“I don’t have the ring,” I say firmly. “I don’t have it.”
“I believe you.” He nods, running his thumb along my bottom lip. “Has he tried to get in touch with you again?”
“Ivan, I know your instinct is to get involved here, but please, let me handle Kieran. If you step in, it’s going to create more trouble.”
“I won’t let you put yourself in danger.” There’s the predictable fierceness I was expecting.
“I’m not in danger. Kieran knows I don’t have the stupid ring. Bringing Declan out here for nothing would just get himself in trouble. I did the one favor for him. I’m not doing another. He’s only in town for a few more days, then he goes back.”
“I could have him banned from the club.”
“You could.” I agree. “He’s a horrible hustler. Derek used to tell me stories about how Kieran would try over and over again to hustle big money and he’d end up in debt by the time the game was done. He’s a joke. The Santuccis left me a tip that night, even though I didn’t serve their room.”
Ivan laughs, a soft and low sound. “Darren mentioned that. They gave you a cut of what they were able to win off him as a thank you for setting it up.”
“He’s not a threat.”
“He put his hands on you.” Steel slips into his voice.
“I wasn’t yours at the time,” I remind him, hoping it will soften the edges of his fury.
If Kieran goes home and tells Declan I’m here, and Ivan is protecting me, it could lead to the Volkovs having a new war on their hands.
Ivan moves his hand behind my neck, pulling me to him until his forehead rests against mine.
“You were always mine.”
He inhales deeply then presses a hard kiss to my forehead.
“Why did Alexander look into my past?” I question.
“I asked him to look at Derek, to be sure there wasn’t something there.”
“You wanted to be sure the accident was an accident and not someone trying to get him? Someone that could still be chasing me?” Does his mind ever rest from playing out every wicked scenario?
“I wanted to be certain you were safe.” He trails the tips of his fingers over my shoulder. “It’s a good thing I did.”
“You’re disappointed in me for not telling you before.” I raise my chin, ready for his judgment. Unsure of how to handle it when it comes.
“I’m not disappointed. I asked you about it, and you told me the truth.” He cradles my chin in his hand. “Do you know howbeautiful you are like this? On your knees at my feet? Confessing your sins?”
I lean into his touch. Warm currents run just below my skin as he takes my mouth beneath his. It starts out soft, yielding, but soon he’s possessing me.
His hand tangles in my hair, tilting my head just as he wants it, deepening the kiss until I can’t think past the way he tastes. Spice and danger and heat. It nearly scorches me; how hot this man is.
“Take off your dress,” he orders, sinking back into his chair. The length of his erection tents his slacks.
Still somewhat dazed from his kiss, I look around. There had been men lounging in here when we arrived, are there more in other parts of the penthouse?
“No one is here. It’s just us.” He folds his left hand over his right hand, perching his elbows on the arms of the chair. “Now be my good girl and take off your dress.”
I push up to my feet and reach behind me for the low zipper. With it undone, I push the straps over my shoulders and continue sliding the material down over my hips until it falls into a silken pool at my feet.
Stepping out, I kick off my shoes with it.
“No bra?” He notes, then wags his finger at my hips. “Panties too, off.”
Hooking my thumbs into the elastic of my panties, I push them down to my ankles. After I shove them into the pile, I start to move back to my knees, but Ivan grabs my arm to still me.
