I waved my hand, putting my items in my bag. “Call me Elizabeth.” He was all right unless he felt like you were threatening his friends. I was not planning to threaten any of them. Daniil had scared me off that, so much so, that I still had not decided if I was going to keep investigating the Grigori/Ember possible affair. I was very much on the fence with that subject, and trying to find a way to drag the Donovan’s name through the mud without it, but I was not sure it could be done. “And good night. Happy winnings.”
Zane chuckled. “Oh, I’ll win.” He thumped Lev’s shoulder, asking him, “Does a three-of-a-kind beat a straight?”
Lev snorted. “Yes.” He removed Zane’s hand and left.
While I gawked, Zane grinned. “See.” He was still smirking like the winning fool he was going to be as he walked away.
I glanced around the golf course, realizing Daniil and I were the only ones still seated from their group. There were still other groups sitting around talking and enjoying the cooling evening, but that was not enough for me. I quickly shoved the rest of the items in the bag and jumped to my feet. Daniil easily followed, staying next to me, not moving away.
“What are you doing?” I asked, slightly mystified.
He ran his fingers through his hair, and his lips twitched. “I’m standing, Ms. Forter.” His eyes roamed down my body, and his nose crinkled.
I was confused as hell and more than a little irritated. Not a great combination. “I know I’m no great beauty, but what is it about me that repulses you so badly?”
His eyebrows snapped together, but slowly, and from the sound of it, honestly, he stated, “No. You’re wrong. You are beautiful, not the exotic type, more country beautiful. But you’re just so small.” He waved his hands in a womanly shape, but extra thin, like the hourglass was pint-size. “I’ve never been attracted to someone who’s as little as you. Most of my lovers have,” a gesture of an extra-large hourglass, and then he held his hand way up to his lips indicating a tall woman, “more to them. I can’t figure out why I find your kewpie-doll face, wild hair, and breakable body stimulating.”
I blinked. “Um…thanks?” Crazy.
I turned, and began walking away, but I heard him curse softly. My eyebrows came together in confusion as I heard the grass crunch under his feet, and then he was at my side, slashing a hand through the air, stating as we walked, “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right. I’m usually much smoother than this.”
“That’s great to know,” I mumbled. I blinked. I stopped in my tracks; Daniil also halted, as I understood his crazy language. My eyes went wide, and I turned my attention to him. “Are you hitting on me?”
He placed one hand on his hip while running his other through his hair. He puffed out a breath, and looked me up and down, and again, his nose crinkled. “Yes. Yes, I think I am.”
“You think you are?” I muttered, bewildered, but held up a quick hand when he opened his mouth. “Never mind, but I do want to clarify something.” I stared, wondering if he understood just how crazy this was and trying to find a way to figure that out. “Just the other morning you threatened to kill me. In many ways. You frightened me worse than I had ever been. You did this after we’d just had sex the night before. Now, you want to have sex again. With me. The one you shouted at, and threatened to strangle, slice, and smother.”
His mouth slowly opened. No sound escaped. He blinked.
Ding, ding. About damn time, he figured out how insane this was.
I shook my head and started marching away. He was one truly twisted individual. It was obvious that he had not even realized that his actions were wrong the other morning. That had just been him, doing his thing. One of the truly sad parts was that he had acted as though he was doing me a favor as he talked so pathetically about my body, like I would jump the man as soon as he said the words.
Crazy old asshole.
I heard the crunching of grass again, and I sped up. This was getting fucking ridiculous. I had gone from being scared shitless of him – I still kind of was – to trying to outrun an interested suitor. I had no idea how the fuck this had happened.
“I’m not interested, Daniil,” I said over my shoulder, seeing him gaining. I scowled at his muscular legs. They were fucking long. I peered back where I was walking and quickened my pace even more. “I’m sure you can find someone else to fill your bed.”
“Yes, I can,” he stated factually, his voice too close.
Confident, crazy old asshole.
He gripped one of my elbows from behind, jerking me around to face him. I winced as he crushed my arm. He quickly released me, scowling when I instantly started rubbing it. “You’re so fucking bitty.”
“You. Already. Said. That!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air, grateful that we had made our way to a clearing where no one was. “I’m small. I’m short. My tits are smallish average.” I pointed in the air, clarifying. “Though, I have a nice ass.” I pointed at my head. “I have crazy hair. My face reminds you of a doll.” I waved my hands up and down my frame. “And yes, my body is definitely breakable compared to yours. We have covered all of this. Now leave me alone.”
I turned to leave, and he jerked me back in place, much more gently this time. “We aren’t through.” He kept a grip on my arm even though I repeatedly tried pulling it away. “I need to say something so quit running from me.”
I gritted my teeth and breathed deeply. “Speak.” Then leave me the hell alone.
He dropped my arm and glared. “I’m not a damn dog.”
I scowled right back, crossing my arms. Waiting.
He began pacing, muttering, “You’re very aggravating.” His eyes darted to me. “I’m only going to say this once, so listen closely.” I waited, drumming my fingers against my arm in irritation. “You’re a reporter, one who has it out for my son’s company and the person, people, he loves. I couldn’t tell you a damn thing about the circumstances that are happening here. And I still won’t. I’m not sorry for what I said that morning. The timing could have been better though.”
