“Absolutely not?—”
“It’s nonnegotiable if you want to keep your contracts.”
The argument circles until Keke ends the call and drops into a chair, glaring at anyone who looks her way.
I groan and rub my temples. “Is the day over yet?”
“Not yet.” Liev’s knee nudges mine and then stays there, pressed against me.
My skin buzzes, even though it’s just our legs touching in a crowded public space.
“Your leg is distracting,” I mutter, but don’t move away.
“You’re welcome.”
I lower my hand to my side to lift my middle finger between us. To my surprise, he catches it with his middle finger. He wraps it around mine and holds on.
My eyes fly up to meet his, but I can’t read his expression.
Then he winks, and murmurs under his breath. “I’ve been imagining putting my fingers on a lot of parts of you. I’m settling for this.”
Fire. I’m on fire.
“You’re going to owe me a whole new wardrobe of panties before this trip is over,” I tease to cover my reaction.
His eyes darken and his nostrils flare, and I worry I’ve gone too far in this game.
“I’ll buy you as many as you want.”
When we finally board, Keke downs a sleeping pill before the door shuts. Dani and Marco follow with headphones and blankets. The cabin settles into a low, artificial quiet.
“Thank god,” Liev mutters.
We’re seated in the back, away from the others. Close enough that our arms brush when we shift.
His phone lights up again, and he stares down at it before turning it off.
It’s been going off all day.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
He keeps his eyes forward. “Nothing.”
“That’s my line,” I tease, bumping him with my shoulder.
A muscle flutters in his cheek. “It’s my mother,” he admits. “She’s not used to making decisions on her own. With my father gone…”
Guilt forms a pit in my stomach. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. Happy actually. She’s going on a cruise.”
I blink. “A cruise?”
“Mikhail’s wife is going with her. They’re going to England, apparently.”
I glance at his phone, then back to his face. “Is that what you meant about expenses?”
Liev stills. “She has savings,” he finally says. “And there are things arranged.”
