Page 168 of Bride By Coronation

"No. I love it," I reply.

"Great. The chef said fresh khobz will be ready soon."

I ask, "What's khobz?"

Kirill replies, "Moroccan bread."

"Enjoy," Salambek offers and shuts the curtains.

The room becomes darker and more seductive. The candlelight flickers, highlighting Kirill's scar across his sharp features. He slides his hand onto my thigh.

The throb in my lower body reignites. I drag my gaze to his lips. "You never brought anyone here before?"

"No," he says in a gruff tone.

Looking into his eyes, I don't think, just blurt out, "Weren't you lonely before you married me?"

His face hardens, and he hesitates.

"Sorry. I shouldn't pry." I take a sip of my Moroccotini.

"Yes. Life has been lonely," he finally answers.

My heart hurts for him. I put my drink down and refocus on him, offering, "I'm sorry you didn't have anyone loving you."

He takes a large sip of vodka.

Salambek pulls the curtain back, announcing, "Warm honey khobz, goat cheese, fig chutney, and olive tapenade." He sets a large platter on the table.

My stomach growls.

Kirill nods. "Thank you."

"Enjoy." Salambek steps back and secures the curtains.

Kirill tears a piece of bread, slathers it with goat cheese and chutney, and holds it to my mouth. "Try this."

I sink my teeth into the bread, and the creamy sweetness explodes on my tongue. I groan, chewing it slowly.

He looks pleased at my reaction.

I swallow, take a sip of my Moroccotini, and hold it in front of him. "Your turn."

He takes a sip, cringes, and swallows. "It's sweet."

"You don't like it?"

"Too sweet for me. I'll stick with plain vodka."

I tease, "You can take the boy out of Russia, but you can't take the Russian out of the boy."

He grins. "I guess not. Cheers." He holds out his glass.

I lightly clink it with mine, and we both drink.

He adds more goat cheese to the bread and tops it with the olive tapenade. "Try this."

An explosion of creamy, salty, and savory hit my tongue. I chew, swallow, and admit, "That might be better than the fig chutney."

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