I eyed him as he stopped pacing. It just bubbled out. “You’re crazy.”
He looked exasperated. “I told you to listen closely.” His head tilted. “And yes, I am a little crazy. Most women find it an attractive attribute.”
Only the cracked would say that.
He stared.
I started to turn; until I realized he had said something before that last bit. He had said ‘listen closely’. I halted with one foot turned away, goody-bag dangling from my crossed arms.
What had he said?
I stared at the grass that was evergreen in color, only lit by the moon.
My excellent memory began replaying his words.
I was a reporter.
I had it out in ‘general’ for Grigori’s company…and the person he loves.
Circumstances going on here.
He would not take his words back.
Read between the lines. Listen closely.
He had threatened me because his son loved Ember, and he would do anything to protect his son, and Ember evidently, which included scaring, not actually harming me because I was the big bad reporter that had it out for them.
My God.
I stood stumped for a full minute until a thought occurred, and I turned back to face him where he stood silently, watching me. “What would you do if I ran an article stating that Grigori and Ember were having a love affair behind Brent’s and Cole’s backs?”
He rubbed his chest, staring at the sky, the moon kissing his face, making him look like death’s angel. Slowly, he stated, “I would demand a retraction because it’s not true.” Right now. He did not say the words, but I heard them nonetheless.
“What if it became true?” I asked slowly. “What would you do then?”
“I would buy the first paper and frame it,” he murmured softly. “As long as the timing was right.”
I stared hard. “What if I had talked about what I heard that mo
rning?”
He shook his head. “I take care of my lovers. I made sure you didn’t talk.”
I understood what he was saying, but still… “You’re crazy.”
He shrugged. “It works for me.”
I let my arms dangle by my sides. “When were you first interested in me?” I was still confused as hell.
“The first day when you bumped into me you smelled like roses. I wasn’t sure who you were at first, but you looked familiar. From your tiny picture in the paper, I later realized. I asked Stash. When I pointed you out to him, that’s when we saw you slip under the bleachers. I was furious then. And if I’m going to be honest, it helped because I was a little confused by my attraction to you.”
I blinked, and mumbled stupidly, “You smelled like roses, too. It’s the resorts soap and shampoo.” He did not say anything, and I cleared by throat, the dumb cobweb disappearing. “Why did you come into the bar that night?”
“To question you; I wanted to know what you were investigating.” He cocked his head forward, his hair hanging around his face as he eyed me. “Why do you want to run a story about Ember cheating on Brent and Cole?”
I smiled a little. “You have your secrets. I have mine.” I paused, and decided to be a bit honest. “I don’t have it out for Grigori and Ember. They’re just a means to an end.”
He stiffened, growling, “They’re no one’s means to an end. I won’t allow them to be.”
I was quiet for a few moments, and then shook my head, saying softly, “And we were doing so well, too.” I pointed at myself. “I’m a reporter and I’m being honest. Everyone is a means to an end to some story.” I sighed and kept up with the truth. “Daniil, from what I can remember, the sex was great between us, but this,” I pointed at him, then me, “isn’t going to happen again. You’re not exactly the type to sit back and let me do my job if it’s not what you want to run in the papers. I don’t let anyone get in the way of the truth. If I had actual proof that Ember had poisoned Zoya, I wouldn’t have done the article myself because you scared the shit out of me. But I would have sent it on to someone else to run, if he or she wished. No one should have the right to stop the truth from being printed.”
I paused. “Well, unless it’s a matter of national security. That, I understand. But you…you would try to stop me on everyday stories, and probably, in a scary as hell way.” He had taken a few steps forward, closing the distance between us. I stood still. I did not think he was going to hurt me for what I had just said, but his size was an intimidating factor. “There’s also the problem that you don’t want your kids knowing you’re having sex. And truthfully, no offense, I’m not sure how comfortable I am having sex with someone who’s a helluva lot closer to my father’s age than my own.” Staring up at him this close in the dark, he looked even more like death’s angel.
He bent his head, and whispered, “All of what you said is true. I would try to stop you from writing an article that’s not conducive to the plan. I’m not positive I would frighten you again. I would probably just bribe someone, or scare that person from printing it. And no, I definitely don’t want my kids knowing I’m having sex because they seem skittish by the fact that I have a sex drive after their mother’s passing. And truthfully, no offense, I’m not sure either if I’m entirely comfortable having sex with someone your age. I’ve always kept my lovers above my children’s ages.” His head tilted farther, and his hair brushed the side of my face.
He watched as my breath caught. “We were both drunk before. It couldn’t possibly have been as good as we both remember. Perhaps we should let a kiss decide. If it’s as good as we remember, maybe we can work around those other details.” His voice was a low purr, his accent deepening. “If not, there’s no harm in trying.”
Embarrassingly, I was panting. My heart pounded because I did remember how good it had been to kiss him. I licked my lips, staring at his. “I guess one kiss wouldn’t hurt.”
“Exactly,” he murmured and slowly lowered his head even further.
