Sasha had a huge DVD collection, maybe five hundred movies and after just taking a quick glance, I noticed movies going back a dozen or more years likeDie Hardsitting next to every Disney movie ever made. They almost outnumbered his action and adventure collection.
Then there were a few stuffed animals here and there.
When I walked into the kitchen, I was immediately drawn to the pictures plastered on the refrigerator with cute little magnets. They’d obviously been done by a child, but a very talented one.
While he was preparing drinks, he noticed what I was looking at. “Nina draws constantly.”
“She’s very talented.”
“You think so? I was thinking because she’s my daughter I was biased.”
“No. I’m serious. She’s what, seven?”
“Soon to be seven and she won’t let you forget it.”
“You have a budding artist on your hands. Maybe I know what to get her for her birthday.”
“You don’t need to perform or come to the party, Lainey. You’ve got your hands full.”
I headed to the island, giving him a look I only reserved for friends. “You don’t know me very well. While tonight caught me off guard, I’m not fragile. I am very much looking forward to playing for Nina’s party. It will be great fun for a change. Don’t get me wrong, I love being on stage and my fans, but there’s something very special about the personal feeling of being in a small group. You know?”
He was watching me intently, the look in his eyes such a powerful draw. I’d felt closer to him in the few hours we’d spent together enjoying mostly frivolous conversation and a few drinks than I had with anyone in a very long time.
“I’ll be eager to hear you unplugged.” I had the sudden urge to run my fingers through his thick strands of hair.
The handsome Russian also had a way of making me laugh. When he glanced at my neck, his eyes immediately darkened. “Don’t, Sasha. Just let it go, even for tonight.”
“I’ll give you a hint. I rarely let go easily of anything that bothers me. But for you, I’ll try and make an exception.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
He took a deep breath, turning his head so he could look me directly in the eyes. Everything about the man was magnetic, the draw to him unlike anything I’d ever felt before. He had a way about him with his movements and the deep look in his eyes that cut through everything.
With the way he was looking at me, I sensed he had the same thoughts I’d had for weeks.
Pure lust.
I’d never been the kind of girl to have a one-night stand. That simply wasn’t in my makeup. I’d never allowed myself to completely let go with a man. Passion was something I’d read about in books and wrote in my song lyrics, but was nothing I’d ever experienced. I was suddenly nervous around him, hiding behind my glass of wine while he sipped a chilled glass of vodka.
But I found myself inching toward him. Maybe for one night I wanted to forget who I was. He’d treated me like a regular girl, not bothered by my stardom in the least. Maybe because he was such a public figure and had endured both accolades and scrutiny. Maybe because I’d been open about my difficulties, showing him a side of me few were allowed to see.
My vulnerability.
Whatever the reason, I felt comfortable enough around him to be me, the girl from Montana with average dreams and a desire for happiness.
He was strong and powerful.
Handsome and sexy.
Dominating in an entirely different way. I had no fear of him or of what he could do, even if I’d seen a side that told me clearly that he could cause harm without blinking an eye.
The draw I had to him was electric, the sensations carving their way through every muscle and tendon making me feel more alive than my music ever had.
I took a sip of wine, shifting even closer until we were standing only inches away from each other.
“Where is Nina tonight, safely sleeping in her princess bed?”
The out of the blue question caught him by surprise, his dark eyes melting into something more approachable. “She’s with her best friend for a sleepover. An extended birthday event. Demanded by my daughter.”
