Page 59 of Vienna Betrayal

Alexander scooped up her pashmina, tossing it on the couch as he followed her to the kitchen.

Despite his brief protests, she helped him with dinner, popping the bread into the still warm oven as he added the finishing touches to the plates, opening and decanting the red wine, which he probably should have done before he went downstairs.

Ten minutes later they sat at one end of his heavy wood dining table enjoying seabass with Spargel. There was even some Schnitzel, which wasn’t an item Chef normally prepared from the list of acceptable foods a nutritionist had drafted. Schnitzel breaded and fried, unhealthy and delicious. His housekeeper must have told Chef his guest was an American.

Dessert was another traditional Viennese dish, Kaiserschmarrn, and discussions of food and wine dominated their conversation.

Alena ate sparingly, and drank only half a glass of red with dinner. When he opened a bottle of chilled sparkling wine for after dinner drinks, she gladly accepted.

He’d have to remember she wasn’t a red wine drinker for next time.

What next time?

“I managed to arrange a meeting,” Alena said after several sips. “I’m headed to Madrid tomorrow.”

Alexander stiffened. “What time?” He cleared his throat, realized that sounded accusatory. “My driver can take you to the airport.”

“Nine.”

She’d need to be there at six, and it was already just after 20:30. “If you would prefer to go back downstairs and sleep…”

Alena set down her glass and rose. She stood next to his chair, waiting.

Alexander scooted out from the table and she sat on his lap, winding one arm around his shoulders. “I want to have my third night with you. But I may not have time to say goodbye in the morning. I’d like to get at least four hours of sleep, and I suspect to do that I’m going to need to sleep up until the last possible moment.” She leaned in, lips hovering near his cheek. “Are you going to keep me awake all night…Sir?”

Alexander ran his hand up her back, found the small tab of the zipper and pulled it down.

“I intend to do far more than merely keep you awake.”

Alexander lifted her off his lap. As she stood, the dress slithered down, catching briefly on her hips. He solved that with a simple tug. She wore a black strapless bra and solid black panties. Simple, everyday lingerie, but on her it was just as alluring as any fet wear could be.

Right now, here in his home, he found her irresistible. He wanted her with a passion so strong and deep that “want” hovered on the edge of “need”.

“Strip,” he commanded. “Then kneel.”

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