AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Niki just laughs. “I know Mom will move back eventually. By the time that happens, maybe I won’t be living there anymore.”
She lifts her chin, annoyed that I didn’t even think of that possibility. Truthfully, I didn’t.
“How long have you been thinking about leaving?” I ask her quietly.
“Long enough,” she says. “I’m twenty-seven, Misha. It’s time. I need to figure out my own path. You and Maksim knew what you were gonna be from day one. But me? All anyone expected from me was to marry well. I want more for myself.”
“Good. You should.”
She leans in, her voice low. “FYI, most women want more for themselves than a powerful husband.”
It’s not hard to guess who she’s talking about or what she’s trying to get me to understand. I wave her away. “Make sure Paige doesn’t see you with those samples.”
“Aye, aye, captain.” She gives me a dramatic salute and disappears down the hallway.
* * *
It strikes me as I mount the stairs that I haven’t been on very many dates in my life.
There were always women, of course. But they came and went like ships in the night. I met them in clubs, parties, on yachts and private planes. They were always well-spoken and well-dressed, each one vying to make an impression.
But in the end, I barely paid attention to what they said. I was only ever interested in getting them in my bed. And the moment the fucking was over, I lost interest in them completely.
Which is why I always assumed the same thing would happen with Paige, too. That the interest would wither and wane. I’m still floored that it hadn’t. That itstillhasn’t…
I put on the three-piece suit that I picked specifically for this occasion. It might be overkill, but fuck it, Paige wanted a date. She is going to get adate.
Once I’ve spritzed myself with cologne and aftershave, I grab the single long-stemmed rose that I’d had Mario bring in from the garden and take the stairs to pick my wife up for our date.
Outside of her door, I straighten my jacket and then knock twice.
Seconds pass with no answer, so I try again.
“Misha?” she calls from within. “The door is open. You can come in. I’m almost ready.”
I hesitate, unsure if I want to wait and come back or what. But then the door opens.
And my God, she is a fucking vision.
Paige is standing in the center of the room in a stunning silver dress, one high-heeled shoe in her hand and the other on the carpet next to her bare feet. Her hair tumbles gracefully down her back in a mocha waterfall. Her skin glows, her lips beckon. Every curve is a fucking poem.
She looks down at the shoe in her hand. “I was having trouble deciding which shoes to wear. Is it eight o’clock already?”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll hold the table for us.”
She giggles, then bites her lip and waves me into the room. But I stop on the threshold. The last thing I need is for my willpower to buckle before we can make it to dinner. The more distance between us, the safer we are.
She must sense that hesitation, because her smile fades. She sits down on the end of the bed and starts to fasten one shoe in place. But the buckle is stiff and her nails are giving her trouble. I watch her fumble with the straps for a moment before I can’t take it anymore.
Striding forward, I kneel at her feet and snatch the shoe from her hands. I place her palms flat on the bed at her sides, lingering there just for a moment so she understands that she is not to move them until I give her permission.
Then, holding my breath deep in my chest, I pull the shoe back on her foot. Her calf is smooth and supple beneath my fingertips, and so, so warm. Her fragrance makes my head swim. I latch one shoe, then take the other from the floor behind me and do the same.
When I’m done, I let my hands fall to my lap. Only then do I breathe at last.
This was stupid. Keeping my distance was the better idea.
I back away as she swallows and stands. “Okay,” she announces a moment later. “Now, I’m ready.”