I dropped my goody-bag and placed my hands on his shoulders, running my palms around his neck to hold him just as his hands landed softly on my hips, pulling me against his warm body.
That’s when our lips touched.
And…I learned…being drunk had dulled the senses.
His lips were the fireworks and mine were the fuse. It was as if an explosion rocked us as we pressed our lips harder against one another’s. I gasped and altered my hands, gripping his hair as hard as his arms were that slid around me, crushing me against his body. We groaned at the same time, and his full, soft lips opened and his warm tongue instantly met mine. The explosions rocked us again for an unknown amount of time, and we went a little crazy as our tongues tangled and caressed one another’s with a carnal hunger I had never felt before.
I could not breathe. I really did not care. But I started to get dizzy and yanked my head back…and it slammed against something hard. “Oomph!” Blinking blurrily, I stared at Daniil’s face.
His eyes snapped open wide, glancing left and right. “Shit.”
I wiggled, realizing I had something against my back. One of my legs was lifted over one of Daniil’s hips as he held my thigh; his other hand fisted in my inhuman curls. I gently extracted my fingernails from his rock-hard biceps and peered at our surroundings with him. We had somehow moved, at least, ten feet from where my goody-bag lay in the grass. My backside was currently pressed against a palm tree.
Holy shit.
Slowly, I turned my head to face Daniil.
He was staring at me. Like a shark. A death angel with shark eyes.
He wanted to take me down under in the most sinful, carnal way.
Somewhere, Dad was screaming a prayer, because I was drowning. More than willing.
“Ignore them,” Daniil muttered, breathless, his tongue sliding back across mine.
I went dizzy with it, but I jerked my head back. “I can’t. They’re just…there.” His bodyguards were a wall in front of the elevator doors as we went up to his room. Their backs were to us, but they were in the damn elevator as we made out behind them.
He growled, pushing my back against the wall, taking my mouth again.
And holy hell, it was like the ambrosia of fireworks.
I groaned and yanked on his hair, pulling him closer.
He rumbled again into my mouth, lifting me off the ground.
Wrapping my legs around his waist, I ground against his erection.
He moaned deep and pressed against me, pushing his cock harder against my core.
I whimpered. I wanted him in me now. Like…right now.
“Sir?” Ugly Duckling said loudly.
We both jerked at the sound.
Yeah, it was easy to ignore them with his lips on mine, and his cock against my clit.
I tilted my head, looking behind Daniil, even as he turned to glance over his shoulder.
We both stared for a second.
I squeaked.
Daniil cursed.
His three guards, Least Ugly back on duty with his boss man, were standing outside the elevator with Ugly Duckling holding the door open. The elevator was making a vulgar buzzing sound, which meant he had been holding it open for a while. The worst part was that Zane and Stash were standing right next to them ogling us. Over the buzzing sound, I could hear others of Lion Security out in the hallway, talking about whose room was biggest to play cards in.
My jaw was gaping, but I stared at Zane’s hand and pointed. “Is that a Coors Light?”
It was a brown, long neck bottle with a silver label.
Zane made a gurgling sound in his throat.
Grigori’s voice sounded not too far away. “What’s wrong with the elevator?” He paused, and then asked quickly, “Is Papa in there?”
I sucked in a harsh breath.
Daniil jerked us across the elevator, pressing me against another wall.
Swatting Ugly Duckling’s hand from the door, he then hi
t the button for my floor.
I hissed, “My award bag!”
Least Ugly had it in his hand. Ugly Duckling had Daniil’s bag.
It would be obvious if they had two. Plus, I wanted it, dammit.
“Shit!” Daniil arched back, with me clinging to him, and snatched it.
Hopefully, no one noticed out there.
Zane was outright laughing now. Stash was still standing dumbstruck, his jaw hanging.
Daniil pressed me back against the wall and started pounding on the button to close the door. Daniil zeroed in on Zane, hissing, “Cut him off!” The doors weren’t closing very fast after being held open so long.
Zane was not going to be of any help though, because he was almost doubled over, but Stash blinked and moved to the right. Immediately, I heard Stash start speaking to Grigori, which meant he had almost been on us.
Daniil whispered to his bodyguards, “Her room.” The doors shut.
Both of us stared at the closed doors. Breathless.
I started giggling.
Even though that had been embarrassing as hell, it was also funnier than shit.
Daniil turned his head to face me. “That was not funny.” His lips twitched.
I gurgled. “Stash looked like he was going to faint.”
Slowly, he lowered me to the ground. He started chuckling. “I haven’t had to sneak around with a woman since I was a teenager. It appears I’m a little rusty.”
I laughed harder, holding up a hand. “I don’t need the reminder of how long ago that was for you.”
He growled, grabbing the back of my neck. “Enough with the old man jokes. I’m minutes away from showing you just how old I’m not.”
I wiped my eyes. “Then don’t use words like ‘rusty’.” I snorted.
Instantly, I was being twirled. He slammed my back against his chest...and he bit down over the hickie on my neck. I stilled, and my breath caught as he held me immobile. Shivering from the intimate dominance, I slowly whispered, “Fine. You haven’t called me little girl or teased me about my age since that first day. I won’t do it to you either.”
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