Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I open the door and get out of the car before Vance can help me. Anya walks ahead and into the restaurant. I’ve learned not to be insulted when Anya does that. She’s just constantly on the go, and either I keep up or I meet her at the finish line.
The hostess greets us eagerly and leads us to the back of the restaurant, where I see him, sitting with his back to me. He’s hard to miss.
My heart starts pounding as heated thoughts from when I last saw him flood into my mind. That kiss. Grinding on his cock. Whimpering for more. His hand around my throat.
Even from behind, it’s evident in every way that it’s Alek. Anya walks straight up the few stairs, ignoring her brother, and to the man sitting across from him. She leans down and kisses him. And not in the friendly peck on the cheek. In the way someone wants to be fucking in a supply closet sometime soon.
I look away, feeling as if I’m intruding. I recognize him, however. He’s the man who was kissing her when I had to sign the papers for the gig at the auction.
When I step closer, Alek turns his head toward me. His eyes narrow, and he looks back at his sister.
“You said just us.”
Great.
“Yes, but it’s my birthday too. And I like her.” Anya takes her seat as the man next to her smiles at me.
“I’m River, pleased to meet you. Anyone who Anya likes, sure as shit is a winner in my book,” he adds. I pull out the chair next to Alek, careful not to touch him as I do, and take a seat.
“I’m Lena,” I say with a warm smile. “Happy birthday,” I say more so to Alek. He doesn’t look my way again. Just sits there, his gloved hands flat on the table, one finger tapping.
“Pleasure. Shall we eat?” River suggests.
“Sounds fabulous,” I say, trying to push through the awkwardness. “Is there a menu?”
“No, I asked the chefs to bring one of everything. The menu is small but fantastic. I’m sure you’ll find something,” River says. “Or do you have food restrictions?”
I’m quick to put my hands up. “No restrictions. That sounds delicious.”
I wring my hands under the table. I know Anya wanted me to be here, but it’s kind of awkward with Alek brooding like… well, like Alek.
I turn to him. “Is there anything you want for your birthday?”
“Want?” he asks with brows raised.
“Apart from Cinita. Sorry, I can’t get her for you,” I say with a shrug, and I have no idea why I even said it. Am I… nervous? Since when? The table falls silent, and when I look at him, I see his jaw is clenched.
Fuck.
The servers approach then, carrying plates of food and placing them on the table. The thunk of each weighted dish is the only thing to cut through the tension. One of them pours me a glass of wine, and I’m quick to thank them as I lift it to taste it. Damn, I need a whole bottle of this. The wine is sweet and crisp on my tongue. I lift my glass in the air to try to lighten the mood.
“Happy birthday. I hope this year is amazing for both of you,” I say cheerfully.
“Hear, hear,” River says, lifting his glass and clinking it with mine. Anya looks at Alek, who is still watching me, before she smiles and lifts a glass of water.
“Thank you, Lena,” she says, and I turn to give Alek my full attention.
“Mr. Aleksandr, are you not going to say thank you?” Anya reprimands.
“Why would I?” he asks, his mouth set in a hard line.
“That’s okay, there’s no need,” I say, forcing a smile. This was a mistake.
Fuck this guy and thinking he was capable of any type of human emotion.
I finish the rest of my wine and turn my attention to the food. My stomach growls, but I need to go. The tension from him and how much he hates me is off the charts. I read way too much into what happened between us in his living room. The last thing he probably wants to hear is birthday wishes from me since he clearly despises me. I push my chair back and stand. “I have to go, but thanks for inviting me.”
“Where do you have to go?” Alek asks.
I throw a thumb over my shoulder. “That way, out the door.”
His eyes are on my legs as he speaks. “No, you don’t. Sit back down.”
He can shove his demanding ways up his ass, because I’m not in the mood to try to figure out the mystery of Aleksandr Ivanov.
“Thanks again, wine was great, happy birthday. I hope you get lots of sex.” I smile at Anya, and that makes River smile. Anya’s looking between me and Alek, clearly furious with him.