Page 28 of Poisoned Roses

Titus takes my hand and his lips twist with amusement. “What Tia left out is the part where she was so nervous she knocked the glass of champagne she was drinking all over my lap and without thinking, attempted to remove my pants at exactly the moment the press photographer passed by. She was caught on camera in an extremely compromising position.”

Irina giggles, obviously loving this, and Nikolai laughs out loud. “I would love to see that photograph?”

“It no longer exists. I politely asked the photographer to delete it and he obliged.”

“I bet he did.” Irina adds and as the waiter arrives with the check, Nikolai snaps his fingers and says casually, “Put it on my account.”

It’s as if money isn’t even a consideration here, just who steps in first to claim the upper hand in paying and Titus smiles. “That is most generous. The next time will be on me.”

“You must come to a gathering we are having on Thursday.” Irina smiles warmly and I wonder what’s changed.

“Thank you.” Titus turns to her. “Please ask your assistant to liaise with mine and we will try to make it work.”

“Of course.”

Nikolai stands and offers his wife his hand.

“We should leave. I understand you have another engagement tonight, but if I may have a brief word while the ladies refresh themselves.”

“Of course.”

Titus takes my hand and we follow them to the restroom area and as I head inside with Irina, I note the two men talk in hushed whispers.

As we step inside the restroom, Irina sighs. “It’s always business with men.”

I’m a little uncomfortable and she must sense it because she turns to me and cocks her head to one side and says thoughtfully, “When I first met you, I believed your arrangement was fabricated.”

My heart beats faster and I try to maintain my composure.

“I see.”

“I was a little cool and I apologize for that. You see–” She turns and removes a lipstick from her clutch bag and reapplies it before saying, “Titus Romanov is a cold bastard who uses women. I guessed you were another in a long line and yet the way he couldn’t tear his eyes off you all night and when I heard how you met, my opinion changed.”

I’m certain she’s got this all wrong, but I’ll go with it, anyway.

“May I offer you a word of advice, Tatiana?”

She catches my nod reflected in the mirror and says huskily, “You have stepped into a world you are unprepared for. Whatever his reasons, Titus will have the agenda all figured out. Be on your guard, but enjoy the ride because if I know him, it will be a short one.”

I’m not sure what to say and if anything I’m irritated, but she smiles and a soft gleam lights her eyes as she whispers, “I have hope with you, Tatiana. You may do the impossible and drag some emotion from the man. If your marriage is the real deal, I applaud you and give you my blessing. If not, well, you will soon learn the indignity of that.”

She snaps her bag closed and smiles. “Until then, you are my newest friend. I will be here to help you navigate the storm and offer any advice I can. With my seal of approval, your transition from the stage to the world stage will be easier, so I urge you to accept my invitation because my desire is to help.”

“You are very kind.”

Despite the strange way she has delivered her speech, I do believe it’s a genuine one and so I nod, grateful for any help at all in these changing times.

When we head out to meet the men, my heart flips when Titus watches my approach. Desire lights his eyes and Irina whispers, “You are one lucky woman. Enjoy every minute while it lasts.”

We say our goodbyes and I leave with my hand firmly clasped in his and as we step outside to his waiting car, I prepare for the next act in our show.

CHAPTER 15

TITUS

Tia impressed me tonight. She coped well with Nikolai and Irina and proved she can hold her own among people like them. My world is full of people like them and she will soon develop a thick skin.

I had a hard time tearing my eyes away from her at dinner. She dazzles as she speaks and I don’t think she realizes that.

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