by Diane Leyne
Where the hell was she?
He pulled out his cell phone and called her number. She answered, sounding sleepy.
“Maks?”
“Yes, this is Maks.”
“Where are you?”
“Seattle. Where are you?”
“In your bed, waiting. Are you still at the airport? Do you want me to come and get you?”
“I’m actually sitting on your bed. I managed to get the last flight out and wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, you did do that. What time is it anyway?”
“Almost three.”
“Ugh, no wonder I’m so tired. I waited up for you until after midnight.”
He felt his heart swell. She’d waited for him. He decided he needed to be selfless. “Look, Angel. It’s late. If we get together now, we won’t get any more sleep. Why don’t you go back to sleep there and I’ll sleep here. Tomorrow night, I’ll make it up to you.”
“Oh, Maks. I know I should say no and insist on coming home, but I’m exhausted. Tomorrow night, or rather tonight, we’ll make it special.”
“Tonight.”
* * * *
Maks woke up feeling just as unrested as when he had talked to her. He had barely slept. Surely if he loved her, he’d have rushed back to his place and made love to her no matter how tired they were? Right? That’s what love was like.
And now he’d been in the office for hours and hadn’t seen more than a glimpse of her. He’d spent the morning with Irina Romanova, the head of the design team going over what had been done in his absence. As good as Eve’s ideas were, Irina had taken them and made them better. She was a beautiful woman with an impeccable sense of style and you could see it from her design work.
She was a very sexy woman, too. He knew she was open to a relationship with him, but he’d made it clear from the beginning that he didn’t mix business with pleasure. Or, at least he didn’t until he met Eve.
The day flew by with one crisis after the other. Thank goodness Irina was back from vacation. Together they got everything under control, but it had taken a lot of work. They’d kept going through lunch and he’d asked Mrs. Haven to order in for them.
He’d only seen Eve once in the morning and that was when Irina had gone to get their food. Eve had walked in with a big grin on her face as she invited him to lunch, but he was on a conference call and couldn’t be interrupted. He smiled at her but then turned his attention back to the people on the phone. He was talking to a client about a multi-million-dollar deal. He needed his wits about him during the call, and when Eve was around, his blood quickly went south.
He saw the look on Eve’s face and felt terrible. He considered for a second putting the call on hold to explain, but the client was twitchy and he had to do his best sales job. And where the hell was Irina? She was supposed to be getting some projections that he needed for this call.
* * * *
Eve watched as Irina shut the door in her face. Correction, she’d shut Maks’s door in her face. He was busy, she got that. He was having a working lunch with Irina. She got that. He was a busy man, an important one who ran a company. She had to be understanding, but it would be a lot easier if she hadn’t seen the grin on Irina’s face. She had looked like that cat who had swallowed the canary, even as she said all the right things.
“I am so sorry, Eve. Maks has a business crisis to deal with and we are going to have to work all through lunch to try to solve it. You are new. You won’t understand, but trust me. We will work through lunch and we will fix it together. I am sure you understand your presence would only be a distraction.”
What she’d wanted to do was punch Irina in the nose. What she did was head back to her desk and mope until Beth invited her to lunch with several of the designers.
“So, just how much Botox do you think Miss Irina ‘Stick Up Her Ass’ Romanova has had?”
“Beth! You shouldn’t. We shouldn’t!”
“Of course we should. Woman’s a grade A bitch. And I think she’s had her boobs done. Too bad she couldn’t get a personality transplant while she was at it.”
Eve looked at her friend and started chuckling. The chuckle turned to full-fledged laughter until she was actually crying. Finally, it subsided and she wiped her eyes on the napkin.
“It wasn’t that funny, Eve.”
“Yes it was, and it was exactly what I needed!”
“In that case, I have more for you.”
They ended up having a wonderful catty conversation over their meal. It seemed that Ms. Romanova wasn’t very popular and they were not happy how she was taking credit for all of Eve’s ideas. They were also intrigued by her relationship with the Andreivich brothers. Beth had picked up an Angelica Adams novel while on the tour and had downloaded others. She’d also e-mailed the links to the other two designers and the three of them had spent the last few days reading up on BDSM.
Eve was a bit embarrassed until she realized that they were thrilled she was dating the brothers and they hoped it worked out.
“Ms. Romanova thinks she’s going to eventually marry Maks and then the firm will become A+R+A. Or maybe she wants it to be R+A+A. Who knows? But with you around, her influence on Maks will eventually wane. She’s nowhere near as good as she thinks she is or he thinks she is.”
When lunch was over, Eve felt back in fighting trim. She’d show up at Maks’s door at 5:00 p.m. and they’d go back to his place or her place. She was prepared for both by packing a small overnight kit. Then they’d eat, talk, and fuck like bunnies, not necessarily in that order.
But the best laid plans…When she got to Maks’s office, the door was closed. Mrs. Haven was packing up her desk and she didn’t look happy.
“I’m sorry, Eve. Mr. Andreivich has already left. He had to go to a business meeting that will probably go into dinner.”
“Does he want me to join him? Is it that kind of dinner?”
