His laugh was bitter. “Not the man from Moscow who wished destruction on our family. From what my father told me, which wasn’t much, Uncle Yuri is a piece of work.”
“Why the rift?”
The way he rubbed his chin kept my eyes locked on him. When he trusted someone, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. Until then, he barely offered a smile. I felt very lucky to be trusted by him. “Uncle Boris and my dad weren’t open and eager to talk about the reasons for the rift. Part of it was because they left Moscow instead of hanging around during a time when there were daily violence and bloodshed on the streets. Do my brother and cousins believe there’s more to the story? You bet. There always is with Russian families. Secrets and lies.”
“Are you warning me?” I cooed.
Using his foot, he tickled my stomach. “Absolutely. Be careful with what you’re getting yourself into.”
“And what is that? What are we doing?” I hadn’t intended on blurting it out, but here we were. Paradise wouldn’t last forever.
“It’s whatever you want it to be.”
“Ah. You’re giving me a choice.”
“Of course. Just keep one thing in mind. If you try and run, I will hunt you down.”
“Oh, words to make a woman shiver.” His heated expression kept tingles jetting through me. I leaned back, adjusting my leg, absently rubbing his foot.
His eyes were suddenly hooded. “Just a promise made.”
There were so many things I wanted to say to him, but for some reason, I was having difficulty expressing them. Which wasn’t like me in the least. I’d been more relaxed being with him in the tropical environment than I had in as long as I could remember.
I’d filled a notebook with songs I’d written, all of them inspired by the man sitting in front of me. I even had a special birthday song I’d prepared when he’d hidden himself away in the office contacting God knew who. He was more worried now than when we’d left Vegas. I’d never seen a more protective man.
“I heard what you did for Bernie.”
“You did, huh?”
“Yeah, I did. You’re something else. Bernie respects you, and trust me, he doesn’t respect many people.”
“So he told me.” His grin was such a powerful draw I could barely contain myself. “Incidentally, the offer goes to Danny as well.”
“So you’re stealing the two men who’ve protected me for years for yourself. Now, how is that fair and what am I supposed to do?”
The room suddenly pulsed with a silent craving.
There’d been so many surprises with Sasha. In less than two weeks, he’d opened up and in doing so, he allowed me to free the chains I’d placed around myself. I would forever be grateful.
That’s why I shouldn’t have been surprised at his quick movements, but my tiny yelp proved otherwise.
He jerked up, immediately dragging me forward until our faces were barely inches apart. “Yeah, I took them from youbecause you’re going to have me keeping you safe. And if you don’t like it, you can take it up with my attorney.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?”
With slow and easy actions, he took the drink from my hand, placing both on the table. As soon as he slipped his hand under my hair, squeezing my neck, I shuddered. “As every member of my family has stated, I never make threats. I only make promises.”
How many times had he captured my lips? How many times had he kissed me with so much passion I was left breathless? Countless incredible times, but this one seemed even more intimate, as if this was his final laying claim to a woman who belonged to him.
I was thrilled even though the future was unknown and there were a half dozen obstacles that should keep us apart. At that moment I doubted either one of us cared.
He swept his tongue inside, taking his time tasting me. I pressed one hand against his chest, wrapping the other over his shoulder to tangle my fingers in his hair.
He chose that moment to pull me down on top of him. I don’t know why, but I felt more like a teenager than I had in a long time. Taking his time, he explored my mouth the way I was doing with his. I could envision doing nothing but this for hours.
Yet I had a strong feeling since his cock was hard as a rock that he wouldn’t indulge me. He was already ravenous. I could also tell by the way he was devouring my mouth and the deep growls.
I wiggled, creating a wave of friction between us. He broke the kiss, chuckling in the dark way that he knew drove me crazy. “Be careful, little butterfly, or I might ravage your body.”
