"I look forward to it," Taty glanced at Mike, "but I do not travel to the United States often. Perhaps you will come to Europe, yes?"
A half smile played on Justin's lips. "I'm rarely away from my restaurants. Perhaps one day in the future we will meet again. Until then, sheidzleba t'k'ven gak'vt' sasiamovno ts'khovrebashi."
Taty giggled as she spoke, "I hope your life is pleasant too, although that phrase you may need to work on. Your pronunciation was not so good."
Justin hung his head and sighed. "I told you I need to stick to food. Good evening." He moved on to the next table, the low rumble of his voice as he spoke with his patrons could be heard although the words weren't distinguishable. Mike stared at her determined to get back to the mission at hand, and that mission was to seduce the Bravata operative sitting across from him. Thanks to that little conversation, Guardian knew her name and knew the date and time he'd be in the Bronx. He watched her fidget under his unyielding stare.
"What?" She glanced at her dress.
"Entice me." His words tumbled out of his mouth before his brain engaged. She glanced out at the shielded tables before she picked up a fig from the plate and leaned over the table offering it to him. He bit the morsel in half ensuring his tongue swept the pad of her finger in the process. He watched a shiver run over her. "Are you cold?"
"No." The lust in her expressive eyes answered his question before she swallowed hard and licked her lips. Her hands trembled slightly, and her breath came in shallow pants. All indicators told him she needed, no she desired more, and that was exactly where he intended to keep her for the next forty-eight hours.
The waiters continued the well-rehearsed and expertly choreographed dance, removing plates, filling glasses and silently slipping away. The finger-foods continued as if the entire dinner had been imagined and prepared for lovers. Mike deliberately teased Tatyana's senses with slow lingering kisses between courses. His cock hated the languid pace he'd set out for tonight's seduction, but for once while dealing with this woman, his cock wasn't doing all the thinking for him. The conversation with Justin brought the reality of his mission front and center. No, tonight's seduction was aimed at lowering every defense she had. He wanted her stripped bare, both emotionally and physically. He knew he was developing feelings for the woman, but if he could keep her off balance and looking to him to lead, maybe—just maybe, he could protect himself from the disaster that had been coming from the moment he decided to seduce her.
Mike put his finger under her chin and lowered his lips to hers, giving the briefest touch before he moved away. Her small sigh indicated her reluctance to end the kiss so soon. The wait staff floated in again, exchanging plates and glasses. The dessert was a classic, chocolate covered strawberries. Although the liqueur-infused, imported chocolate ganache, hand-decorated with white chocolate and edible gold leaf were a far cry from the standard fare.
Strawberry nectar dripped across her bottom lip as he pulled the fruit away. Chief licked the sweetness from her kiss-swollen lips. "Are you ready to leave?" He whispered the question before he granted another feather-soft sweep of his mouth over hers.
"God, yes. Please." Her eyes closed momentarily. She pushed her cheek into his hand. He stood and extended his hand after he took the time to adjust his suit jacket to hide the obvious effects of the night.
She glanced around and tugged on his hand as he started to leave. "You need to pay."
He dropped his hand to her waist and guided her toward the entrance. "They have my information. I can't tell you the last time I've had to deal with a bill." He paused as their coats appeared. He couldn't help thinking of when he'd actually last paid for his meal. He had breakfast at the little diner in Hollister, South Dakota the morning before he left for this mission. Genevieve's homemade breakfast biscuits and cinnamon rolls were amazing. But as good as the food was, the little diner's friendly, homey atmosphere was what sold the place to everyone who worked at Guardian.
He swatted away the feelings of homesickness. He wouldn't allow himself to think about his wants or desires. There were too many innocent lives at stake for him to take his focus off the finish line.Whatever it takes. As long as it takes. The specter of Alpha Team's motto slipped through his mind as he waited for Tatyana to fasten the neck clasp of her fur cape. He'd bet his last dollar none of the team would think seducing a Russian mobster would fall into that parameter. He smiled at the fun the Wonder Twins would have with that thought. Mike shook his head and sighed. Dixon and Drake were his brothers. Annoying little shits, but brothers nonetheless.
