Page 41 of Beautiful Deception

“He is not someone you need to concern yourself with,” he says. His hand stays clamped to my thigh. What would happen if he inched his hand closer to…

No. Don’t even go there. I shouldn’t be feeling this way at all.

“He’s my dad. I love him. I can’t give up on him.”

“You’re a good girl then.”

“Yes.”

“Fuck, Inessa,” he whispers. “I shouldn’t be doing this. Am I scaring you?”

“Yes. But also… no.”

He lets out a rough breath. “You’re not mine. It shouldn’t matter what you do in your spare time. Or who you spend your time with.”

“You and Mrs. Green are really the only ones I spend time with.” I will not tell him about Elena. Spilling too many secrets will make the truth come out and then I’ll be in danger. So will my dad and I cannot stand the idea of losing him, despite how much he disappoints me.

“So… no one has touched you like this before then?”

My exhale is shaky. “Yes.”

He brings his hand right between my legs. His entire palm cups me. My body responds on instinct and I buck my hips into his hand.

Viktor instantly lets me go. I slump onto the desk; all my energy leaves me. There’s nothing left.

“You can stand up,” he says gruffly.

When I turn around, I find him watching me with those intense eyes of his. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No. I shouldn’t have touched you like that. You’re my maid. I’m your boss.”

“You told me you’re involved with the mafia. I’m assuming that means you blur the lines a lot.”

“Not when it comes to my household. I shouldn’t have done that to you, Inessa. I am sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” My voice comes out choked. I fight back the urge to cry.

“You should go back to your room.” He walks over to his desk and sits down, no longer looking at me. I know this means I’m dismissed.

“Ok.”

Before I reach the door, Viktor says my name. “One more thing. You’re not keeping anything else from me, are you?”

Hiding my worry behind a frown, I ask, “Why do you ask?”

“Just making sure.”

“No, sir,” I lie. “I’m not keeping anything else from you.”

“You can go.”

I practically run from his office but before I can make it to my room, Mrs. Green confronts me in the hallway.

“What happened? What did Mr. Smirnov want to talk to you about?”

“He just wanted to talk about the cake incident. Nothing else. Now, can you mind your own business?” My tone comes out much sharper than I intend for it to. Mrs. Green stands back with a huff.

“I was just asking.”

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