Page 22 of The Den of Sin
There was no need to check messages and voicemails. It was a new number and Tatiana was the only one that had it. I didn’t expect to get an offer for an interview for my first application, but I sent at least twenty over the last three days. I hoped for at least one acknowledgement or offer for an interview. I had pretty extensive experience and hoped finding a new job wouldn’t be such a problem.
“Is this a new way to greet guests?” A familiar, deep voice with a heavy Russian accent had me turning on my heel to meet the pale blue gaze that I was thinking about less than ten minutes ago. And my heart instantly raced, threatening to jump out of my chest and run towards its doom.
I stared at Vasili, my mind wiped of all thoughts.Why isn’t he in Russia?His mouth held that smirk resembling a smile and his pale blue eyes watched me lazily, as if bored. I had just seen him a few weeks ago so the impact shouldn’t have been this strong. Yet, it was even stronger. It would seem my body rejected the memo informing it Vasili Nikolaev was the enemy. Okay, that might be too strong of a word, but he definitely wasn’t a friend.
I stood in front of him in a white, skimpy bikini that Tatiana gave me, soaking wet. Literally and figuratively. The way he watched me made my insides quiver with need. Oh my gosh, I craved him so desperately that my pussy clenched at the sight of him. His gaze traveled from my bare feet up my body till our eyes met. My heart raced in my chest, thundering hard against my ribcage and my breathing shallow. Why couldn’t my body hate him, find him unappealing? It would make it all so much easier.
He was just as gorgeous as he was a few weeks ago wearing a suit. Except now, he wore white dress pants and a black short-sleeve shirt, his ripped, tanned biceps and forearms on full display. And those big hands… my heart fluttered with just thoughts of those inked fingers tracing my body.
He looked good. Too damn good! And I loved it when he wore black shirts, because it made his unusual hair color even more striking. He seemed so tall compared to my small height, forcing me to crane my neck to meet his eyes. He was six foot five, his body big and strong. I swallowed hard and warmth spread through my body like wildfire.
The air stilled between us, and I swore I heard the drips of pool water hit the stoned tile.
“I’m still waiting for an answer,” he barked, his tone rude. I blinked, confused what answer he could possibly be waiting on.
“What answer?” I asked, trying to keep my voice leveled. I hated that my blood rushed through my body with excitement every time I saw him. I hated that those years that passed by without seeing him hadn’t lessened my obsession for this man. I reacted to him just as strong, if not stronger, each time I saw him. I shouldn’t want him after what he did to me.
“Are you now into greeting guests half-naked?” A muscle in his jaw ticked, and his irritation was evident on his face. “In my sister’s home.” He actually glared at me. Talk about a cold shower.
“Everyone but you.” I tried to sound nonchalant and hoped I succeeded. I gave him a fake, sweet smile.I think.
His jaw tightened as he took a step forward. I stood still, although my instinct urged me to step back. He was so much bigger and stronger than I that his intimidation tactic worked, but I refused to cower. Instead, I stood my ground and craned my neck further, titling my chin in challenge. I would not give him the satisfaction of thinking he had any power over me.
Unfortunately, he did. My body was too aware of him. He was so close, my breast almost brushed against his shirt. The old familiar tingling sizzled through my body.
In the back of my mind, the contrast between us registered. His black shirt, my white bikini; his towering frame to my small one; his dominance over my meek personality; his hard body versus my soft one. He certainly felt like a dark cloud over me. The problem was that his darkness didn’t bother me; not one bit.
My body tingled in anticipation of feeling his touch, and I fought the urge to step closer, to press myself against him, to feel his warmth against my skin. To see if it felt the way I remembered. After what he did to me, my body should despise him, not lust after him.
I focused on his face and ignored his body. Unfortunately, even his face was perfect, beautiful and intimidating all wrapped in one with perfectly chiseled cheekbones, a straight nose and strong chin. He always wore his hair cut short, that yellowish blonde hair in such contrast with his tanned skin. His eyes, though, were what had always captivated me. They were pale and clear, like the blue of the glaciers against the ice in the depths of the ocean. I still remembered how they burned with desire. It turned out I was wrong, he’d just used my body to satisfy his craving.
But I was older now, and wiser.Hopefully.Yes, I was still physically attracted to the man, but I was no longer blind to that contemptuous, sarcastic smirk on his face. I could clearly see harsh ruthlessness and darkness in his eyes.
It was amazing what five years could do to you.Apparently, it can’t erase the desire I feel for him.
Chapter Seven
Vasili
She was my temptation; she has been my enticement from the moment I locked eyes with that incredible gaze of melted chocolate and caramel.
The way her soulful brown eyes watched me right now, her skin glistening wet, dripping water to the tiled ground… she could bring me to my knees with her sweet expression or a simple smile. It took every ounce of restraint not to rip off those two little pieces of bikini and pounce on her. If she only knew how much power she held over me.
She was beautiful. Regardless of what she wore, Isabella Taylor always glowed, her inner beauty shining through, having a hold over me. Her unique scent enveloped me, making me instantly hard for her.
I wanted to fist my hands into her dark hair, in such contrast to her pale ivory, smooth skin. Skin that begged to be touched, to be marked by my hands. And her body,Jesus Christ, it was made for fucking. When I saw her a few weeks ago, she was drop dead gorgeous. But that didn’t compare to her now - makeup free, barefoot, and wet.
The idea of any other man, or woman for that matter, seeing her half-naked dug under my skin. There were guards all over Tatiana’s property, ensuring this place was protected and safe. They could be gawking at her right now. Frustration clawed at me and the words left my mouth before I thought better of it.
“Go put some fucking clothes on,” I barked. “This isn’t a whore house.”
A fleeting expression resembling hurt flashed over her face, but it was gone before I could zero on it.
“That’s too bad, and here I was going to apply for it.” The sarcasm in her soft voice didn’t escape me. My little malyshka grew a backbone over the last few years. She gave me only a small preview at the awards ceremony.
I grabbed her wrist, and the sensation burned through my fingers. “If you want that job, then start by being my whore,” I growled at her. She was pissing me off and the idea of any other man putting their hands on her made me want to murder them.
She chuckled. “Nah, I think I’ll pass. There are better fish in the sea.”
