Page 57 of Ruthless Lullaby

"You like salmon?" he asks, arranging the slices artfully on a bed of greens.

My mouth begins to water at the sight, and I nod in response. "Who doesn’t?" I tell him, holding back the fact that I can’t even remember the last time I had salmon for dinner.

A plate is being placed in front of me, and I take a bite. The flavors explode on my tongue, rich, buttery, and utterly divine. "Oh my God," I moan, my eyes fluttering closed in bliss. "It tastes amazing."

Maron watches me, a small, satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Enjoy,lisichka."

We eat in silence for a few minutes, savoring the delicate flavors and the smooth, chilled champagne the server poured for us. I can't help but feel a sense of unreality wash over me – I feel like a 21’st-century Alice in Wonderland, stepping into a bizarre dream world where anything is possible.

"Thank you for dinner. It was delicious," I tell Maron, patting my satisfied stomach. "But you know, it's still a little fuzzy why I’m here."

"Do I really need to spell it out for you?" he retorts with an air of superiority.

Typical.

My eyebrow raises. "Oh, excuse me for having questions," I ponder aloud, pretending to mull it over. "First, you give me the boot from my job, then follow me to the dive bar where I croon for money, and now you're whisking me away on your fancy floating penthouse to Russia. Sounds like a perfectly normal sequence of events."

He pushes himself away from his seat, moving dangerously close to me. My body responds with a rush of arousal. "You can thank those photos you sent me last week."

Asshole.

"But now," he says, sinking back into his seat, "I want to hear your answer to my offer, Mindy."

I take a deep, shuddering breath. My heart begins to pound in my chest. I wasn’t prepared for this. Hell, I wasn’t even prepared to see him tonight. But Maron Korolev is not the kind of man you defer. I know I have to give him an answer. I just didn’t expect to do it so soon.

Once again, my mind drifts back to all the reasons I’m doing this: my mother, my sister, and let’s not forget the email Dr. Walker sent me earlier.

Dammit, Mindy, what’s even making you hesitate?

You have no job, no money, just a shady bar gig in NYC High.

What you do have is a sick mother, and an addict sister to take care of.

And you have guilt.

Guilt that’s been weighing down on you ever since the accident you caused.

This is your chance to make things right.

"I'll take it," my voice trembles, as I say the words. "I have already signed the contract."

"Smart girl. You made the right choice," he states. I study his face intently, trying to decipher his emotions. Is he satisfied? Or does he simply not care, knowing I had no choice but to agree? His expression remains neutral. "Where's the document?" he asks.

"It's in my car back in New York."

"Why didn't you give it to me yet?"

Really?

"Gee, let me think," I say. "Maybe because I was too busy getting abducted to remember to bring your precious document with me." I roll my eyes. "Next time, I'll make sure to pack all my important paperwork before getting kidnapped. Lesson learned."

A slow, satisfied smile spreads across Maron's face, his eyes glinting with a predatory light. "I love a fiery woman," he murmurs. "You're right. We'll take care of the paperwork as soon as we're back in New York. But first," he stands up and takes my hand. His grip is firm and possessive. "There's one room I haven't shown you yet. And I think it's time we rectify that."

Before I can react or say anything, he pulls me close and locks his lips with mine. Arousal courses through me once again. I’m not sure how long I can take this without finding release. Our tongues dance along my parted lips. Then, he gently takes my bottom lip between his teeth and stretches it out. I shut my eyes tightly and let out a soft cry. His tongue laps at my cheek once more, and his hand holds me firmly in place. He grips my face tighter as he licks up my entire cheek before sinking his teeth into my earlobe.

Holy mother of fuck.

A series of tiny electric shocks race across my spine, my body is on fire, and as for the part between my legs - I’m not even going to elaborate on that.

---