Cold, brisk air filled his lungs as he exited the building, clearing his mind of any lingering thoughts of home. His security team appeared and escorted them to the waiting limousine.
"Well, he's definitely not gay." Tori cocked her head as she watched the video feed from the restaurant.
"What? Who said he was?" Jewell whispered as if the people on the monitor could hear them.
"Jacob didn't know for sure. Not that he cared. Shit girl, would you look at that? Chief has got some moves." Tori had unconsciously lowered her voice to match her sister-in-law's volume.
"Seriously, how is this even the same man we knew?" Jewell nudged her with an elbow when Chief ran his thumb across the woman's cheek.
"I don't know. I wouldn't have recognized him if I passed him on the street that's for sure. The haircut, suit… hell, even his mannerisms are different. He seems so relaxed, and he's actually talking to her… well, he was." Tori shifted her weight to her right hip and watched, mesmerized by the couple on the screen.
"Shit, this is like watching porn. He's making my princess parts tingle." Jewell stepped closer.
Tori mimicked her actions. Chief cupped the woman's neck and pulled her in for a long, slow kiss.
"Fuck me, that's so hot." Jewell sighed.
"What's hot?" Jacob asked.
Both women jerked around at his sudden presence and loud question. "Shit, you scared me!" Tori shrieked.
"Sorry, you must have been focused on the computer not to hear me come in,"
Tori stepped into her husband's rock solid chest. He enveloped her in his embrace and dropped his head onto her shoulder peering at the video screen. "What in the hell are you two watching?"
"Chief and his date, a Ms. Tatyana Petrov. They're at Justin's newest restaurant in New York." Jewell filled him in as Tori turned in Jacob's arms so she could see the monitor. They watched as Chief leaned away from Tatyana and smiled. The couple exchanged some hushed conversation before he lifted one of the chocolate covered strawberries to her mouth. Both women sighed as Chief fed the fruit to the woman.
"I'm never going to let him live this one down. 007's got nothing on Chief." The absolute delight in Jacob's voice spun Tori around.
"No." She pointed at her husband and squinted her eyes.
"No, what?" Jacob blinked looking cross-eyed at the finger suddenly an inch from his nose.
"No, you will not use anything you've seen on this video to tease or humiliate that man."
"I won't?"
"No, you won't." Jewell chimed into the conversation.
"Why the hell not? He knows he's being recorded!" Jacob pointed at the screen.
"Seriously?" Tori planted her hands on her hips and glared at the mountain of man-child she'd married.
"Well… yeah?" The confusion on his face was priceless, but she wasn't going to let him know that. The men on Alpha team were always razzing each other. They lived for it.
"No. That man is doing his job." She turned around and cocked her head as Chief stood and extended his hand to the woman. His excited condition was readily apparent before he adjusted his suit jacket. "Damn, she's got him hot and bothered." The words tumbled out of Tori's mouth unabated.
"Well, duh." Jacob snorted his retort and crossed his arms over his chest.
Both women turned
to look at him at the same time.
"What? She's hot!" Jacob paused and blinked when he registered the expression on his wife's face. "But not hotter than you babe. Seriously, she doesn't hold a candle to you."
"Smooth, little brother. So freaking smooth." Jewell flipped the switch turning the monitor off. "I'm going to start a background check on Chief's little Russian hottie. Come on, Norman." Jewell called over her shoulder to her bodyguard-slash-personal assistant. The man powered down his mini tablet and lifted away from the wall following after Jewell.
Jacob watched them leave. "I thought his name was Fred?"
"It's Zachary… I think."
"Huh." Jacob closed the space separating them. "You know I only have eyes for you, right baby?"
Tori flipped the monitor back on and hit several keys without answering. Finally, she found a camera view of the couple at the front of the establishment. Tori magnified the screenshot, so only the couple was visible. Chief put his hands into his pockets while his back was to the camera. "Well, I mean she is pretty, but daaammmn, would you look at Chief's ass? I never noticed how nice it was before. Maybe it's the suit."
