Page 20 of Samuel

“You’re early,” Avi mutters into the phone.

“I have a wife to win over. I can’t do that if I’m on the phone with you. Is there anything I need to know about?”

“Wife? Man, you’re already married to the Navarro princess. What are you doing?”

I think about Isabel and her commanding personality, and no-time-for-shit attitude and grin. She might be a princess to the Navarro family, but the woman is more of a ball buster than her brother. Christ, she might even give Ivan a run for his money when I bring her in. I’m making her go with me tomorrow to give him that atrocity of a Christmas—shit, I can’t call that thing a tree. I have no idea what it is. I just know Ivan will laugh his ass off. I also think it’s a good thing I’m already married to Isabel. If I wasn’t, Ivan would try to steal her away. He usually likes his women a little softer, but I didn’t miss the way he looked at mywoman. I was jealous—even if I didn’t want to admit it at the time.

“I’m talking about her.”

“I thought you said you were going to steer far away from the Navarros while you were over there. You said and I quote,I don’t want that fucking woman clinging and begging for my dick until I’m forced to.”

I lose myself in the thought of Isabel begging for my dick. I’m instantly hard picturing her on her knees as I palm my erection. I can literally see her licking her lips, salvia running down my shaft because I’ve just slid from between her lips. The thought of her begging me to give it back,to fuck her mouth …

Christ. I’m going to have to take a cold shower and rub one out in there. If I don’t, I’ll never keep my hands to myself tonight.

“I believe I said I didn’t want her trying to lay claim to me until I was forced to put up with it.”

“Semantics,” he discounts, making me roll my eyes.

“Natalia Isabel Navarro would never beg a man for anything,” I tell him proudly. “Hell, she might be the only person to makemebeg.”

“Fuck, you went to America and lost your mind, Samuel.”

I grin. “Probably. Now, back to work. I want to hurry so I can be the big spoon for my woman.”

“Big spoon? Do not let the fucking Volkov family ever hear that coming from your mouth.”

“Yeah, well, the Volkov family can suck my dick. Are they still causing issues?”

“Minor ones. Denis likes to run his mouth. I’m handling it. His brother Arkadi is keeping him under a tight leash.”

“Good. You will keep me updated. I’m thinking of mostly staying here in Phoenix. That will leave you in charge. If youare against that, let me know now Avi. I can always make other arrangements.”

“I’m fine. We’ve spoken about this before.”

“I know. I don’t think my mind was made-up until I met Izzy, though. She’s settled here. I want her happy. I think I’d even leave the family if it meant making sure she stayed that way.”

“I’m going to need to meet this woman in person. I’m not quite sure what to think about the change in you, Samuel. I’ve known you since we were both small children. I cannot recall you ever being willing to change for anyone—not even Angelina.”

I take a second to think about what Avi just said. He’s right. I wasn’t willing to change for her. It’s one reason I went so long without her in my life. If I think back, I didn’t even regret walking away from her. In comparison, the thought of leaving Isabel is unimaginable to me. One day with her and I don’t want to spend another night without her.

“It’s the first time I’ve felt like this,” I admit. “Now catch me up on what I need so I can get back to her.” Avi laughs, but switches to business mode. I somehow push thoughts of Isabel away so that I can function, but damn it …I don’t want to.

15

natalia

They always say not to eavesdrop because you will probably hear something bad about yourself. It’s something like that anyway. I didn’t mean to listen in on Samuel’s phone conversation. I decided to tell him I’d changed my mind. I had the best night with him. It shocked me how much. I didn’t really want the night to end. When he asked if I’d sleep with him, I laughed it off. He kept pushing it though, even promising to wear pajamas. I knew he didn’t have any. He’s not the type. After I called him on it, however, we compromised.

Still, once I got back to my room, I panicked. I don’t know Samuel. I’m crazy attracted to him. He’s my freaking husband. All that said, we’ve hadonereal date. It was a great date—don’t get me wrong, but I’m not the kind of girl to just fall into bed with a man. I had trudged back to Samuel’s office. I knew I had time, because his conference wasn’t supposed to be till midnight. When I heard him talking, I stopped outside the door. I had every intention of going back to my room and waiting for him. Until I heard him say something that made it hard to breathe.

“I know. I don’t think my mind was made up until I met Izzy, though. She’s settled here. I want her happy. I think I’d even leave the family if it meant making sure she stayed that way.”

I didn’t stay to hear anything else. I had to get away. I had to breathe and sort out what I was feeling. Somehow, I found myself in Samuel’s bed, wearing pajamas, hearing his words repeating over and over in my head. Samuel had been telling his partner that he was planning on staying in Arizona and leave him in charge in Russia. I ignored most of that because he had already mentioned that to me. My attention wasn’t drawn to the conversation until Samuel said he wanted to make me happy and would leave his family to keep me that way.

He wants me happy. No one has ever cared about that except for Daniel. Samuel had no way of knowing I was there. He didn’t say that to mislead me. He really meant it. I’m uncertain what to make of that. I know I’ve been drawn to him since the moment I first saw him. I would have been attracted to him even if I didn’t know he was the man I married.

Now I’m here. I’m in Samuel’s bed, after having the best date of my life with a man I’m attracted to. I haven’t had sex in almost two years. I want him, but I’m not ready to be intimate. Even knowing all that and although being in bed with him is dangerous, I’m here. I can’t help it. Hearing Samuel say he wanted me to be happy, though, is affecting me.

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