Page 60 of Beautiful Deception

Well, that Viktor didn’t have his troublesome little maid in his life yet. Now, all I can think about is Inessa. Her taste and eyes and cute little smile. Her innocence.

She was the last person I wanted. With Inessa comes too much responsibility and emotion that I don’t want. That’s why I pursued Natasha. She’s a widow and has money. She can take care of herself. I knew with Natasha I wouldn’t feel the need to protect her like I did with Nadia and Elena before I was betrayed.

But with Inessa, all I want to do is protect her and at the same time have my filthy fucking way with her.

“Viktor,” Natasha says sharply, bringing me back to the moment. “Sit with me.”

“You don’t get to order me around.”

Her shoulders deflate a little. “I apologize. I know you’re a powerful man. You don’t take orders well. But I’m a powerful woman. Together, we would make a powerful couple. So, please. Sit.”

After a moment, I take my place beside her. Natasha begins to rub my shoulders.

“You’re so tense.”

Because I’m thinking of another woman other than you.

“Yes,” I murmur. “I have a lot going on with work and this war with Erik.”

“He’s going to wish he never upset you. I heard of what happened with you and your two previous fiancées. You should know: you’ll never have to go through that with me. I will never choose another man over you.”

“Thank you. I know that.” And it’s true. I get the sense that Natasha is a fiercely loyal woman when she wants to be. Too bad she doesn’t like my maid.

Yet, if I marry Natasha, there is no way I can have an affair with Inessa. It would be wrong to both women. I have prided myself on being a man with honor and I will not lose that.

“What did you do today?” she asks.

“Went to the botanical gardens.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

Natasha stops rubbing my shoulders. “Why would you go there?”

“Because you didn’t want to go the other day so I thought I could go myself.”

“Right. By yourself?”

I look at her. “Why do you ask?”

“I just want to make sure you were by yourself when you went.”

I sigh deeply. She might as well know. “I took Inessa with me.”

Her eyes practically bulge out of her head. “Why? She’s your maid.”

“Because she had never gone and I thought she would appreciate it. I thought you would appreciate it too until you made it clear you didn’t.”

“Excuse me for not wanting to look at flowers. I don’t care about those things.”

“Which is valid,” I say. “But I planned a whole day for us and you shitted on it.”

“I shouldn’t have to do things I don’t want to do.”

“It’s also about being considerate. And grateful.”

Natasha huffs. “Well, it seems we’re at a standstill.”

“Seems we are.”

She’s quiet for a long moment before… “You really took your maid on a date? How do you think that makes me feel?”

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