Page 65 of Maxim

Jane drops down on the seat across from us and gulps down some more champagne. Then pouts a little when she realizes the second bottle is almost empty.

“We need more fizz,” she huffs before looking at me with a glint in her eye. “Was the entertainment better up here, Nat?”

My cheeks burn with embarrassment. Can she tell what we’ve been doing? Oh god. Public sex is not me at all. Jane would have no qualms whatsoever about getting down and dirty up here, but I’m not that kind of girl.

At least I wasn’t until I met Max.

“You’ve corrupted me,” I whisper when she’s distracted by her phone.

He just laughs.

“Looks like my guy is here,” she says with a look that suggests she’s not one hundred percent happy about it. “I better go meet him. Be good you two!”

Just as Jane scampers away, Amanda and Kolya appear at the top of the stairs. Neither of them looks especially happy and if I had to guess, I’d say Amanda is even more pissed off than before.

“You OK?” I ask when she drops down next to me.

“Yeah. Might head off shortly though. Got a headache.” Kolya’s expression is blank as he stands several feet away, doing his best impression of a statue again.

“Kolya will drop you home,” Max says.

“I’m good, I can order an—”

“No. You’re Natalya’s friend, so I’d prefer knowing you got home safely.”

Something softens inside me. I love how Max takes care of not just me, but also my friends.

“OK, whatever.” She sighs and then stands once again. I wish I knew what her problem was. She’s acting weird. And it’s not like her to be so rude when someone offers their help.

Max calls Kolya over. “Take her home and then you’re off the clock.”

“But boss, I don’t like leaving you here…”

Max shakes his head. “We’re leaving shortly. I’ll call Boris.”

We are? I’m kinda pissed at the way he assumes I’m done for the night. I mean, I am done, but still. It would be nice to be asked!

“I haven’t had much opportunity to dance yet!”

Max smirks at my petulant tone and presses my thighs apart. “Let me take you home, baby.” His voice low, husky, and full of deviant promise.

All thoughts of hitting the dance floor vanish.

Chapter forty-six

Max

My malyshka is quiet as I lead her into my apartment. I expected more of a fight from her when she realized we were heading back to mine rather than hers. Sasha told me this morning that she’s only been back to her apartment once since it was broken into. Even though it has a security system installed and is now as safe as it can be.

I know she’s afraid. And she has good reason to be. The mayor called me earlier ranting about how press freedom is the bane of his life. Like he expects me to do something.

Not a chance. He’s made his bed. He can lie in it.

Now he’s signed off on the permits we need, I don’t give a fuck about his problems. He has the money I promised, deposited in a bank account in the Cayman Islands, where the tax authorities can’t touch it.

If he causes me any problems now, he’ll be dead by dawn. And he fucking knows it.

“Take off your dress and shoes.”

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