Page 48 of Weeping Roses
“Tell me what your idea of a good night would be.”
“I think you already know the answer to that, Polly.”
I run my gaze unashamedly down her body, and she shivers with delight and then rolls her eyes.
“No, tell me the most unusual evening you’ve ever spent.”
“Unusual.” I raise my eyes and the devil inside me takes over because I really want to see the expression on her face when I paint the sordid picture of my usual nights out.
“There’s a place in New York I am rather fond of, but I make certain to hire my companion for the night.”
“I don’t understand. Hire what?”
I lean back and regard her through enigmatic eyes and say devilishly, “A paid escort for the evening, whore if you like.”
“Why?” Her eyes widen and she appears confused and I point to the table.
“The dining there is a completely different experience. You see, the woman lies naked on the table.”
“No way!”
The shock in her expression amuses me and I nod. “Yes, my food is served on my companion’s body, and I feed her that way. I dine from her skin as a plate and she is instructed not to move an inch.”
“Surely the food is cold, though.”
It makes me laugh because trust Polly to be sidelined by the practicalities.
“I mean, you wouldn’t want any veloutes or jus running down your back, would you?”
Her amused grin makes me laugh out loud as she adds, “What about the meat? Surely it’s already cut. I mean, taking a steak knife to your companion is surely considered in bad taste.”
Her wicked smile lights my world as she continues, “How do you clean it up afterward? I mean, she wouldn’t fit inside the dishwasher and it would be a very uncomfortable ride home on your pristine seats. Oh no, Valentin, that wouldn’t do at all. I like my food firmly on a plate because I know where I am with that.”
Her amused grin elevates her even higher in my opinion, and I’m surprised once again. I thought she would be embarrassed, shocked even, but she appears to see the humor of the situation rather than the depravity.
“So, when are we going?”
“You want to try it? That surprises me.”
She cocks her head to one side and says with a wink, “If you like it so much, it must be an amazing experience and I’m getting kind of addicted to your world, Valentin. It sounds like fun.”
As the waiter appears with the wine, we stay silent as he pours a sample into my glass and I hold her gaze as I swill the liquid around my mouth. The lust sparkling back at me only infatuates me more, and I set my glass down and nod to the waiter who proceeds to fill our glasses. We say nothing until he walks away and then I lean forward and say huskily, “It’s a date then.”
“Okay.” She raises her glass to mine, but I detect the nerves behind her smile and the devil in me knows she was bluffing, but I’m not chivalrous enough to let her off the hook that easily. Yes, showing Polly how I like to get my kicks will be a pleasure and if she thinks this is going to be over some time soon for her, she’s got another thing coming.
CHAPTER 28
POLLY
Half way through the meal, Valentin receives a call and his irritated expression tells me he won’t be ignoring it. He answers with an abrupt, “Yes.”
As he listens, the thunderous rage that lies permanently in his eyes deepens, causing me to stop breathing.
“And you’re certain about that?” He says gruffly and from the anger in his eyes I can tell that whatever it is concerns him a lot.
“Make the arrangements.” He says simply and cuts the call, drumming his fingers on the starched tablecloth.
“Is everything okay?” I ask hesitantly, and he shakes his head, a murderous glint in his eye that terrifies my soul. His earlier good humor has been replaced with a man who is scaring the panties off me because, at this moment, I see exactly what Valentin Romanov is capable of.