She knew by the look on Mrs. Haven’s face that she wasn’t going to like what she had to say.
“It’s strictly business, or at least that’s what Ms. Romanova told me.”
“She’s at the dinner, too?”
Mrs. Haven nodded.
“He had a message for you, though. He said he didn’t know how late he would be, but he’d stop by your place once the dinner was over.”
Mrs. Haven reached over and took Eve’s hand.
“Don’t. Just…don’t. You are twice the woman she is. I’ve seen how his eyes light up when he sees you. Don’t doubt his feelings. But he’s not used to needing anyone. He practically raised his brother. He’s always put Alexi first his entire life. The fact that he fought his brother over you tells me just how much he cares. You just have to get past his prickly exterior and his overdeveloped sense of obligation to his brother and the family firm. Don’t let that woman make you walk away without a fight. He’s worth it.”
“And Alexi?”
“They are both worth it. They balance each other out in a way. Maks’s darkness and Alexi’s light. All work and all play. Together they are a great team, and with you, you make them both better men. I’ve seen it in the short time you’ve been here. Fight for your men young lady, or you aren’t the woman I thought you were!”
Tears filled Eve’s eyes and she leaned over to hug her friend. “Thank you, Mrs. Haven. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
Chapter Nine
Maks looked across the table at Irina. She smiled and checked her watch.
“The clients will be here soon, Maks. This will be worth your while, I promise.”
“So you say. I just got back from Chicago and I’d really like to go home and go to bed…” His voice trailed off. That wasn’t precisely true. He wanted to go to bed, but not his own. He wanted to be with Eve. After last night’s mix-up, he was crazy to be alone with her. But he was also a businessman. He’d spent the last decade building Andreivich Engineering from the ground up. And it had been his proudest day when Alexi had graduated with his
architectural degree and he was able to rename the firm Andreivich + Andreivich.
That meant that if the clients wanted to meet with him, he’d meet with them. He’d made many sacrifices over the years to grow the business. Why was this one so hard?
“I know what you are thinking about, Maks, or should I say who!” Irina’s voice was coy. Was he that transparent? He ran his hand through his hair.
“I’m sorry, Irina. My mind isn’t on business right now.”
“I understand completely. You are worried about Alexi. His new girlfriend is all alone and you want to keep an eye on her for him. That is only sensible. They are a new couple and if he is gone a lot, maybe she will find another man and break his heart.”
He looked at her.
“What are you saying? You think Eve doesn’t love Alexi?”
“Oh, no, Maks. No, they make a lovely couple, and I am sure she cares about him. But her I don’t know. Alexi I know. Alexi wears his heart on his sleeve. Your brother is crazy in love and it would kill him if she was with another man. You are a good brother to look after his interests for him. You know, at first I thought you wanted her for yourself, but then I got to know her.”
“Oh?” Maks’s tone was glacial, but she continued.
“Maks, I am your friend. I say this only because I care for you both. I have seen them together in the office, the way his eyes follow her everywhere. She is truly lovely and she laughs with everyone, and I see Alexi’s face each time she talks to another man, even you, my friend. I think that he worries that you covet her.”
“Nonsense. Alexi would have said something.”
“Would he, Maks? He loves you. He worships you. You are not just a brother to him, but a father, too. He would do anything to gain your approval. Anything. The thought that you didn’t just approve of his woman but wanted to share her with him? There is no way he could say no to you, Maks. He has followed you in everything, all of your lives. You are the hero he’s always looked up to. He’s always tried to imitate you, copy your ways and your tastes. Even this Club Libertine. You became a Dom, he became a Dom.
“And now, for the first time ever, he has something that you want. How can he say no?”
“Eve.”
“Yes, Eve.”
“Has he said something to you, Irina?”
“Words, no, Maks. But I know him. Look, Maks. Have you ever shared one of your women with him?”
“Of course not!”
“Yet you expect him to share his.”
“She loves me. He wants to please her.”
“Are you sure? Or does she love Alexi so much she’ll do anything for him? And he loves you so much that he asks her do this to please you?”
Maks wasn’t sure if he was pleased or not by the interruption as the potential clients arrived. It was two couples from Texas. The Abernathys, father and son, ran the business together and their wives had accompanied them on this trip. They were looking to open a business of some sort in the Seattle area. It was a good thing that their needs lay more in the design than engineering area. Irina kept them entertained while drawing out their needs.
He tried to participate, but his thoughts kept going back to what she’d said. Was Alexi really okay with sharing Eve? He’d met her first, loved her first. Maks had bulldozed his way into the relationship, not pausing to wonder if he was wanted.
He knew that the sex was explosive when the three of them were together. He frowned. Did he really love Eve? They hadn’t ever really been alone together. That was supposed to happen last night, but his flight had come in late. Tonight was their second chance and yet he was here with Irina.
Dammit. He loved her. Or he was falling in love with her. The way she’d stood up to him, her beautiful smile, and her spectacular butt. Of course he loved her.
He looked down as the waiter slid his entree in front of him. Prime rib. His favorite. But suddenly he had no appetite, at least not for food. He pushed the plate away.
