Page 45 of Blood Mosaic

Embarrassment.

Curiosity.

Denial.

One expression was noticeable in its absence.

He said, “I like that you’re not intimidated by me.”

She took a long drink of wine and set her glass down with a decided thunk. “If you do anything to annoy me, I will tell Elene and I have a feeling she would take care of it.”

“You’re not wrong.” Elene wouldn’t approve of any of his words or his actions. Tatyana had judged that relationship one hundred percent correctly.

“You do that.”

“I do what?” Oleg let his eyes travel over her shoulders, wondering how she would look in candlelight. Electric light was too harsh for her skin. She deserved fire.

“You tell people they’re not wrong. But you don’t tell them they’re right or correct.”

“A habit of speech.” He shrugged. “Russian isn’t my first language. Shall I tell you what I noticed about you?”

She pursed her lips. “Why start being polite now?”

The corner of his mouth tilted up. “I noticed that you didn’t say you wouldn’talsoenjoy a seduction, just that you think it isn’t going to happen.”

“Because it won’t.” Two spots of red at her cheeks and the hint of a smile.

Now they were playing.

Excellent.

He set down his wineglass and rubbed his thumb across his lower lip, letting the corner of his tongue peek out to taste a lingering drop of red wine. “I didn’t say I wasgoingto seduce you. I said that I would enjoy doing so.”

Her mouth twisted. She was fighting a smile. “And I’m sure many women would be flattered by that.”

“Not you?”

She rolled her eyes. “Do you think I’m an innocent country girl?”

Of course she was an innocent. At least she was in his world.

“You don’t want to be flattered, but you are.” Oleg could feel her heart racing, but her direct gaze told him it wasn’t from fear. “You suspect—correctly, I will confirm—that I am particular in my pursuits. Don’t pretend you aren’t attracted to me.”

The little wolf snapped her teeth. “Who I am attracted to is none of your business.”

“It is if we’re considering a seduction.” His fingers slipped up and down the stem of his wineglass, and he saw her eyes move to them. “I am a very skilled lover. We would both enjoy it.”

“You’re shameless.” Her lips were pouted and swollen; a red flush touched the V of skin at her neck. She crossed her arms over her chest, but that only pushed her breasts forward.

Delicious.

Tatyana asked, “Does this actually work on women?”

“The direct approach? Yes.”It’s working on you.Oleg leaned forward, rested his forearms on the table, and tilted his head to the side as he took a deep breath of her scent.

Delicious.

“What was that?” Her eyes went wide. “Did you just…smellme?”

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