"Oh, hell no." Jacob spun her around and dropped down, launching her over his shoulder. "I'll show you who has a nice ass, woman."
Tori reached down and grabbed his ass cheek. "Yes, dear, I agree you are the best ass around."
"Damn straight, woman." Jacob opened the door and strode into the hall.
"Works every time." Her laughter nearly obliterated her words.
Chapter Eighteen
The sexual tension that ignited in the restaurant smoldered in the limousine on the ride back to the apartment. Chief pulled her tiny form on top of him, allowing the mink to drape over both of them. His hands traveled her soft curves of their own accord while he lost himself in her kisses. Her hand cupped his hard-as-diamonds cock. He grasped her hand and moved it away immediately. The woman had him so revved up he'd lose it in his pants like a horny teenager. Thankfully, the car parked at the apartment building before he did something that embarrassing. He gently pushed Tatyana back. Her lust-filled gaze and swollen shiny lips made him groan internally. She ignited a passion he'd never felt before. His need and desire peaked. She was everything he'd ever wanted. Tonight he was going to turn off the voices in his head that told him he shouldn't want her because he did … God help him, he did.
The car door barely opened before Chief hauled ass out of the vehicle nearly dragging Tatyana behind him. Her low sexy laugh brought a smile to his face. The knowing smirks from his security team would be addressed tomorrow. Chief pulled Tatyana into the waiting elevator and fused his lips to hers before the door shut. The mink was lost, and so was his wool coat. Chief somehow bunched the skirt of her dress up, grabbing her ass, gathering her tight against him. Taty shoved her hands between them. Her fingers fumbled with his belt and zipper. Lust, desire, want … hell, unrestrained need drove through his veins like a runaway freight train. He pulled away from her succulent lips long enough to shed his suit jacket and tie.
The elevator door opened … or it had been open and Chief's hunger had blinded him to the fact. He led her through to the entryway of the apartment. He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He pinned her against the wall sending a framed painting askew. A rush of air pushed out of her with the movement. Chief kissed her hard before he pulled away the barest amount. "I can't stop. I fucking need to be in you."
"Yes. Yes, want you. Hard. Now." Tatyana wrapped her arms around his neck and bit his jaw line, before sucking away the sting. Chief released his straining cock from his boxers. He fought momentarily with the folds of her skirt until she groaned and bunched the material up around her waist.
"Thank fuck." Chief groaned before he slid into her heat. Rivulets of electricity rocketed through every fiber of his body. He lifted her small body easily. She fit perfectly against and around him. He pulled away from the wall and held her as he drove into her core. He thrust as if his life depended on it. The woman was a drug, and he was chasing his high. His balls drew up, and his mind blanked to everything except the woman in his arms. He pushed her back against the wall, lifted her legs higher and slammed home. His brain couldn't process her moaned Russian words, but he could and did understand her legs tightening around his waist and the way her body tightened and milked his cock. He braced against her and came inside her. The intensity of the orgasm nearly put him on his knees. They held each other tightly. The ecstasy lasted until he realized he'd just had unprotected sex. He tensed immediately.
Tatyana cupped his face in her hands. "Hey. I'm clean, and I'm on birth control. Nothing bad will come of this."
He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I…"
"I am an adult, too. I could have said stop. I knew we were protected and I wanted you."
He got it, he did. But, he'd seen what happened to Doc. The vicious woman that had used a pregnancy to bring the man to his knees flashed through his mind.
"Stop worrying. I do not want a child. I wear an IUD. You understand this?" Her Russian accent thickened slightly.
"I do." He shook his head still not ready to stop his self-flagellation. It was fucking irresponsible and insane to have unprotected sex.
"Come. Shower with me." She headed toward the bathroom dropping the dress at the door. It fell from her shoulders and pooled at her feet in a cloud. "Do bring condoms, David. I would hate to spoil the mood again."
