Chapter Fourteen

Samuel

“Idon’t suppose I can convince you to sleep with me tonight?”

“You have to be kidding,”

she scoffs, shaking her head at me with her rejection.

I exhale, feeling disappointed—even if I knew her answer. “Can’t blame a man for trying,”

I joke. We’re standing in the middle of our apartment after what has been the best day of my life. Isabel is getting ready to go to bed, while I have to have my phone conference here in a few minutes.

“I had a really nice time with you, Sam, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to have sex with you.”

“I didn’t say anything about sex, Izzy. I asked you to sleep with me. I want to hold you tonight in my bed. I promise nothing will happen—unless, of course, you want it to.”

“Do I look like an idiot to you?”

“I’m serious. I will be the perfect gentleman. I’ll even wear pajamas.”

She cocks an eyebrow up, staring at me in disbelief. “Do you even own a pair of pajamas?”

“Um … Okay, I’ll wear a pair of gym shorts.”

“And a T-shirt,” she adds.

For a second, I can’t breathe. I’m that shocked. Izzy is giving in. I did not expect that at all. “What’s wrong? Afraid you can’t control yourself around me, sweetheart?”

“Fine,”

she huffs. “I’ll see you in the morning, Casanova.”

“Wait!”

I call out as she starts to walk away. Hell, I probably even sound panicked. “Fine. T-shirt, too.”

She smirks at me. “You sounded a little desperate there, Sam,”

she purrs, while slapping me gently on the chest. “You should watch that.” She winks at me and walks away. I watch, admiring the view and wondering if I haven’t found the perfect woman—quite by accident. Hell, if I could go back in time, I would have flown to the states to claim this woman in person six months ago. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that she is improving my life.

I shake my head and rush to my office. This phone conversation with Avi is going to be one of the quickest I’ve ever had. Shit, I’m already dialing the number as I sit down.

“You’re early,”

Avi mutters into the phone.

“I have a wife to win over. I can’t do that if I’m on the phone with you. Is there anything I need to know about?”

“Wife? Man, you’re already married to the Navarro princess. What are you doing?”

I think about Isabel and her commanding personality, and no-time-for-shit attitude and grin. She might be a princess to the Navarro family, but the woman is more of a ball buster than her brother. Christ, she might even give Ivan a run for his money when I bring her in. I’m making her go with me tomorrow to give him that atrocity of a Christmas—shit, I can’t call that thing a tree. I have no idea what it is. I just know Ivan will laugh his ass off. I also think it’s a good thing I’m already married to Isabel. If I wasn’t, Ivan would try to steal her away. He usually likes his women a little softer, but I didn’t miss the way he looked at my woman. I was jealous—even if I didn’t want to admit it at the time.

“I’m talking about her.”

“I thought you said you were going to steer far away from the Navarros while you were over there. You said and I quote, I don’t want that fucking woman clinging and begging for my dick until I’m forced to.”

I lose myself in the thought of Isabel begging for my dick. I’m instantly hard picturing her on her knees as I palm my erection. I can literally see her licking her lips, salvia running down my shaft because I’ve just slid from between her lips. The thought of her begging me to give it back, to fuck her mouth …

Christ. I’m going to have to take a cold shower and rub one out in there. If I don’t, I’ll never keep my hands to myself tonight.

“I believe I said I didn’t want her trying to lay claim to me until I was forced to put up with it.”

“Semantics,”

he discounts, making me roll my eyes.

“Natalia Isabel Navarro would never beg a man for anything,”

I tell him proudly. “Hell, she might be the only person to make me beg.”

“Fuck, you went to America and lost your mind, Samuel.”

I grin. “Probably. Now, back to work. I want to hurry so I can be the big spoon for my woman.”

“Big spoon? Do not let the fucking Volkov family ever hear that coming from your mouth.”

“Yeah, well, the Volkov family can suck my dick. Are they still causing issues?”

“Minor ones. Denis likes to run his mouth. I’m handling it. His brother Arkadi is keeping him under a tight leash.”

“Good. You will keep me updated. I’m thinking of mostly staying here in Phoenix. That will leave you in charge. If you are against that, let me know now Avi. I can always make other arrangements.”

“I’m fine. We’ve spoken about this before.”

“I know. I don’t think my mind was made-up until I met Izzy, though. She’s settled here. I want her happy. I think I’d even leave the family if it meant making sure she stayed that way.”

“I’m going to need to meet this woman in person. I’m not quite sure what to think about the change in you, Samuel. I’ve known you since we were both small children. I cannot recall you ever being willing to change for anyone—not even Angelina.”

I take a second to think about what Avi just said. He’s right. I wasn’t willing to change for her. It’s one reason I went so long without her in my life. If I think back, I didn’t even regret walking away from her. In comparison, the thought of leaving Isabel is unimaginable to me. One day with her and I don’t want to spend another night without her.

“It’s the first time I’ve felt like this,”

I admit. “Now catch me up on what I need so I can get back to her.” Avi laughs, but switches to business mode. I somehow push thoughts of Isabel away so that I can function, but damn it … I don’t want to.