“Is that so?”
“Yes. The first rule of dating where there may be drinking, is never take a drink from a stranger. You never know what might be in it. But I still think it’s cute.” She broke the seal and took a small sip.
“Smart girl, except you wound me. Strangers? Is that what we are?”
“Hmm, practically. Why’d you choose the rosé?”
“Because it’s all you, wrapped up in a small package. From the delicate pale-pink color, each sip of you, I’d dare say, is lush with flavor. Tropical passionfruit, zesty citrus, and refreshing melon.”
“Don’t forget honeysuckle,” she teased, surprising me yet again.
After taking a sip, she grew quiet. We settled in, and aside from the music that played, which she alternated between singing and humming, the silence between us was comfortable.
I was learning her body’s signals, which made me smile. The more I uncovered, the easier it would be to get her where I wanted her. Flashes of her under me, on top of me, and bent over in front of me dried out my mouth.
“What’s that look for?” she asked, finishing her drink.
“Just thinking about the hot springs. The last time I was there, it was perfection. Did you know you can soak sans swimsuit if you wish?”
“I’d swear if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were all of fifteen. Tell me something about yourself.” She twisted her hands in her lap.
“Let’s see, Nikolai and I are twins. I’m the oldest by seven minutes.”
“That explains the whole bossy nature of yours. How old are you?”
“Nik and I are thirty-one. Ivan’s the baby. He’s thirty.”
“Baby? That man? Nah, he was probably born toddler-size. Ouch.”
I threw my head back in laughter. “Out of all of us children, he was actually the smallest—five measly little pounds.”
“You lie? What the hell does he eat?”
“You’re killing me.” I was going to say more, but the pilot announced our descent. She once more grabbed my hand and squeezed her eyes closed, and I reveled in the action.
Marcus was waiting for us at the airport. I ushered her to the car, and she gave him a friendly wave, causing the normally stoic man to break out into a grin. He liked her and was the only one who hadn’t given me so much shit about my obsession.
She once more asserted herself by taking over the Bluetooth. Providing another show that left me adjusting my cock, not giving a shit if she saw.
“Marcus, what branch did you serve in?” she asked during one of the breaks in songs, changing the mood in the car. She had a mischievous grin on her face as she stared at me.
“Who said I served?”
I could tell from his tone he was grinning.
“It’s in everything you do. In the way you look around, move, walk, and talk. How long have you been keeping the Kings safe?” She paused, licking her lips, and I waited for her to say “and warm.”
“Special ops, Ms. Taylor. And what’s it now, Alek, five years?”
“Yes, Marcus.”
“Wow, impressive.” She grinned. “You must feel quite safe and warm all the time," she said before addressing Marcus again. "I wonder, where did Alek find you?”
“I beg your pardon, Ms. Taylor. Are you looking for a recommendation for a bodyguard?” He laughed.
“I may be in need of one.”
I leaned over, and her lips parted. “If you keep looking at me like that, young lady, you absolutely will.” I grabbed her hand and kissed it, watching as her body reacted. “Full of fucking surprises. Are you flirting with me, kitten?”
