Page 9 of Big Bad Wolf

I feel my soul leave my body. It hovers above us to better see Vasily Volkov, the hottest man who ever lived, hitting on me in full view of upper Manhattan. I want to remember this moment always. Even if we’re utterly incompatible, I’ll never come this close to perfection again.

“I think I wasn’t supposed to see you until tomorrow evening. And why are you calling me that?” I tip my head as my stunned gaze travels past his barrel chest, lingering momentarily on his dark, full lips before settling on the pale-green pools of his dreamy, lash-lined eyes. He wears his smoldering sex appeal casually, like he has no idea every little thing he does drives me wild. I never knew men like him existed.

Vasily smirks and reclines into the seat, getting comfortable for a long drive I haven’t endorsed. “Scarlett Rossi.”He stresses every syllable and then salaciously licks his lips.

My nipples tighten as I watch the movement of his tongue, imagining it in so many places.

“Both your names mean red. Were you born like this?” He threads the tips of his fingers through the length of my hair, lifting the ends to his nose.

Why am I not screaming? Why haven’t I put up a fight? A strange man who kidnapped me off the street is sniffing my hair, and the only thing I can do is silently thank God it’s freshly washed.

This is insanity. For all I know he could be driving me to my death.

“Born like what?” I’m too dazed to keep up. I’ve never been in such close proximity to someone like him. I’m breathing the same air with a dangerous criminal and the hottest man I’ve ever met.

“The red? Does the carpet match the drapes, sweetheart?” His cocky smile and offensive remark make me snap back into reality.

I blink rapidly, sucking in air and hoping to awaken my oxygen-deprived brain. There’s something about Vasily that makes me forget how to do simple tasks like remembering to breathe. Fortunately, his tacky personality saves me from surrendering all good sense.

I narrow my gaze and purse my lips with anger. “That’s none of your damn business! Where are we going? This isn’t the way to the office. And how the hell do you always know where I am? Is there a LoJack on my ass?” My sanity and sass return and the fire festering in my belly emerges from my clenched throat. I hate that stupiddoes the carpet match the drapesquestion. “Pull over this instant!”

Ralph looks over his shoulder but doesn’t change trajectory. He lifts his head to glance in the rearview mirror, but Vasily waves his hand and demands he continue.

He turns to me and stifles the ridiculous grin plastered across his face. “Stop being such a baby. I’m only teasing you. My carpet matches my drapes.” He laughs while fidgeting with his belt buckle. “Look, I’ll show you.”

I hold my hands out and close my eyes, turning to look out the window in case I’m tempted to take a peek. This car ride has devolved into madness. “No one wants to see your carpet. You’re horrible. Do you know that?” My cheeks heat with mortification. I don’t know if I’m more shocked that he wanted to show me or how badly I wanted to see him.

“I’m only kidding, Red. And I apologize for my joke. As a matter of fact, I know you’re a natural redhead. I just enjoy getting a rise out of you.” Vasily shifts closer, the warmth of his massive body making me swoon into his chest. I press my hand against his shoulder, avoiding the sculpted silhouette of his hard pecs, and recline into the door, wishing it would accidentally open and save me from this awkward situation.

My narrowed gaze tapers to a squint as my mind twists with humbling thoughts of being watched at my most vulnerable. I’m appalled. “How do you know I’m natural? Have you been peeping into my apartment?” I try to wiggle away, but he holds firm to my waist. This audacious man is absolutely incorrigible, and I refuse to spend one more second indulging in his tasteless humor.

“Your eyelashes are red,” he replies without missing a beat.

“Oh, I see.” I turn my head, fearful he’ll see my hot cheeks of shame. I feel like a child around him. “You’re freaking me out, Vas. I don’t understand what you want from me.”

“There’s no denying I’m watching you, Red,” he states matter-of-factly, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “When I decide I want something, I move mountains to get it. And you’re what I want, baby. But my stalking isn’t entirely self-serving. You don’t know how many made men have it out for your father. I want to keep you safe.”

His words fill me with dread, but I don’t want him to believe I’m concerned about my father’s less-than-stellar security team. He’s in bed with cutthroat men who can’t afford to kill such a powerful politician. It would be much easier to use his only child against him. I would be nothing but collateral damage.

“I’m fine. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Vasily tightens his grip on my waist, clasping both sides and hoisting me onto his lap. He spreads my legs, and I straddle his thighs to regain my balance. Stunned by his brash behavior, I push my palms onto his chest to keep him at bay. It’s much too soon for this.

“You’re horrible.” I squirm against him, suddenly stopping when I feel the steel bulge tenting his jeans.

“Iamhorrible. You can ask around. Everyone will tell you I’m a fucking nightmare.” Vasily slips my coat off my shoulders and cinches it on my elbows, holding me captive and unable to fight. “But you’re a dream, baby.My dream.” His green eyes meet mine, and his lips part, drawing a slow breath as I stare, frightened and titillated by a pair of wide black pupils.

My heart melts into my roiling belly, churning with questions I’m too afraid to ask.

What does it mean? How is this possible? Vasily Volkov probably has a horde of Russian girlfriends lined up across Little Odessa, clamoring to show him a good time. No one would accuse me of being glamorous. I’m a pampered, sheltered virgin who hasn’t had a date in years.

“I’m going to kiss you,” he murmurs, pulling me so close I can feel the scruff of his beard against my chin.

“No, you shouldn’t.” My protest emerges as no more than an unbelievable squeak, a lie solidified when I smash my lips against his, afraid we’ll reach our destination before I get a kiss.

“Little Red, I always knew you had this in you.” Vasily deepens our kiss, moaning against my lips and invading my mouth with his tongue. His mammoth arms pull me into his chest, and he crushes my breasts against his solid pecs. “Tell me you want me, sweetheart,” he breathes the words against my neck, scraping his teeth against my flesh as he trails his lips behind my ear. “Say it, baby. You know there’s something here. I’ve known it since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

“You have?” I whimper, shamelessly grinding against his turgid cock, the closest I’ve ever come to feeling one between my legs.

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