Page 14 of Weeping Roses

“But what, malyshka?”

“But I have, um, rights—a life.”

My eyes flutter as his touch causes my body to respond in the most embarrassing way, and my heart is pounding as his grip tightens.

“You are fighting against me. There is no shame in giving into what your heart desires.”

His voice is soothing, almost hypnotic, and my eyes close as my body leans into his hold like the disgusting slut that I am. The heat building between my legs is rather embarrassing, and I gasp as his thumb is rubbing hard against my lips, inching inside as I open my mouth to welcome him in.

He leans down and whispers against my ear, “This can be a pleasurable experience for both of us, or it can be, shall we say, difficult. The choice is yours, my pretty English Rose. You have all the power here.”

“Do I?” My voice is high and I’m breathless as he blinds my senses to the shit I’m really in right now. He calls me his English Rose, which would be about right because roses have a habit of thriving in the deepest shit. I already know the only one with any power around here is currently wielding it like the fucking warrior he is and he is definitely taking no prisoners.

CHAPTER 8

VALENTIN

Iam resigned to a longer stay than I wanted, but at least the company is interesting. I instructed Artem to secure the other premises and to pull in help to sift through the mess that was created. He is also under instruction to track down the person responsible for breaking into the coach house, and I’m aware this won’t happen overnight.

It’s been a long day already and I intend on working well into the night as I fight my way through the mountains of paperwork the men are gathering for me now.

I’m under no illusions I’ll find anything, but it will paint a picture of the woman my father was apparently willing to risk everything for.

Polly is on edge. It’s obvious and so I shift off the desk to give her some space and wander over to the window.

“Your aunt had a beautiful home.”

“I agree.”

She sounds nervous and I wait for every reason why I shouldn’t be here to spill from those tempting lips.

“Um, Valentin.”

Hearing her speak my name makes me smile and I turn and note the blush decorating her pale skin.

“Yes, malyshka.”

“You say you’re staying until you have the answers you need. Well, um, I have commitments I really need to return to.”

“In Sussex?”

I raise my eyes and she gasps. “How do you know?”

“I know everything about you, and I also know you don’t have a job that ties to you to one destination. You work from home and as this is now one of them, you can work from here.”

I shrug. “Even if you did, it wouldn’t matter. I would arrange your extended absence with one call.”

“Why are you so arrogant?”

Her question makes me smile.

“Because it’s easy.”

“It doesn’t make it right.”

I detect the steel in her voice and smile. “Tell me about yourself, Polly.”

“I thought you already knew everything about me.”