Page 8 of Cruel Bet

Another unreadable expression crosses his face before it’s replaced with amusement.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Arianna. But, like I said, I’m not letting you walk anywhere in that dress. You’d likely fall down the stairs and break your neck or something, and right now, you’re useful to me. So, if you’re not overly attached to this dress, I suggest we shorten it a little. Or you could take it off…The choice is yours,” he says with a devastatingly sexy glint in his eyes that says he’d like me to do just that.

“I hate this dress and everything it stands for, and sorry Nikolai, but you’re not getting to see me naked. Ever. So, hand me the knife,” I say, holding out my hand.

“Oh, I think you’re wrong there,kukolka.”

The way he’s so confident in his desirability is both frustrating and undeniably hot. I choose to ignore him and begin hacking at the dress until it sits just above the knee to preserve some modesty. Or at least that was the goal. I forgot about the damned slit, and shortening it means that pretty much my entire right leg is exposed. Nikolai’s eyes darken with desire and this thing between us fizzles again.

“Arianna,” he says, taking a step closer so there’s barely an inch between us.

I turn my head to meet his gaze, biting my lip slightly. He reaches out and puts a hand around my waist pulling me to him, lifting me just off my feet until he’s so close I could kiss him. I think he’s about to do just that. And god help me, I want him to. I don’t care how bad of an idea it is, right now I want him to kiss me more than anything else I’ve ever wanted. I tilt my head back, parting my lips slightly in invitation.

And then the door opens.

“Oops, sorry Boss,” Endo says, though he’s grinning with amusement. “What happened to her dress?” he adds, confused.

“What do you want, Endo?” Nikolai growls.

“It’s, erm, well, I think we should go to your office,” he says, looking pointedly at me.

Nikolai finally releases me, and I feel bereft of his presence almost immediately. He doesn’t even look at me as he strides inside behind Endo. As he leaves, he calls out.

“Dimitri, show Miss De Luca to the master guest suite.”

An elderly man appears, unlike the guards that I spotted dotted around outside, he’s not wearing all black. Instead, he’s dressed more like a butler. He looks a little surprised, about what, I’m not sure. But he nods.

“Of course, Pakhan. Please, Miss De Luca, follow me.”

With Nikolai walking away, I have little choice but to do as I’m asked. Dimitri doesn’t try to engage me in conversation as we walk, which I’m relieved about. Today has been a long day and all I want to do is take a shower and sink into bed.

As we walk, I take in the house. It’s beautifully decorated, minimalist yet classy with stunning bright and colorful pieces of artwork that I’d love to look at more closely. It’s a far cry from what I’m used to, my father was ostentatious and loved gaudy styles.

However, the thing that surprises me most about it is the fact that there are so many floor-to-ceiling windows all over the building. Father never wanted to risk sniper attacks, so the few windows we had were small, and even then, most of the time the thick curtains would be pulled shut. It meant we lived in a perpetual state of semi-darkness. Here, I can tell in the daytime it will be bright and airy. It feels like freedom.

We arrive in a bedroom that’s as tastefully decorated as the rest of the house. In it, there’s a massive king-sized bed with crisp white bedding with more pillows than could ever be necessary, a large suede sofa, and the same floor-to-ceilingwindows as the rest of the house. Outside, I can see a huge swimming pool with sun loungers and a terrace with rattan dining furniture. But, to my confusion, there are no curtains.

Either Dimitri notices my puzzlement, or he’s simply used to having to explain, as he says, “There’s a remote that controls the windows, the night mode will black them out. Don’t worry, they’re light-tight—and bulletproof,” he adds, answering my unspoken question about how safe it is here. “This button is for the TV, it comes out of the bed frame. The ensuite and walk-in-wardrobe are through that door,” he continues, gesturing to them. “Pakhan Kuzmin informed me you would require some things. You will find plenty of clothing and footwear in the wardrobe. The bathroom is fully stocked. But should you require anything else, just let me know.”

“Thank you, Dimitri,” I reply, a little overwhelmed by the influx of information.

“You’re most welcome, Miss De Luca,” he replies with a tilt of his head before leaving and shutting the door behind him.

As tempted as I am to flop onto the ridiculously comfortable-looking bed, curl up under the blankets, and forget this day ever happened, right now I need a shower. I need to wash away the last god knows how many hours. My hair is matted, my skin is flecked with dried blood and worst of all, I can still smell Nikolai Kuzmin on me. I need a cold shower to get my senses together and wash away any thoughts or feelings I have toward him.

Chapter 6

Nikolai

“You and Miss De Luca sure seemed friendly,” Endo grins at me waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

“She is not my friend, she is my captive,” I reply pointedly.

“Seems like you’d like her to be a whole lot more than that, my friend. If you ask me, I’d say you’ve got a little thing for Miss De Luca.”

“I didn’t ask you,” I growl. “Did you bring me in here to gossip like broads or do you have useful information for me?” I snap.

Endo knows when to drop it. The last thing I want to talk about right now is her. How she’s making me feel. How crazy being near her drives me. From the moment she woke up with my name on her lips I’ve wanted to make her scream it. Having to carry her again, to hold her close to me in my arms and feel how perfectly she fit in them ignited all of my caveman instincts. I wanted to beat on my chest and declare,she is mine. Then she had to spoil it all and remind me that she isn’t my bride. The thought of her in another wedding dress, this time for me, flashes through my mind. I can’t have thoughts like this, she was right to remind me. She’s here so I can assess if she’s a threat.

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