Page 61 of Thorns of Lust
I had to know who she was. The universe threw her into my path. It had to mean something. It had to be a fucking sign.
Reaching for my phone, I kept my gaze on her as I typed my message to Nikita.*Need a name. Woman in the pink dress. Now.*
The soft pink satin gown hugged her curves, her long legs giving way to the slit that stretched almost to her hip. Every man in the restaurant was eyeing her. Some men on dates were being discreet but others couldn’t peel their gazes off Tatiana’s catwalk.
Jesus, the woman even walked like a queen. And she was headed straight to our table.
Did she recognize me? Had she been looking for me like I’d been looking for her?
God, someone had to punch me. I acted like a pussy whipped teenager. Or even worse, a giddy fucking girl.
A man leaned forward and the woman’s steps faltered. Her eyes left my general direction and she turned to glance at the guy. She mumbled something, then left him without a backwards glance.
“Then your mouth can find my cock.”
The table, full of men, roared with laughter. Red mist covered my vision, making her pink dress appear different shades of red. The whole restaurant noise was distorted by the rage rushing through me, pounding at my chest and eager to make the fucker pay. Right. The. Fuck. Now.
It took all my self-control not to pull out my gun and kill the fucker who dared talk to a woman -my woman- that way.
I shot to my feet, but my brother’s hand wrapped around my wrist. My head whipped around, ready to punch him when he gave me a curt shake.
Not now,his gaze relayed. It was one of the rare moments he bothered with the well-being of anyone but himself. It used to be different between us. We used to be close. Then one bullet tore us apart.
I gritted my teeth and sat back down, keeping my eyes on the woman and that table. I’d kill that fucker and teach the others a lesson for even glancing at my wife.
I ran a hand through my hair, well aware I was getting ahead of myself. But fuck it, I knew what I wanted when I saw it. And she was IT for me. I’d marry her, have babies with her, and keep her with me forever. This life and the next.
Her eyes flickered to our table again. As if she knew exactly who I was and what thoughts ran through my mind. Except… she was looking at Sasha Nikolaev. I followed her gaze, but the fucker’s freaky pale blue eyes were focused on something else.
Someoneelse.
Returning my attention to the queen, I noted her muttering something under her breath and the guy reared backwards as if shocked by whatever she said.
My phone still in my hand, I sent out another text message to Nikita.*Table 5. I want the prick with the cheap suit and ugly face. Keep him in the back room.*
The scent of roses filled my nostrils and invaded my lungs. In the best fucking way.
“Brother, you know this restaurant is more for dates than a quick lunch. Right?” The question was in Russian. Fuck, that voice. My heart sped up, heat running through my veins and to my groin. I was already painfully hard, I feared my control might snap and I’d fuck her right here. Bend her over the table and thrust into her tight pussy, while getting drunk off the scent of roses.
It was only then that her words registered. Brother?
Sasha was on his feet, already taking her hand. “You’re early,” Sasha grumbled. “You’re never early.”
His sister cocked an eyebrow. “And here I thought you’d appreciate me trying to appease you. It’ll be the last time, ever.”
“I doubt it,” Sasha retorted wryly, then his eyes flickered to my brother and me. “Gentlemen, nice seeing you and doing business with you.”
Not so fast, you unhinged motherfucker. “Introduce us,” I demanded.
I was still the Pakhan, and while I allowed the Nikolaevs autonomy, he still owed me respect and allegiance. Not that I fooled myself that they’d ever fall to their knees for me.
“My sister, Tatiana,” Sasha gritted.
Tatiana. Fuck, the name suited her. Fairy queen.
My mother’s favorite story was A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Queen of the Fairies, Titania.
Our gazes met, her cute button nose scrunched and… she glared at me. Fucking glared at me!
