Page 41 of Stripped By the Sinner

“I know, I just have to get used to it…” Her words trail off as if she has something she wants me to offer her or ask of her.

I don’t.

“You will,” I murmur, shifting closer to her and touching my mouth to hers. “Stay here and be a good girl, I’ll be back later,” I say against her lips.

“Why does that sound so sexy?” she breathes.

I swallow her exhaled words, then slide my tongue along her bottom lip before I slip it inside and taste her in one quick swipe. Lifting my head, I look into her eyes. Sucking in a breath, I let it out slowly.

“Because you’re sexy,” I say. “And you’re going to give me what I want when I get home. Spread for me, the way I want.”

Her hand presses against my chest and ever so sweetly she slides it upward, wrapping her fingers around the back of my neck. She squeezes gently, her eyes focused on mine. She rises to her toes, her lips touching mine.

“I can’t wait,” she exhales. Taking a step backward, her hand falls from my neck, her lips leave mine, and she nods her head.

“Let me get this meeting over with and I’ll be back as soon as I can. We’ll have an early dinner,” I say.

Leaving her in my living room, wearing my shirt, her hair all messy from my fingers, I want nothing more than to take her back to bed. I don’t though, I have to know where the fuck her parents are and why they ran off.

Then, I have a meeting later this afternoon with Rostam about his girls. I’m already on edge with the fuck, considering he almost got my woman killed. Then to top off my list, I need to get this marriage done and handled with Isabel. I need it to be permanent and legally binding for her protection.

Fuck, my list is a goddamn mile long. I better get my ass in gear or I’m not going to make it. Slipping out of the door, I turn to lock it and jump slightly at seeing the man standing to the side. He looks Bratva but doesn’t speak. He dips his chin and I thank him for watching Isabel for me.

Then I turn and jog toward my car. Isabel is safe and now I can focus on other things. A goddamn list of other things. I was not ready for life to get this busy this fast and I can’t deny that I actually like it.

The restaurant comes into view, and I park to the side in my favorite spot before I unfold and jog toward the entrance. There is a hostess behind the counter. I recognize her, I’ve seen her a dozen times, but it hits me that she’s really pretty.

“Hello Mr. Zaitsev,” she says, her cheeks turning pink.

Smiling, I give her a wink and tell her hello. Then I clear my throat before I go in search of Panas who already texted me that he was here and had a table.

“You make good money here?” I ask.

She looks around, then gives me a shrug. “As a hostess, not really,” she says.

Slipping my hand into my pocket, I take out my card and slide it across the hostess stand. “You ever think of doing something a bit more…” I look around, leaning in a little more. “Scandalous, sexy, exciting, you give me a call.”

Without waiting for her response, I turn and walk toward the back of the restaurant where I know that Panas, and likely Osip, are both waiting for me. As soon as they come into view, I know that I’m correct.

They aren’t hard to spot, both Panas and Osip are sitting in the booth in the corner and jerk their chins in my direction when they see me make my way toward them. There is a chair across from them, so I decide that’s where I’ll sit, that way I can leave without issue.

Sinking down in the chair across from them, I order a water and a vodka from the waiter. When Panas doesn’t order a drink, but Osip does then they both turn to face me. Their lips curve up into a grin and they nod their heads once.

“Panas. I believe you know my future wife, but more importantly, her family.” Then without waiting for an answer, I tell Panas as much as I can. He shifts in his seat, but I lean forward, not allowing him to get out of this shit.

“Tell me about the mother and father,” I demand. Panas winces at my question.

He clears his throat, shifting his gaze from the side again, then he decides to make a decision. A big one. I need to know everything. Every fucking thing, even if it’s really goddamn bad, which it sounds like it’s going to be a doozy.

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