Relief greeted me. The tension drained from his expression as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, which relaxed as a soft exhale escaped him. While I couldn’t tell him the truth of what happened, I was glad I dispelled any question they may have had on that front.
“Good. You didn’t explain the argument, so I wanted to clarify that it didn’t end in a way he knows better. Especially given his behavior the last time he was here.”
I met his gaze, offering a small, understanding smile, but remained silent. He wasn’t going to get me to say anything else. I had to silently acknowledge that Sophia had probably asked him to probe. I couldn’t be mad, though. It only showed the depth of their concern.
Aiming a sheepish look at me, he ran his hand across the edge of his desk. “My wife is convinced that you rejected an offer of exclusivity with him or that you were trying to come between them.”
I shifted nervously, knowing each word I said needed to be carefully crafted. He was a smart man. If I said too much, there would be more questions. My mind went blank, but he was waiting for an answer.
“I promise at no time did I deceive or lie to one of your sons about the other. There was no argument about exclusivity, as it was an equal share…” My voice trailed off.
I had officially lost my mind. Of all the things to focus on, I went there? Was I really going to explain the ins and outs of how I slept with his sons? I looked down at my lap, feeling beyond embarrassed.
“See, I can almost understand Alek and Nik. They were so damn close as twins. When they were small, they couldn’t stand to be apart from one another. But all three of them?”
I sensed his turmoil and understood why it would be confusing. He might wonder why on earth they would want to share me. But love was love, and I consoled myself that it didn’t have to make sense to them. Besides, I wouldn’t be around long enough for it to matter.
“It’s extremely unconventional, I know. As I told your wife, I don’t intend to continue the relationship. It’s my hope being here will help ease the tension between them all. At least, I hope it makes Ivan more comfortable. I hate seeing him so upset, and it breaks my heart that he’s at odds with Alek and Nik.”
“I appreciate you saying that, Ms. Taylor.”
“I’m trying to bow out as graciously as I can, I promise.”
Chapter 33
Kinsley
Making Promises
“What are you promising,kotyonok?” Alek asked, leaning against the doorway of the library.
He completely startled me to where I jumped. Even his father straightened and studied him.
“Noth…nothing,” I stammered, my face flushing.
I had no idea how much he’d heard, but from his expression, he’d heard enough. I clutched the book tighter to my chest.
“Kinsley, will you wait for me in your room, please? I’d like a word with my father.”
I got up, thanked his father for letting me borrow the book in my hand, and went to leave.
Alek stopped me and whispered in my ear. “I intend to show you how much this relationship will continue. When I said wait, I meant I want you in standing wait position.”
I sucked in my breath and nodded. His demeanor was undeniable and made my heart race, and I hurried to my room. I stood around for a few minutes, not knowing what to do first. It was only then I noticed I was still clutching the book.
After placing it on the side table, I moved to undress. Standing wait position was naked, legs shoulder-width apart, hands clasped behind your back, head up with eyes downcast, and tits out. I wanted to put more lotion on them but wasn’t sure how much time I had.
As I stood at the end of my bed, a sense of déjà vu hit.Dear god, don’t let anyone else walk in. If his mother did, I’d die of humiliation. While most of what we’d done sexually thus far was crazy erotic for me, it was tame for them. Given what I knew both about the BDSM lifestyle and their demeanors, we had barely scratched the surface of what we could do with one another.
Alek’s tone was unmistakable tonight. Our text messages from earlier came back to me. He wanted to take me there, to show me the real Alek.Could I handle it?I stood trembling as I waited with a mix of fear and anticipation.
The sudden creak of the door opening snapped me out of my mindless ramblings. But it was the sound of the lock engaging that had a shiver racing through my body. I kept my eyes downcast and saw him walking over. He stood directly in front of me while I concentrated on his shoes.
The suit sharpened every edge of him, as if the fabric itself was complicit in the danger he carried. How had I missed that this morning? Power clung to him like cologne, rich and heady. Damn, he turned me on.
He slid off his jacket and draped it over the chaise lounge, each movement deliberate. My gaze tracked every inch of him, heat coiling tighter with every breath. Composure? Gone. I was already on the verge of combustion. And the man hadn’t even touched me yet.
“Do you have your list ready?” His voice was smooth, hypnotic, and lyrical. It rumbled through me and lingered in my ears. The throbbing between my legs was distracting as desire pulsed through me.
