Page 9 of Diamond Don

“My name isn’t important. What’s in a name, anyway? You know what they say, Nik. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

“Cute, but I bet even Shakespeare’s Juliet couldn’t have smelled as sweet as you.”

“Oh, you smooth talker, you. Flattery will get you everywhere.”

“Funny you should say that. As it happens, I have a specific place in mind.”

Smoothly, he brings my body flush against his. I can feel almost every inch of his deliciously masculine frame. It’s a heady and inebriating feeling.

As a self-admittedly fun-loving, hedonistic creature at heart, the mere thought of being physically apart from him is unnecessarily unpleasant. He’s my type—strong, powerful, and larger-than-life. There’s this aura of invincibility about him that is particularly impossible to resist.

I smooth my hand down his muscular chest. “Really? Well, don’t leave me hanging. It’s rude not to share with the class.”

“I’d rather show you,” he says, his eyes ablaze. “After all, if all you will give me is one dance, then I have to insist we move it somewhere private.”

Nikolai’s hand moves to my hip without a trace of hesitation, and I love every second of it. It’s no surprise. Even from a young age, I took pride in appreciating life’s finest things. In my experience, few things are as fine as a gorgeous man who would like nothing better than to show me a good time.

I always make sure to enjoy a healthy, varied diet of vigorous, red-hot, no-strings-attached sex. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time or energy to pursue this hobby for the past few months. Predictably, managing the stronzo’s demands has been an all-consuming affair. My needy libido hasn’t exactly been a priority when A.J.’s life is still at risk.

As the band plays on and Nik’s firm body brushes against mine, my misgivings and concerns start to sound terribly inconsequential. The Flame of Mir is mine, which means I won. Yes, the stronzo will get his prize—for now. But after tonight, A.J. will get a reprieve. I deserve to catch a break, too.

Since the work is done, why shouldn’t I allow myself to celebrate a little? To let off some steam? God knows I need it after the trying months I have had recently. I have certainly earned it.

Nikolai’s idea to take me somewhere we can be alone works just fine with my plan to escape this party and its nosy guests as soon as possible. In the grand scheme of things, as long as I’m departing the premises, does it matter if I do it by my lonesome self or with the man who undresses me with his eyes whenever he glances at me? Isn’t it in my best interest to have someone who would vouch for me if one of the museum’s guards notices the diamond is missing?

What an alibi.

As I gaze into Nik’s warm brown eyes, I struggle to remember why giving in to him is such a bad idea. In fact, running into him tonight seems very serendipitous, and I’m never one to go against fate.

“Let’s say I let you whisk me away,” I say. I study his expression as I run my fingernails over the back of his neck. “Once you have me all to yourself, what’s your plan?”

Nikolai seems to struggle to suppress a groan, drawing my body even closer to his. His mouthwatering scent envelopes me, and my body almost vibrates with pleasure when I feel a distractingly large bulge press against my stomach.

“I can think of a thing or two. Come with me, and I’ll gladly demonstrate,” he rasps against my skin.

“I had a feeling you’d say something like that. I won’t lie to you, Nik, I’m tempted. You drive a hard bargain.” I punctuate my words by slowly shimmying my hips against his to the languid rhythm of the song we are dancing to. He inhales sharply, and I smile in response. “But I’m afraid I’m still unconvinced. You might have to sweeten the deal.”

“All you have to do is tell me what you desire, milaya, and I’ll happily give it to you.”

“Anything I want?”

“Anything,” he says without hesitation.

His confidence in his power to provide me with anything I desire is a powerful aphrodisiac. Of course, he doesn’t know how demanding and imaginative I can be when it comes to what I want, but it doesn’t matter.

In the end, nothing else matters because with the Flame of Mir secured against my body, there is only one other thing I am craving.

Incapable of denying myself any longer, I brush his lips with mine before whispering, “Kiss me, Nik. Kiss me, and I’m yours.”

4

NIK

I’m not surprised in the slightest when the woman in front of me demands I kiss her.

This moment was inevitable from the second I saw her from across the room and decided she was mine.

One way or the other, tonight would always end with her in my arms. Everything else was just details.