Chief watched her small, supple body ghost through the bedroom door. Fuck, he was in over his head. He loosened his tie and undid the top button of his shirt. He'd lost his mind. "Stop worrying. Come shower with me." Tatyana's voice carried from the bathroom. Chief grinned and shook his head. He did need a shower.
David collapsed on top of her. His body weight prevented any thought of a deep breath, and God, she could use a deep breath. The man was phenomenal in bed. Actually, in and out of bed. Taty considered him the best lover she'd ever enjoyed. After the quick, hard and perfect fuck in the hallway, he'd brought her off three times before he allowed himself to finish. Her body ached in the most pleasant way. The man was a playground of solid muscle punctuated with slides of tender caresses and a see-saw of soft kisses. She had no idea a lover could be so selfless. The men she'd been with in the past were more interested in what they got out of the encounter than pleasing her. Then there were the men who tried but failed. The sheer number of times she'd faked an orgasm to get an inept lover off her was mind boggling. Men like David were rare, a lover who took care of her and had the sensual skill to drive her into a frenzy. He made her want to give him as much pleasure as she'd received—which was almost inconceivable.
David groaned, lifted and rolled to the side, allowing her lungs to expand. The flushed heat of their shared passion cooled quickly. He took care of the condom and reached for her, pulling her back into his side. Tatyana relaxed into the rock hard muscles and closed her eyes. Minus his freak out about the condom, the evening had been a storybook night. She felt like a princess who'd been rescued by the dashing prince and swept away from a horrible existence.
David's hand stroked her stomach with his fingertips. The caress brought her out of the orgasm induced stupor where she'd allowed herself to drift. His soft petting somehow became more intimate than the sex they'd just shared. He kissed her shoulder moments before his hand stilled and his breath evened out as he slipped into sleep. Taty's fingers dipped between David's as he slumbered. She longed for the connection she imagined, all the while knowing she could never really have it.
A small snore brought a small smile forward. God knew the man deserved a proper rest. From what she'd observed, he never stopped working and rarely slept. She'd overheard David and Joel going over his insane schedule for the upcoming week earlier this morning. The only oddity was the void in his schedule on Wednesday. His off-handed words with the restaurate
ur tonight confirmed when they'd take receipt of the fifteen women he'd ordered during that time. Taty tensed at the thought. Nothing about David, his actions or his business, would lead her to believe he was a criminal. One thing she'd learned from her training with MI6 and the Bravata was to watch and listen to absolutely everything. She'd been intensely focused on David Xavier since she'd been confined inside his gilded cage. His staff loved him. Everyone spoke of his kindness. The security teams respected him. She'd seen the deference they treated him with, and it was an earned respect, not a token response. Some very important pieces to the puzzle of Mr. David Xavier were missing. The question was how in the world could she find the ones that would make sense of his actions?
David shifted behind her and rolled onto his back. Deep quiet breaths steadied once again. Taty glanced at his phone on the nightstand. She turned her head and glanced at him as he slept and then looked again at the phone. A glimmer of an idea breezed through her mind. The procedures for manipulating a home screen lock were plastered all over the internet, and she'd hacked her own phone to practice. Anyone could bypass the lock screen in a heartbeat, and with access to a computer, she could download his emails, contacts, and photos.
David had told her any activities on the electric devices he'd allowed her access to were monitored. But if she used his phone, his security team wouldn't know what she was doing. Or what she'd done, if she was successful. No, getting information to assist MI6 could blow her cover and jeopardize the goal of getting to the bastard at the top of the Bravata. But David's phone wasn't monitored. She could get in, get to her shadow account and get out within minutes. The small rectangle was a lifeline to MI6 and lay within an arm's reach while David slept soundly beside her. Hell, she didn't even have to leave the bed. She could position the sheets up over her head so the illumination from the face of the phone wouldn't disturb him. The mental pros and cons battled against themselves in her brain for over a half hour before she finally made a decision.
Chief (Kings of Guardian Book 7) (The Kings of Guardian) Page 13