“She won’t care,” Edwina said.“She behaves like a ruling queen and always has.I doubt she’ll ever change.”
“What do you want to do about her?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”As they entered Mikhail’s bedroom, she said, “I don’t wish to discuss her any longer.What do you intend to do tomorrow?”
“I’ll meet with Smirnoff and learn what he wants.”
“Take me with you.”It was an impulse, but the perfect way to lighten a possibly tense situation.“Smirnoff won’t be expecting that.He’ll see a young and inexperienced woman if he is anything like you.He’ll underestimate me.Does he know you’re a shifter?”
“Most people I have dealings with aren’t aware,” Mikhail said.
“I’m a leopard shifter.I’m strong and an asset to you.”
“Someone shot at you this evening.”He tugged on the hand he still held and turned her to face him.“I could’ve lost you before our marriage has even had a chance.”
Edwina shrugged, but her pulse raced, as did her mind.Hope filled her at his words, but she stuffed it down to concentrate on the Smirnoff meeting.“I’m tougher than I look.”
“Did you get clothes?”
“A few things.”
“If you come with me, you must dress smartly and stay in the background.You would need to remain silent.”His lips twisted while his blue eyes sparkled with humor.“Is that possible?”
Edwina rolled her eyes.“With the right incentive.”
Mikhail laughed, the smile creating a dimple on his right cheek.His eyes glowed a deep lake blue, and her breath stalled as their gazes connected.Held.Her fingers tingled, and she reached for him.He took the hint and wrapped his arms around her.She pressed her cheek against his chest and breathed in his scent, at peace with everything in her world.She didn’t understand how or why, but Mikhail felt like home.The mark, perhaps.All she knew was she no longer had the urge to batter him over the head for changing the course of her life.
Thoughts of escape and revenge had lessened, at least regarding Mikhail.Her grandmother, not so much.
Mikhail pulled away.“It’s getting late.We should go to bed.”
Tension ratcheted up in her at the idea of intimacy.Yes, they’d made love—had sex once, but… Gods, she’d marked him, which made this relationship messy.The fleeting idea of faking a yawn came to mind, but she discarded the thought.Stupid.Silly.Childish.If she wanted him to treat her like an adult—a partner—she needed to act maturely.
“If we get into that bed together, I won’t want to sleep.”Her words emerged, laden with tension and a hint of longing.Oh, yeah.She badly wanted to repeat the experience.This time, she’d learn his body.She’d had time to consider, time to decide exactly how and where she wanted to explore.The answer—everywhere.
His head cocked, and she sensed his surprise before his mind turned the corner she’d nudged him around.Sensual intent stamped on his expression, his posture straightening, focus fixed on her.Oh, she loved an intelligent man.
“What did you have in mind?”
Okay, he wanted her to express her desires.Fair if embarrassing.Given their initial meeting and the blackmail, honesty between them was a necessity.
“I want to explore your body, leading to sex.”Heat crept into her cheeks, but she held his gaze despite her discomfort.This feline was her mate, and while the future appeared murky, they had now.“Live in the moment instead of worrying about how we arrived at this point and what might happen tomorrow.”
“Edwina,” he whispered, his eyes shifting to a deeper, more complex blue-gold.He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her to his chest.She sank into his warm strength, and it was akin to coming home after a bad day.Perfect.After a long moment of savoring his wild scent and the comfort of his hard chest, she lifted her head.An instant later, he kissed her.
The kiss started gently before gathering momentum and sweeping Edwina into a maelstrom of pleasure.Her hands crept up to grip his shoulders, holding him to her.Their tongues danced together then he pulled back to study her with those sexy feline eyes of his.
Mikhail’s slow smile had a different heat writhing through her.“Let’s get these clothes off you.”He unfastened the lilac robe to stare at the pale blue flannel pajamas.
“Sexy,” he said, his lips twitching.
“Warm,” she retorted.“It’s cooler here than Scotland.”
He laughed, and it was deep and joyful.A natural sound a man might make if he was relaxed.It warmed her heart, and she hugged the emotion tight.She’d make it her mission to have him repeat that tone often.
“Can I remove this warm attire?”
“I would like that.”Shyness struck her then, which was silly.She raised her chin a fraction and forced herself to project confidence.The longer she held the smile, the more naturally the curve fit her mouth.
