Page 26 of Frequency of Attraction

Vadim’s number was called then. He walked away to Thomas’ ever-comforting words, “Don’t fail us, kid.”

He didn’t. Thomas was so pleased he even offered to buy Vadim a milkshake on the way back to Victory. He rolled his eyes when Vadim told him he didn’t do dairy.

Back at the hangar, Vadim went to talk to Tate about the illegal use of his plane.

“If it’s fine with Theodore, it’s fine with me. Is that enough time to get you ready? Seems like Thomas didn’t do you any favors.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You should get another medical certificate, too, just in case.”

Vadim sighed. So many fucking steps. But the waiting would all be worth it when he climbed into Stratos and blasted through Earth’s atmosphere to the blackness beyond. “Okay.”

“I’ll have Luz set an appointment with a doctor in town who knows us.”

Vadim nodded and rose to leave. He ran into a whispering Elle and Quinn in the hallway. Elle looked terrible. As terrible as a woman that beautiful could look, anyway. Her pants hung off her hips. Her cheeks were colorless. Was she really missing his friend that badly? Love was bullshit. Love made everybody miserable.

Quinn, on the other hand, looked like lust come to life. Her tight navy slacks and cream blouse showed curves he’d memorized through look and feel. Two nights ago, he’d had a hand splayed on that ass, alternating the other between her slick pussy and heavy breasts as he worked her with his fingers from behind. One day he’d get to fuck her like that, too.

She’d been so fucking wet. The look in her eyes as she’d sought his over her shoulder had torn at his cock. He needed to hear her scream, but something dark always crept in. The problem wasn’t her body. Her issue was all in her mind. Vadim didn’t know how to keep herwithhim in those moments. But he was determined to figure it out for both their sakes.

“What’s up?” he asked them. The whispering had stopped.

Elle sighed.

“Chen?” he asked.

She winced. “Yes. He keeps texting me. And since I’m sure he’ll tell you, I haven’t responded. I don’t see the point.”

Quinn patted her arm awkwardly.

Vadim happened to agree. As much as Chen claimed to have loved Elle, he’d still walked away. Why was he still texting her? He wondered if Chen would keep that up if he could see the toll it had taken on her.

“I’ve got a meeting with Tate,” she said glumly. “I’ll see you guys later.” Elle disappeared into Tate’s office and shut the door, leaving Vadim alone with the little blonde.

Quinn frowned after her friend. “I don’t know why people do this to themselves.”

Vadim hadn’t been privy to many examples of real love, or happy endings. He knew they existed, but not in his life. No, just fucking had worked out fine for Vadim so far. For the most part. Although he did have a daughter he wasn’t allowed to know.

“I don’t, either.” He paused. “So, about tonight.”

She shifted her gaze to him and offered a conciliatory smile. “I’m heading to Tokyo tonight, actually. I’ve got to catch a plane at LAX in six hours.”

Vadim was heading to L.A. that night, as well. He had been about to tell her that. He had a sexy Porsche waiting for him at a dealership in West L.A. Without planning to, he found himself offering her a ride. Just as surprising, she accepted.

Two hours later, they were on the road in the rented Dodge he’d never have to drive again. They didn’t talk much at first. Quinn had her head buried in her laptop, typing madly.

“What are you working on?”

“Press release,” she answered, fingers still flying. “Our new Chaleur stores in Japan have some interesting digital integrations. Customers can scan the QR code on each tag to see where the leather came from, read about the ethical practices, see where the pieces were assembled and when, that kind of thing. We have some instant checkout points, too, which is new for us.”

“Sounds very Euro. American shopping is just…shopping.”

Quinn snorted. “Absolument. New York is a little bit better, but nothing compares to European or Asian shopping experiences.”

Minutes later, out of nowhere, she said, “Have you tried to find Mila?”

Vadim tried to silence the sharp exhale. That name gave him knots in his stomach. “Not specifically. I’ve tried to find Annika. But I’m not so sure they’re documented. I’ve found no trace of her in Boston or anywhere else.”

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