Page 196 of Wicked Proposal
“Ladies,” Yulian echoes in plural, but his eyes don’t so much as look for Kallie.
For all his playboy reputation, I’ve never seen him look at another woman once. It used to feel odd, but in light of his recent declaration… Well, it makes all the sense in the world.
He frowns when he glances down. “Why is there a toy car skewered on your heel?”
“Towing,” I say. “It’s a hard job, day and night.”
“Hm.” He steps into the apartment, followed by Maksim. That cheeky dimple is back on his face, just in time to make fun of me. “I suppose someone’s gotta do it.”
He takes my hand, helps me out of Eli’s death trap on wheels. My heart somersault when his face comes close to mine.
Get a grip, Mia. You’re going to marry this guy. Keep your cool, goddammit.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
“I hear congratulations are in order.” Maksim winks. “Didn’t think I was gonna live to see the day.”
“You’re forty-five,” Yulian deadpans.
“Means nothing in our line of work.”
“That’s incredibly reassuring,” I mumble.
“Oh, don’t be nervous.” He pats me on the shoulder. “You’re in great hands. If anyone’s good at dodging bullets?—”
“Who’s good at dodging bullets?”
Maksim’s words die in his throat.
In the bedroom doorway, Kallie stands in all her glory, her burgundy sari wrapped around her curves like a hug. Her long braid rests on her shoulder, shiny and sleek with coconut oil, and her hoop earrings catch the light in an almost playful way, matching her coy smile. Her makeup is, of course, flawless.
Maks swallows. I’ve seen him flirt with my best friend left and right, but tonight, it’s like he’s forgotten how that song goes. His mouth is hanging slightly open, none of the earlier sass coming out of it.
He catches himself quickly, though. “Kalinda,” he greets, once again the epitome of long-dead chivalry. He picks up her hand and kisses it, careful not to break the henna lines on her knuckles. “You look as radiant as the sunset over Mumbai.”
“Flatterer,” Kallie smirks, hand outstretched for her kiss like the Viscountess Bridgerton.
I can practically smell the nerves on Maksim. One exchange of glances with Yulian tells me he can, too. He probably knows a lot more about his mixed feelings towards Kallie than he lets on.
I’ll have to pry into that later.
“Yulian!” Eli’s voice crashes into the hallway, soon followed by the little man himself. “You’re dressed like James Bond!”
I hide a laugh behind the back of my hand while Yulian fixes his bow tie, feigning ignorance. “I am?”
“Yes, you are!”
“Well, that’s good then,” he says, crouching to Eli’s height, “because I’ve got a gadget for you.”
He gasps. “A secret spy gadget?!”
“See for yourself.” Like a seasoned magician, Yulian produces a small box from his jacket pocket. “C’mon. Open it.”
Eyes wide with delight, Eli obeys. He fumbles with the box until he’s got out the contents, then lifts up a tiny, kid-sized smartwatch.
“A laser watch?!” he squeals.