“I’m sorry, gentlemen. I have an urgent personal matter to attend to, but I am leaving you in most capable hands.”
* * * *
Eve laughed as she adjusted the earpiece. The speakers on her laptop weren’t working so she needed to use the earphones to hear Alexi. Luckily, she could see him just fine.
He was so much fun to be around, even by Skype. He made her laugh. He made her horny. He was an optimist by nature, finding the fun in everything. He was funny and sweet and every day she felt herself falling a little more in love with him. Which made is even more surprising that she also could love his brother.
“Babe, you are frowning. What did my brother do that has upset you?”
“What makes you think I’m thinking about him?”
“As I said, you were frowning. Maks causes everyone to frown. Sometimes he makes them cry, especially the women, but sometimes the men. He can be a big loud Russian bear sometimes and scare people. Did he do something to piss you off? If he did, when I come back, I will kick his ass. You have only to ask. Was he not satisfactory in bed last night? I have heard he can be selfish in bed. If he did not make you come at least half a dozen times I will cane his ass. No, I will tie him down and let you cane his ass. That will teach him to leave our woman unsatisfied.”
“I haven’t even seen your brother in days, not really. I probably saw him for a total of five minutes at work today. That’s it.”
“But he was supposed to come home last night and make sweet love to you. He only had two nights alone with you and then I will be home and the two of us will fuck your brains out, babe!”
Eve laughed at his cheesy delivery. “No, no. It wasn’t his fault. His flight was late and then I went to his place to wait for him and he came straight to my place. It was just a miscommunication.”
“But then why did you not see him at work? If it was me, I would have taken you into my office, locked the door, and had my way with you until you screamed for mercy. Then I’d have you again.”
“I would have liked that too, but work comes first, Alexi. Maks spent the whole day with Irina dealing with some sort of emergency.”
“And now, why are you on Skype with me and not in bed with him?”
“More work. He and Irina are at dinner with some potential new clients.”
“Why didn’t you go with them?”
“I wasn’t asked.”
“I would have asked you.”
“Yes, I know you would. You are the sweetest, kindest man I know.”
“With the biggest cock!”
“Alexi!” She was blushing. She would never get used to his blunt sex talk.
“It is true! Admit it.” When she hesitated, he stood up and dropped his pants, right on camera. Then he stroked it and she found herself getting aroused as it got hard in his at his ministrations.
“Look at it. All for you. Don’t you wish you were here with me in San Diego? I wouldn’t leave you alone. No matter how late I got home…And I certainly wouldn’t have gone to a dinner without you, especially with that bitch Irina.”
“Maybe he likes Irina. She is very pretty. She is so much more elegant than me. And she is very good at business. You’ve seen the work she’s done on the designs.”
“I’ve seen her steal your ideas. People think I just play, but I work, too. I want to make my brother proud and I want to make you proud.”
“You already do, Alexi.”
“You are far too good for me, Eve, but you are mine and I’m not letting you go.”
“You are never going to lose me, Alexi!”
“Good. My brother, though, him I may disown! Choosing business with Irina over making love with you…he is crazy. Clearly he doesn’t love you enough.”
* * * *
Maks drove quickly and pulled up at Eve’s behind her car. Using the key she had given him, he let himself in. She wasn’t downstairs. He headed upstairs. Was she in bed already? It wasn’t that late? He reached the second floor. He could hear her voice. He smiled. For the
first time all day, he felt good, damned good. He’d had another first today too. He’d blown off business to be with his woman. He’d never put pleasure before business, ever. Not once in his life. But now he was here and he was standing outside her door as nervous as a school boy, his stomach tied up in knots.
He hated to admit that he was partially here because of what Irina said. He wanted to think that he was so in love that he’d blown off work to play, but if he was honest with himself, Irina had caused him to doubt what he and Eve had. He wanted, he needed to see her and touch her and reassure himself that what they had was real.
He wouldn’t talk to her about his worries, though. He would talk to Alexi first. If Alexi wanted Eve to himself, Maks would walk away. It would kill him, but he would do it for his brother.
He reached for the knob and started to push the door open. He could hear her voice now, but not the person she was talking to. He paused as her words became clear.
“Oh, Alexi, I love you so much. I will be counting the hours until 4:00 p.m. and you roll into the office and sweep me off my feet.” Pause. “I love Bistro Maguire.” Pause. “But your brother is very talented in bed and I love being the center of an Andreivich sandwich!” Pause. “Fine, yes, you have the bigger better cock and I don’t need any other man in my bed but you! Maks is merely the back up Andreivich.” Pause. “But if it makes you happy, when your brother finally gets home, I’ll jump his bones and rock his world. I’ll be thinking of you the whole time, though! I promise.” Pause. “Hurry home! Can’t wait. Love you, Alexi.”
Maks stood at the doorway, frozen. It was like his whole world had collapsed. Had he died? He felt…nothing. He was numb. He’d been sure that Irina was wrong. No, that wasn’t true. He desperately wanted to believe Irina was wrong. But she did know him and Alexi for years. She knew them well. Clearly she knew his brother better than he did. Alexi only shared his woman to please Maks. And Eve only slept with him to please Alexi.