up an explosive new report from eight years in the past. When I’d learned she’d been the second chair in a high-profile prosecution several years before, I knew that fate had brought us together for a reason.
While it had become obvious that Gregory’s intentions in taking her as his bride were less than honorable, there’d been a reason he’d all but demanded she agree to marry him. What secrets was the lovely woman hiding under her conservative appearance and highly respected persona?
I’d easily determined her location, making a single phone call before learning of her change in plans. I had insiders almost everywhere in the world, men and women who were paid well for scraps of information. Securing her hotel of choice had been easy.
Breaking her resolve could prove to be something else entirely.
However, my interest in her had changed, especially given the years-old case that had already brought her into the center of my world.
She would soon face a dominating force, one I had a feeling she would fight as she’d done with everything else in her life. However, she would also learn that attempting to ignore my demands would prove to be in vain.
I smiled at the thought as I glanced over my shoulder at the calm waters of the bay. I hadn’t been to the island of St. Martin in several years, the French side entirely different than the Dutch. St. Maarten, as the locals spelled it, was luxurious in accommodations, a location where vacationers could indulge in spoiling their appetites, no matter how dark or dangerous they might be.
As Kostya appeared, I took a deep breath. He stood facing the bay, his dark sunglasses unable to hide his anger at being summoned.
“Zaymites’ delom. U menya yest’ rabota,” he snarled.
Get on with business. I have work to do.
