Page 7 of You Know I Love You

“No.” I snort a laugh. “Sorry.” I cover my mouth. Why can’t I have a sexy laugh like him?

“Don’t hide things from me.” He pulls my hand down from my mouth. “Especially that mouth of yours. I rather enjoy it.” If I wasn’t already blushing, I have no doubt I am now.

“That was my first kiss.”

“I know.”

“Oh.” I glance away from him.

“What did I tell you, Princess?” Vasily's hand comes to my chin, bringing my attention back to his face. “No hiding from me. I told you my secrets.”

“Were they secrets, though?”

“I suppose not,” he admits. “I don’t know if this is a secret because I’d admit it to anyone, but I’ve never told a soul.”

“What?” I, too, eagerly want to know whatever it is.

“I could spend my life only kissing you. Yes, I knew it was your first, and I greedily took it, and you gave it right back. Willa, you’re far from boring. There is passion right there under the surface ready to come out. You just need someone you’re willing to trust to let you show it.”

“And I can trust you?”

“You can trust I’ll let you spread your wings and keep you safe while you do that.” I lean forward, wanting to kiss him againbut jerk back when I hear the sound of laughter. Vasily curses under his breath.

I watch as people enter the room—all talking and laughing. A few I recognize from the warehouse. I sit up straighter, now feeling out of place. All the girls are dolled up. When they see us, everyone stops talking. Even the men refrain from speaking.

“Maybe I should?—”

“Everyone, this is Willa.” Vasily stands. “She’s with me.” They all nod. A beautiful blonde steps forward.

“Willa, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Mila.” She holds out her perfectly manicured hand for me to take.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“I saw you at the fights. I thought I might see you again.” The woman is so beautiful it’s hard to look away from her. “And this is my husband, Anton.” He gives me a nod.

“Hi.” I smile back. No one else utters a word.

“Why doesn’t my husband get me a drink too so I can join Willa here?”

“All right,” Anton says, shaking his head. He slaps his wife’s ass as he passes her. Mila merely rolls her eyes. A few of the other girls follow Anton over to the bar.

“Mila,” Vasily says.

“I know what I’m doing, King.” Mila takes one of the chairs across from the couch. I sit back down and pick up my drink and take a sip. Vasily sits down next to me. I let out a squeak as he abruptly lifts me, and I’m immediately placed in his lap.

I turn my head to look back at him. He merely leans back, getting comfortable, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“Are you from the island, Willa?”

“Yes.” I turn my attention back to the woman. “My brother is Rich.”

“Oh wow, I never would have guessed that.” Anton sits down next to his wife, handing her a drink.

“Yeah, we don’t look much alike. But we are twins, believe it or not.”

“No kidding.” She laughs, and I fall into comfortable conversation with her. Mila is sweet, but the other women and men keep their distance, most even going outside to continue with the afterparty. I guess I’m not their cup of tea. I seem to be Vasily’s, for some unknown reason.

I'm not sure how long we sit and talk before someone alerts me to the boat's docking and people getting off. I glance out one of the windows and realize we're on the mainland, not the island.

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