Page 34 of Poisoned Roses

“What happens now?” I turn onto my side and lay my hand flat against his chest, loving how his skin is soft to my touch and yet masculine in its painted beauty, the tattoos a myriad of art that I’m almost definite holds meaning to him.

The smattering of dark hair mixes with the ink, causing a shiver of delight to pass through me as his muscles dance underneath my fingers, reminding me of his power, both mentally and physically.

In clothes, Titus Romanov is a destructive force for any woman, but naked he is a god that I would happily worship at the feet of.

“We sleep.” Is his response to my question and I’m shocked how disappointed I am at that.

“But first we shower.” He grips my wrist and says firmly, “Come. We’ll clean up and then sleep. Tomorrow will be a hectic day.”

As he tugs me after him, I ask, “Why, what’s happening tomorrow?”

“We must attend several functions and an interview with Russian Life magazine.”

“Why?”

I’m surprised and he shrugs. “It was set up a while ago. They occasionally interview me regarding my business interests. Now they want my more personal ones.”

“I see.”

He glances my way with a soft smile. “It appears that Russia is already fascinated with us, my angel. We must play to the crowd and convince them that we are desperately in love.”

His words are a crashing blow to my heart because he is reminding me exactly what this is, despite what just happened. Business. Whatever this is between us is business to him, and I must never forget that.

I’m surprised when he pulls me into the shower with him and wraps his arms around me. As the steamy water jets erase the evidence from our bodies, he dips his head and kisses me softly, slowly, without hesitation and as if he owns the right. Then he pulls back and stares deeply into my eyes as the water cascades upon us and whispers, “Tonight we sleep, but tomorrow we will continue your education.”

“My education?” I blink as the water drips onto my face and he says gruffly, “If you believed that one taste – one night, would be enough, you are wrong. I want the whole of you, Tia and I won’t stop until I have owned every part of your mind, body and soul. Consider this fair warning of a takeover bid and word of warning – I always get what I want.”

“Always.” My smile won’t be contained, and he traces a light finger down my face as he whispers, “Always.”

Then he kisses me with a slow and steady touch, dragging desire from inside me, intoxicating my mind and body as he claims my soul. Right now, I would do anything he asks of me because one touch was all it took to fall completely and deliciously under his spell.

We wakein a heap of limbs, his strong legs tangled in mine with his arm pinning me to the bed and his smoky whisper is the first sound I hear. “Morning, angel.”

I’m more surprised that I’m not embarrassed. I should be. I deserve to be, but I’m not because this comes so easily. As if we’ve always woken up in each other’s arms, I say softly, “Morning, Lucifer.”

His low laugh is comforting and I’m astonished that my body has woken up to the fact a man is at hand and is already blossoming under his touch. I experience an aching desire to finish what we started last night, but his heavy sigh disappoints me as he groans. “We should get ready. We are due to meet Clarissa Smirnov for breakfast.”

“Who is she?” I’m confused as he sits on the edge of the bed and runs his fingers through his tousled hair. I note the muscles rippling on his back and his deep voice growls, “Your new best friend.”

He stands and as he turns, my eyes blink at the full force of the man before me and I can’t tear my eyes away from his strong body that causes mine to scream for his attention.

“I’ll leave you to shower and change. Dress smart but casual. Clarissa is always impeccably turned out and will judge you on your choices.”

My heart sinks as the man whose arms I fell asleep in has changed into the enigmatic business one of before and as he leaves, the light inside me dies a little as we revert to the arrangement we had before.

Clarissa Smirnov is a beautiful woman,and it’s obvious she has already been where I am now. The possessive gleam in her eye when Titus kisses her on her cheeks three times alerts me to the fact I’m staring at one of his lovers.

I don’t like how that makes me feel.

She is, as he suggested earlier, impeccably turned out and as we choose our breakfast from the menu, I’m aware that I’m already out of my depth.

Affluence surrounds me. It’s as if I’ve stumbled onto a movie set and only the wealthiest are playing the parts.

I’m no stranger to scrutiny. Many are fascinated to see the prima ballerina in the flesh and I’m accustomed to their curious gazes. Today is no exception, but the excited ripple of conversation is probably due to the fact we are now front page news.

We are a match made in heaven for the tabloids and I am proud to be by his side, but sitting here with one of his girlfriends is probably the main topic of conversation in the room.

Clarissa sets down her menu and gazes at me with a curiosity I share. She is certainly beautiful. She has long dark hair that hangs like a silk curtain to her shoulders. Her eyes are green and flash with interest and her red painted smile is firmly directed at me.

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