Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 113324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“Now.”
Filip’s lips thinned. “Nat, let’s go back to the house. We can come back for our ride when I’m done.”
What if the weather didn’t hold? I didn’t bother hiding my disappointment.
Sevastyan said, “I’m taking her.”
Why would he offer to be alone with me? Maybe he’d mastered his attraction to me, and was now in no danger of plighting. But why was he forgoing work? Had the difficulties been resolved?
Curiosity, my kryptonite, had me jonesing for answers.
The tension between the two men seethed. “You? Taking little sis out for a ride? How brotherly. But she’s not interested.” To me, Filip said, “Come, Natalie.”
I stiffened, not liking his tone at all. Strange, since I’d loved when Sevastyan had ordered me around in bed. Or in a maid’s closet.
Even after everything, I . . . missed the man. What harm could come from one little ride? I told Filip, “I’ve been waiting for this for two weeks.”
He gazed from Sevastyan to me and back. In a disbelieving tone, he said, “You want to go—with him?”
Sevastyan bit out the words, “Ona so mnoi.” She is with me.
Comprehension seemed to dawn in Filip’s expression. Then a disturbing flash of anger surfaced on his face, reddening his cheeks. He turned that look of wrath on me. “Are you? With him?”
His words were rife with undercurrents that I found difficult to accept. Because right now, it seemed like the guy who’d ignored me for weeks and the guy whose face could make angels weep were in a pissing contest.
Over me.
“I just want to go riding, Filip.”
He appeared to be grinding his molars to dust. Finally he told me, “I’ll be waiting for you back at the house.” With a black look at Sevastyan, he strode off.
Disquieted, I glanced up at Sevastyan, but his piercing gaze was trained on Filip’s back. I said, “Do you want to tell me what’s going on between you?”
“Nyet.” That word—when spoken by him and addressed to me—might as well be translated: Dead end, Natalie.
“Why are you taking time off work? Has the issue with Travkin been resolved?”
He shook his head, repeating, “Nyet.”
Dead end. He’d tell me no more—because I wasn’t a member of the inner circle.
He brushed his gloved hand down the neck of his mount. “You wanted to go riding, so I’m taking you.”
The stallion looked high-strung, and Sevastyan didn’t strike me as a natural rider. Recipe for disaster? “Have you done a lot of riding?”
“Unfortunately, work precludes it.”
“We don’t have to go.”
In answer, he moved behind me to help me into Alizay’s saddle.
“Oh. Okay.” Had he let his hands linger on my waist?
Then I watched, enthralled, as Sevastyan hoisted his muscular frame into his own saddle and brought his horse around.
My fears had been unfounded. Though he’d been plucked from the streets in his teens, he rode like he’d been raised in the saddle, with an arrogance that only came from excellence.
Again, the contradictions in this man were fascinating. As we set out, I stared at him with such absorption that I barely registered what a smooth ride Alizay was.
But how could I not stare? He was captivating, with the bright fall sun making his jet-black hair gleam. His physique when riding was a sight to behold.
A body like that was good for two things that started with f. And fighting was the other one.
Dragging my gaze from Sevastyan, I surveyed the breathtaking estate. A cool breeze finagled stray leaves from the birches surrounding the stables.
In comfortable silence, we rode, and as we gained distance from the manicured gardens and the tennis court, the guest houses and the garage, we saw more wildlife. A fox, two martens, numerous speckled squirrels.
When we crossed a babbling stream, Alizay gave a restless snort. Though I’d never ridden such a fine horse, I could tell she wasn’t satisfied with this mild walk. I patted her neck. “This one’s hungry for more.” I bit the inside of my cheek; could that have sounded more suggestive? Wow, I might as well have pointed at my crotch as I said that.
“Then let’s give her more.” Sevastyan lightly swatted Alizay on the rump, sending her speeding forward.
He quickly caught up, and we galloped over what seemed like miles, the bracing air filling my lungs, invigorating me. I was unable to contain my laughter, and even Sevastyan’s lips curled, almost a smile. Oh, yeah, if he ever did hit me with a real smile, I’d tumble off the back of this horse.
I caught myself wondering what it would be like if he were mine. In some mad moments, I could envision us together. It’d never be dull.
No, it’d be dark. And deep. I swallowed. In any case, the ball was no longer in my court. I couldn’t have made it clearer to him how I felt, and he’d made no moves.
Until now? Or was this a platonic outing? He’d told Filip that I was with him. For the duration of this ride? For longer?
Our mounts matched paces, drawing even closer as we headed toward a distant birch forest. Once we’d reached that thick grove, we slowed to a walk. I loved watching the leaves flutter all around us, caught on the breeze like little kites. “This place is amazing.”
“I used to explore here as a boy.”
“It must’ve been an incredible place for a kid.” Especially compared to what he’d known before then. Had he recuperated from that beating here? Gone from abject poverty to this wonderland of plenty?
From having no one to having a father in Kovalev?
“Paxán wanted me to feel that this was my home, so he made me read all about it.” Gauzy light streamed through branches, hitting Sevastyan’s face, his eyes. The gold was so vivid, it was like the sun had rendered them aglow from within. Spellbinding . . .
When I found my voice again, I said, “Tell me some of the things you learned.”
In his gruff way, Sevastyan began describing the construction and renovation of Berezka. But as he talked about the people and the lands, he grew more animated, his passion for this place clear.