Page 66 of Merciless Union
I grab the bouquet, sniffing it. “They’re beautiful. Why did you get them?”
“I seem to remember you mentioning flowers and chocolates.”
I look around my seat. “I don’t see chocolates.”
“I’ll get them for you after the date. How does that sound?”
I smile at him. “Maxim, who knew you could be a big softy?”
“I’m trying.” He points a finger at me. “Just don’t tell anyone else about this. I’m serious, Arina. If anyone finds out how nice I’m treating you, they will use you against me.”
I nod, my smile dropping. “Would you care if something happened to me?”
“Of course,” he says gruffly.
I nod, smelling the flowers again. “Then it’ll be our secret. I promise.”
“Good.”
So, I’m one of your weaknesses?I want to ask, but I’m too afraid of what his answer would be.
An hour later, we finally reach the lake. We get out of the car, walk to the edge, and sit down to put on our skates. The lake is beautiful this time of year, frozen over and shimmering in the sun.
“Ready?” I ask as I stand up.
He gets up, wobbling on the skates.
I eye him. “You’ve never done this before, have you?”
“Do I look like the type of man who goes ice skating? If my father saw me now, he’d beat me up for being a pussy. No, for him, Alexei and I could only ever do manly things like fight. He would never have approved anything else.”
“Good thing he isn’t here now.” I step out on the lake, then start skating. “Come on. Join me.”
Maxim lets out a deep sigh but steps onto the lake anyway. It takes him a minute to find his footing, but then he’s ice skating with ease.
“Of course, you’d be a natural,” I grumble as he skates up to my side.
He smirks. “I’m the leader of the Bratva. I’m a natural at many things.” He grabs my hands and starts tugging me along.
My cheeks grow warm despite the cold. “You’re a surprise, Mr. Petrov.”
“How so?”
“Doing this for me.” I wave a hand around, encompassing us and the lake. “How many mafia men would do this for their wives?”
“Not many.”
My smile grows. “My father did for my mother. They always had a date night, every week.”
“Your father’s a good man.”
“I know.”
“Your mother was lucky to have him,” Maxim says as we slowly skate around the lake.
“She was.”
He slants his eyes at me. “And she was lucky to have you.”
