“Is that not correct?”
Edwina closed her eyes, heat suffusing her cheeks again.This was so embarrassing.While it was true, her virginity wasn’t because of anything her grandmother had done or said or ordered.She’d experimented, as had Suzie, but an inner instinct had stopped Edwina from going the whole way.She’d kissed and cuddled and enjoyed heavy petting, but nothing more.
“That’s correct,” she whispered, mortified.“What would’ve happened if I wasn’t a virgin?”
“I would’ve been extremely disappointed,” he said after a long pause.
Not reassuring.The strange note in his voice had her digging her fingers into her thighs.This was not the way for him to reassure her.
“W-where are we going?”
“To the airport.We’ll fly to my home city.”
“I see.”Not true.She didn’t understand this at all.“Your business is important to you?”
“Yes.”
His steeliness conveyed that he wouldn’t elaborate any further.
“What type of business is it?”
“Construction.”
Edwina risked another glance in his direction and caught his resolute expression.Was that code for the mafia or whatever they called them in Russia?She’d heard whispers, read stories.She opened her mouth to ask, then closed it again.Perhaps it was best she didn’t know if her husband was part of the mafia.Head of the mafia, given the respect the two accompanying men had shown.
“Is the city where you live—will I be able to access a music teacher?”
His lips curled, a sexy twist that had her blushing.“I’m permitting you to continue with what you consider important.I doubt hosting the odd dinner party or spending time with my family will be taxing.You will need to fill your days.”
Would he be at work?“Do you work long hours?”
“It depends on our contracts.”
That didn’t reassure her.“Tell me about your family.Whom will I meet?”
“On my paternal side, my grandfather is the head of the family and has been since he was in his early twenties.He is a human and unaware of shifters.My grandmother, his wife, died two years ago of a virus.She had never been strong.”He hesitated as if intending to add more but decided better.
“Wait, I thought you told me my grandmother is friends with your grandmother?”
“My grandmother on my mother’s side.My mother and grandparents live nearby.They run a clothing store.My father died in an accident when I was a youngster, and my mother, brother, sister, and I moved in with them.I get my shifter blood from my mother’s side.”
Oh, dear.Keeping up the pretense would be challenging if they shared a home.“Do you still live with them?”
“No, I have a home on the city outskirts.It’s close, but not too close.”
“But your family sees you regularly?”
“Yes, the reason we must present a genuine marriage.”His blue eyes gleamed as if he were imagining them touching each other.
Edwina inwardly railed at her predicament.She stole a glance at her watch to check the time in New Zealand.Early, but not too early, to blast her grandmother with stinging words.It wouldn’t aid her situation but might make her feel better.A prickling scrutiny had her focusing on Mikhail.Her new husband studied her with interest, although reading his thoughts was impossible.
“Do I scare you?”His silky voice broke into her musings.
“It will depend on what I learn and how you treat me in the coming days.”Bitterness crept into her voice.“I’m in a strange place with no support, my choices stripped from me.”
A beat of silence ensued before he spoke.“I won’t mistreat you, Edwina.Unless…”
“Unless what?”
