Page 23 of Mikhail Petrov

“I— We don’t,” the clerk stutters. “We don’t have a cabin available, sir.”

“I’m sure you do. Look again.”

A part of me feels awful for the poor clerk having to be subjected to Mikhail’s wrath, but I also can’t deny that coercing some reserved room where I’ll be able to shower and relax is in my best interest. Someone had to have gotten caught up in this storm, unable to make their reservation. Maybe it’s selfish, but if anyone can make a deal with the devil himself, it’s a Petrov.

“Okay, okay. There’s a vacant suite, but if its occupants show up in the morning—” “Then you’ll tell them they’ve forfeited their room.”

The man’s mouth opens and closes twice before he decides it’s best not to argue with the very large and intimidating Mikhail Petrov.

“It’s a honeymoon suite. Includes all the amenities.”

Mikhail slides a black card across the counter. “We’ll take it.”

Honeymoon suite. Does that mean what I’m thinking? There has to be a pull-out sofa. If not, I’m sure he can cozy up in a tub.

The naive, sexually deprived girl from this morning is bouncing at the idea of such a

predicament with the man she’s been pining for over these last four years. But pissed-the-fuck- off and doubly sexually frustrated Leah from the plane wants to scream.

“Miss, would you like me to grab your bags from the car?”

Conner’s gentle question breaks my inner turmoil, and I offer him an appreciative smile and nod, but he doesn’t return the gesture. His eyes are fixed behind me, then downcast as he fidgets. Brooding mafia asshole aside, I attribute his lack of confidence to his young age. Conner is handsome and tall, and maybe one day, he’ll learn to stand a little straighter.

“Not necessary; I already brought them inside,” Mikhail says, placing a hand on the small of my back to lead me away. But I shift my body and twist toward Conner.

“What about you? Where are you staying?”

He shrugs. “Going to wait it out here in the lobby.”

“Leah.” The way Mikhail says my name will never fail to make my skin tingly, no matter how upset I am, pathetic as it is. “We still have to walk in this mess to get to our cabin. It’s best to leave before it gets any worse.”

Without acknowledging him, I nod my goodbye to Conner and head down another corridor toward the connecting courtyard where our suite is located. I’m several steps ahead of Mikhail as he has to backtrack and grab our bags before following.

“Why are you trying to provoke me?” I let out a cynical laugh—the audacity.

“That’s an interesting way to spin things.”

“You know what I mean. Benny and now that asshole back there.”

I come to an abrupt stop and whip around, but it’s a move he’s not expecting, and he nearly topples me, big hands dropping the metal handles and gripping my waist. He steadies me, but doesn’t let go. The urge to melt into his arms is so overwhelming that I have to suck in a breath and look away.

“Who’s provoking who? I’m not the one playing games here, Mikki.” Shoving him back, I continue down the hall. “You’ve made your decision clear, and you don’t dictate who I can and can’t talk to.”

“That kid couldn’t take his eyes off you. He’s lucky he’s still—”

With a firm finger to his chest, I’m in his face again. “I’m not your property. You don’t get to reject me and then get pissed when I breathe in the same vicinity of another man. Who the fuck do you think you are?”

His jaw ticks, pulsing green eyes on mine. “You’re Rodrigo’s sister, and he asked me to watch out for you.”

I scoff and put distance between us, allowing him a few more precious moments of life, because the way I want to beat him with my suitcase is downright unhealthy.

“First, I don’t need anyone to watch my back. And you mean the sister whose cum is still on your pants? Wonder what he’d think about that little detail.”

Mikhail closes his eyes and grits his teeth. “Enough, Leah.”

A grin pulls at my lips when it seems I hit a weakness. “You want to play games, pretend you can resist being with me, but you confessed it yourself.” I stalk forward. “I know how I make you feel.” My finger trails down his chest. “I know how hard your cock gets for me, Mikhail, just like it did years ago.” Pushing to my toes, my lips brush over the stubble on his chin. “The way you made me come for you...”

“Leah...” His hands squeeze my waist.

---