“You’re welcome to explore any room except my office.That remains locked because of the sensitive business information in there.If I’m in my office, I don’t mind you stopping in to say hello or ask questions, but if I’m away, the room remains locked.”
“Understood,” she said.
“I’ll arrange a computer for your use and a more secure phone.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.”Mikhail kissed her cheek and retreated to shower and change.The instant he departed the room, it felt as if he’d left an important part behind.His tiger grunted, the harsh bark making his opinion clear.Mikhail ignored his feline, forcing his mind to plan how to approach this evening with Clarice.
Mikhail arrived at Clarice’s apartment earlier than he’d specified because he wanted to speak with her.Initially, he’d thought his marriage would change nothing.Edwina, however, was a surprise, and the thought of touching another woman filled him with distaste.Arrogant much.His mouth twisted while his tiger chuffed in agreement.He’d behaved with condescension, but one time with Edwina had shown him the error of this attitude.Edwina was their one, and now they must prove their loyalty.
That started with cutting ties with Clarice.
Mikhail greeted the doorman and strode to the bank of elevators.He still hadn’t decided on his approach when he knocked on Clarice’s door.She’d given him a key, but he seldom used it, and now that he intended to sever their relationship, he didn’t feel right about letting himself into her apartment.
The door opened at his first knock.Clarice stood in front of him, and he gaped at her appearance.Her hair sprang around her head in a mass of curls, her typical sleek locks not in evidence.She wore a silky white robe, and her legs were bare.
“You’re here,” she said.
Was that relief in her voice?He frowned at this deviation, every sense on guard.“Is something wrong?”
A choked sound emerged from her, and her eyes were tear-bright when she shook her head.Her gaze shifted to her clenched hands.
“I’ve had an exhausting day.I shouldn’t have gone shopping this afternoon.”She lifted her head, her lips curved in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.“I’m afraid I was rather lavish in spending your money.I sent the bill to you.”
“No problem.”While money was no issue to him, and he’d been generous in the past, he reminded himself to make it clear to those sending the bills that this was the last time.He would not be responsible for her future expenses.“I’m sure you’ll look beautiful in whatever you purchased.”
Her breath released in a hiss.“Let me finish dressing.I won’t be long.”
“No one will mind if we’re a few minutes late,” Mikhail murmured.“I’ll wait in the lounge.”
“Come and chat while I dress,” she said, acting more naturally.
“No,” he said, pulling out his phone.“I have business matters to take care of.”
She hesitated as if there was something else she wanted to say.
Before she objected, he left, long strides taking him into her expensively furnished—at his expense—lounge.He glanced at the emails he’d downloaded at home but put his phone away, disturbed by her behavior.Because of business security, he seldom checked his email anywhere apart from at home or his office.Given the weird happenings in the last two days, it might be best if he didn’t depart from security protocols.Ordinarily, nothing threw Clarice off course.Tonight, something had her rattled, and his gut roiled with misgiving.
Surprise filled him when Clarice hustled into the lounge.She’d restored her hair to its normal sleekness.Her silver gown seemed overly formal for dinner, but he didn’t comment.“You look lovely.”
She did a slow spin to give him the full effect.“You like?”
“A man would need to be blind not to appreciate your beauty.”He meant every word, but an image of Edwina flickered through his mind.He preferred her curvy body and quick tongue to Clarice’s extraordinary perfection.With Edwina, he sensed he could discuss anything—even a business matter—and she would understand and respond in kind.Clarice always kept topics light and never touched heavy conversation.Edwina was real, and he wanted to learn more about her to satisfy his burning curiosity.
With Clarice, he didn’t care.He didn’t dwell on her when they were apart.
And that told him everything—this break was an excellent idea.
Edwina was his future.
“Clarice, we need to talk.”
“We don’t have time for anything personal,” she said with a coy smile, brittle at the edges.“If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late, and I’m eager for you to meet my friends.”
“We’ll have all evening,” Mikhail said, not understanding her insistence.She’d never behaved this way before.“Where did you say your friends were from?”
“A town much closer to Moscow,” she said.“It’s the town where I grew up.We went to school together.”
