“Ready to take off now,” the pilot’s voice filtered through the communication system.
Risha checked everyone had fastened their seat belts before saying, “I’ll be back with drinks and snacks once we reach our flying altitude.”
She sashayed toward the front of the plane and disappeared.The cabin lights dimmed.
Edwina yawned and belatedly covered her mouth with her hand.
“Are you tired?”
“Yes,” she said.
Mikhail forced himself not to touch her silky cheek as every instinct prodded him to do.“You can sleep soon.There’s a bedroom at the rear of the cabin.”
“Thank you.”It was her polite voice, but anger pulsed beneath her skin.Not that he blamed her.He’d stolen her dreams.Her grandmother had implied this marriage would be welcome, and she was an amiable girl.Young, inexperienced, and perfect for the role of wife.Mikhail realized he should’ve approached her differently because she had spirit and was no pushover.He should’ve done more research, but he’d been busy.He cursed under his breath.No excuse for getting wrong-footed.
Edwina might be younger, but she had opinions and goals.She wouldn’t accept orders gracefully, and he needed her obedience.His grandfather would suggest punishment, but that wasn’t him, wasn’t his way, and he suspected Edwina wouldn’t react well to physical chastisement.His wife required wooing and respect.He’d need to treat her like a young horse and ease her into the role.
His lips curled, amusement a flash of reality.Hell, he was treading the same arrogant path as his grandfather.The last thing he wanted was to become a carbon copy of that man.
The plane taxied onto the runway and hurtled into the air.Edwina focused on the view out the window, and he wished he could read her mind.Attraction sizzled between them in the furtive glances they exchanged.An excellent start and something to work with, and that made him a bastard.
Clarice, his mistress, accused him of selfishness and only pleasing himself, and while it was true, she tolerated his ways.She’d see the girl as a rival and would eat Edwina alive, beaming while devouring her in a social situation.And worse, his grandfather would hear about any confrontation or missteps because their friends would gossip.
Hell, it was easy to imagine the rumors about his clandestine marriage.
Challenges.Usually, he relished them, but this one could destroy him if he didn’t keep ahead of the sharks.
Perhaps he should’ve finished with Clarice.He considered and discarded this idea.He needed Clarice since the info she pulled for him was useful.She had friends and contacts, which were helpful to his business plans.The beautiful Clarice considered him hers.
Not true.
Edwina was more important to his plans.
The seat belt sign dinged, and Mikhail unfastened his and stood.“Come,” he said, holding out his hand to his new wife.“I’ll show you the bedroom, and you can change into something more comfortable.We’ll have a light meal, and you can sleep if you wish.”
Edwina brushed against him as she stepped in the direction he’d indicated.He caught a delicate floral scent and a hint of green and wildness.She’d enhanced her natural scent rather than drowning it with chemical fragrances.He liked this.He also enjoyed the delicate shiver that rippled through her body.
Mikhail’s lips twitched, but he quickly composed himself.
“Can I help with anything?”Rissa asked, appearing from the front of the plane carrying a tray and his regular whisky.
“Would you like something to drink?”he asked Edwina.
“A glass of dry white wine,” she said.“Thank you.”
His gaze swept to Rissa, and she inclined her chin in response.
Mikhail took Edwina’s arm and ignored the jolt that blazed through him.He’d encountered this earlier when he’d clasped her hand.It was unusual and something he’d never experienced before.He wasn’t sure if Edwina felt this spark and hesitated to ask.
“This is the bedroom.Ah, Rissa has found you warmer clothes.Help yourself to whatever you require.The bathroom is through that door.You are welcome to use the toiletries.I’ll be with my men.”
“Thank you.”Edwina turned away with polite dismissal, but not before she surveyed the space, taking in the thick midnight blue curtains over the porthole windows, the massive bed with cream covers, and the throw pillows in varying shades of blue.The decor had Clarice’s seal of approval.Edwina’s gaze struck the bed and flicked to him.Her cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink.
Mikhail didn’t hide his grin.She tempted him to stay, but he needed to speak with his men.He closed the bedroom door and strode into the cabin.Not only were they his security team, but they were his most trusted friends.
Ivan grinned.“Not what you were expecting,” he said in their native tongue.
“No,” Mikhail agreed, replying in the same language.“She’s not a meek miss.”
