Chapter 27

Anton

"Ihad something laid out for you to wear tonight."

"Do I have a choice?" Mishka asked, giving me an arch look. There was that fiery spirit of hers. I hoped she never lost it. I also hoped she wore the dress I had selected. I could not wait to see her wear it, and show her off. She turned heads in anything she wore, but in this outfit… I had no doubt jaws would drop and traffic would stop. She was just that beautiful.

So yes, I wanted her to wear the dress. And hopefully she would allow me to remove it from her after dinner. I would unzip it slowly, then let it pool around her slender ankles. I wanted to see the bare skin of her back, and her gorgeous body in luxurious lingerie…

Get a hold of yourself, Anton. One thing at a time. First, you need her to actually put the damned dress on!

"Yes, of course. If you have something that you want to wear. This is a business dinner," I added, hoping that would make her more amenable.

"Are you sure you want me there? To hear your business?"

"Yes, Mishka, I want you there. I trust you."

She blinked at me, then nodded.

"I am not sure how much I want to know," she said, trailing off.

"I promise, you won't hear anything that won't be common knowledge within a day or two at most. This is all above board."

"Oh," she said, her cheeks turning pink. I knew what she had been thinking. She was thinking about the fact that I was one of most notorious criminals in the world.

For the first time in my life, I reconsidered my path. I didn't want to expose her to anything unsavory. I wanted to impress her. I wanted her to be proud of me.

Fuck. Me.

I glanced at my watch, feeling the need to retreat.

"Be ready in forty-five minutes."

She blinked. I had changed from lover to boss in an instant. I wanted to soften my words, to snatch them back. But I didn't.

She nodded and I nodded back. Then I turned on my heel to go into the master suite. I grabbed a bottle of vodka on the way, and a glass with a big chunk of ice.

I needed a drink.