Page 83 of Sinful Promise

Roman quickly pulls his hand away as if I touched him with a hot poker.

I can’t have him fingering me under the table in the middle of dinner. What’s next, sweep everything off the table so he can fuck me on the tabletop? Now that I picture it, it is pretty hot. But not tonight.

“In the morning,” he says. “Actually, we’ll go ashore while it’s still dark.Severnoye Siyaniyewill set sail after we leave. I don’t want anyone to know what ship we arrived on.”

“Great idea. Do we know if the port will be busy? It’s easier to get lost in the crowd,” Alex comments.

“I’m sure there will be cruise ships this time of year. You know Monaco.” Roman rolls his eyes and shakes his head. His thick dark hair glistens under the light of the chandelier.

I didn’t believe it was possible for him to look sexier, but the tan makes his teeth look whiter and his eyes bluer, a color that reminds me of the turquoise sky off the coast of Italy on a sunny day. He leans back in his chair, watching me as the crew clears our salad plates. Why, I have no clue.

What does he intend to do with me once we are in Monaco? Will I be held in a room with no windows? Will I be a prisoner or his lover?

I sip from my water glass, giving him no emotional response. It’s better left in the bedroom. There, I can let my walls down. I’m a fool to think I mean anything to a man who dates models.

Five servers parade in with plates and set the main course in front of us. The chef describes the dish as a filet mignon with lobster smothered in hollandaise sauce with a side of asparagus.

Everyone claps, and I join in to show the chef my appreciation.

“Ah yes, Steak Oscar, one of my favorites,” Alex announces, cutting into the meat. “Medium rare.” His voice is jubilant. “Perfectly cooked.”

I’ve never eaten filet mignon. I lift my utensils and cut into the meat, finding little resistance. I’ll save the lobster for later. My first bite of the beef melts in my mouth, as soft as butter and just as rich. I lift the cloth napkin to my mouth and stifle a moan as I blot my lips.

Roman leans in close. “I see you’re a fan of the meat,” he whispers in my ear. “Save some of that moaning for tonight.”

His voice drips with anticipation. Dropping my napkin, I look at him, and his eyes flash, getting that stormy look I’ve seen before.

“The asparagus is just the way I like it, not too hard and not too soft,” I reply softly.

“What are you two carrying on about?” Alex huffs.

“Dessert,” I lie.

“Instead of dessert, let’s have them bring us more of those martinis we had before dinner,” Irina suggests.

“Hear, hear. Amazing crew and vessel you have, Roman,” Francesca says.

Roman stands and lifts his wine glass. “Thank you, Irina. And thank you to everyone here tonight. I consider you to be my closest friends.” He nods to Francesca. “We’ve only met, but I’m happy you’re with us. Your reputation precedes you.”

Francesca inclines her head cordially. “No problem.” She looks to Irina, and they nod in solidarity. They have the kind of sisterhood I have with Katsia, only Katsia isn’t able to follow me into the fray. These two women look like they were raised in it, gave it hell, and came out stronger than ever.

I hope I come out of this stronger, too. I’ve made progress in asserting myself, but I have a long way to go if I ever want to hold my own with this crowd.

30

ROMAN

After dinner, I lead everyone to the entertainment room and lower the large viewing screen mounted above the fireplace with the press of a button on a remote. I stream the latestMission Impossiblemovie using Wi-Fi and satellite.

“I can’t get over the surround sound,” Dasha comments. “It’s better than the movie theaters in Minsk.” She adds, “Not that I ever got to go there much.”

A steward brings caramel popcorn and sodas while we push buttons to make the theater chairs recline. I show the girls how to turn on the heat and massage. I can’t tell what they like more, the massaging chairs or the movie. By midnight, we all head to our cabins. I have someone I want to fuck until dawn.

By the time we make it to our master suite, my lips are on hers. I need a release after toying with my hand on her leg during the movie. She kisses me back and nips at my lower lip.

I grab her wrist and twirl her around like a dance move. As I pull her against my naked chest, her tits press against me. I grab one voluptuous boob and squeeze it.

“You drive me crazy,” I murmur in her ear.

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