I flip through the reports helpfully. "Then, there's his Meatpacking District parking garage that's already crumbling from faulty concrete. You really do have to keep up on those construction subcontractors, don't you?"
Battles in boardrooms and city offices can be just as savage as those in the streets. By the time I finish the presentation, I know that we have the deal.
"Thank you for an excellent presentation," Frank gushes. "We'll be reviewing all the proposals this weekend and we'll announce our bid selection on Monday."
I hold his gaze until he drops his eyes, shifting uncomfortably. "I look forward to hearing from you."
Kir and Demid smoothly step in behind us as I escort Polina out of the building. "It was a hell of a presentation," I tell her as I hand her visitor's badge and mine to the security guard.
"Thank you. Though I think your little comment about the absolutely shit job Grand's company has done with The RiverRoyale,"she drawls sarcastically, "was inspired. It was timed so perfectly. His electrical subsareshit, and don't get me started on their budgets! Where is all the damn money going because it's not going into the wiring. I talked to our concrete guy yesterday and he said they're going to have to tear out half the foundation at his parking garage to accommodate the new-"
"Subs…" I muse. "Do me a favor, would you? Find out who won the electrical bid on The McManus apartments."
"Anything specific you need to know?" Polina asks.
"Any other builds they've worked on in the last twelve months."
"It's done," she says. "I'll send over my findings tomorrow. Are you headed back to the sparkling towers of Morozov International?"
"You're only calling it that because you designed the remodel," I laugh. "Unfortunately, yes, I am. I have two other projects I have to address today."
"Work?" she asks, "Orwork?"
"Both." I pat her shoulder and slide into my SUV. Fucking meetings and more meetings.
And sweet little Ava resting her overworked pussy at home.
With a groan, I push the heel of my hand against my rapidly swelling cock. I've been working with an almost constant erection since Ava came careening into my life.
Chapter Twenty-Three
In which all Ava wanted was a sandwich. Just a damn sandwich!
Ava…
I have discovered that there is no graceful way to sit when you've been worked over good and proper.
Trying to hide my flinch as I climbed down from the stool last night earned me another round on Dmitri's tongue before I passed out, primarily in self-defense because I did not know I could come that much in one twelve-hour period.
Dmitri woke me this morning, dressed in a dark blue Tom Ford suit, showered, shaved and smelling of expensive cologne and sexual satiation. "I have some meetings this morning that I can't miss, or I'd still be in this bed with you." Kissing me with the perfect amount of tongue, he whispers, "Stay in bed,Malen'kaya soroka.Preferably, until I get back."
Those damn kisses of his. I was rendered speechless, barely managing a "uh, huh…" as he left the room.
Still, after a long, hot bath - averylong,veryhot bath - I find myself bored. I walk around the terrace again, finding two more pretty stones in Dmitri's outrageous ornamental stream toadd to my little collection. I straighten my cache of toiletries. I think more clearly if things are straight and in even rows. I find a couple of interesting-looking Russian classics in Dmitri's library and then realize I've been staring at the first page ofAnna Kareninafor forty-five minutes. Ella is consulting on a case in upstate New York today, so she doesn't need me at the clinic.
My phone chimes with a text from Priya.
"Oh, thank god!" I dive for it. The phone Dmitri gave me the day after the wedding is almost offensively expensive and top of the line, loaded with numerous safety features. His tech genius Kolya dropped it off, attempting to explain the features to me in terms that had me staring at a mote of dust dancing just over his shoulder.
I flush a violent red when I think about the workout we had last night.
I've got to clean those gym mats… I make a note on my phone.
Muscle memory has me reaching for my scrubs before I find a pair of comfortable jeans and a sleeveless white blouse. Picking up my bag, I tuck my phone in it and…
I forgot my well-dressed shadows. Rurik and Matvey are standing in the entryway, framed by the ebony elevator doorsand an enormous vase of lilies and roses on the circular table there. "Hey, guys. I'm meeting up with a friend for lunch."
Rurik looms over me, a hulking shadow as he considers this. "I'll have to call Mr. Morozov." His phone looks ridiculously tiny in his basketball-sized hand as he calls Dmitri for permission.
